ND's Continued Response to Commencement 2009

In response to the fallout from its decision to award President Obama an honorary degree at this past year's commencement, Notre Dame formed a task force to recommend changes and improvements to its efforts to “broaden and deepen the pro-life culture in and among various constituencies in order to strengthen the Notre Dame community’s witness to Catholic teaching on life.”

The task force is composed of Margaret Brinig, Fritz Duda Family Professor of Law; John Cavadini, associate professor and chair of theology and McGrath-Cavadini Director of the Institute for Church Life; Ann Astell, Professor of Theology; Kathleen Kelley, student; Mary Ellen Konieczny, Assistant Professor of Sociology; Rev. William Lies, C.S.C., Director of the Center for Social Concerns; and Rev. Mark Poorman, C.S.C., Vice President for Student Affairs.

The task force has issued its preliminary recommendations, which include plans for the following:

• Research and academic programs
• Investment policies
• Pregnant student policies
• Alumni Association efforts

In addition, President John Jenkins will hold a mass at Notre Dame for the students travelling to Washington DC for this year's March for Life.  He will also travel to Washington as the head of the Notre Dame delegation, becoming the first Notre Dame President to make the trip.

Next year's Commencement speaker will be NBC News anchor, Brian Williams.