In 2022, Eric Goins was deployed to Poland as a U.S. Army Signal Corps Officer following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Today, he’s pursuing a dual MBA and Master of Global Affairs degree at Notre Dame—and is also a walk-on kicker for the Fighting Irish football team. After graduation, Goins plans to continue serving his country as a civilian.Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman, whose father served in the United States Air Force, has a deep appreciation for the military. Freeman expressed pride in welcoming Goins to the team, recognizing the unique perspective and dedication veterans bring to the field.While Notre Dame’s ROTC program has long been at the core of campus military engagement, a growing number of active duty members and veterans are now part of the University community. Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Ken Heckel ’96, director of Notre Dame’s Office of Military & Veterans Affairs (OMVA), is leading efforts to expand support for this group.“For the millions of veterans who’ve selflessly served our country, Notre Dame has both the honor and the responsibility to serve them,” Heckel says. His work is helping to build a robust military community on campus, ensuring veterans and active duty members feel supported as they pursue their education.Learn more at fightingfor.nd.edu/2024/fighting-to-serve-others-above-self

The Notre Dame Forum brought together Israelis, Palestinians, and others who care deeply about the region and seek to break through the status quo and overcome division and polarization for a conversation on November 11, 2024.Supported by the work of the OneVoice Movement, these peacemakers advocated for a shared future that unlocks the full potential of both peoples. They also seek to empower voices that foster depolarization in discourse about the region in the United States in order to build support for the notion that Israeli-Palestinian coexistence is possible.Speakers include:Nidal Foqaha - Director General, Palestinian Peace Coalition Ezzeldeen Masri - Chief Field Officer, PeaceWorks Foundation and OneVoice Movement Tehila Wenger - Deputy Director, The Geneva Initiative and Lisa Schirch - Richard G. Starmann, Sr. Professor of the Practice of Peace Studies, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre DameSince its establishment in 2005, each year the Notre Dame Forum invites campus-wide dialogue about issues of importance to the University, the nation, and the larger world. The 2024-25 Forum focuses on the theme, "What Do We Owe Each Other?"