Notre Dame College continued its original programming in celebration of its centennial with an all-campus Day of Service.
More than 100 students, faculty, staff, alumni Sisters of Notre Dame and other community members volunteered at 10 different sites across Northeast Ohio, providing at least two hours of service the morning of Saturday, September 24.
Serving others is a central part of the Catholic faith and the legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame. It draws on the College’s diversity and offers members of the campus community to grow in their responsibility as they take on leadership and help provide for the needs of others, according to Anita Yoder, assistant director of campus ministry at Notre Dame.
Many of the participants including groups of students in the same majors and student-athletes representing their sports teams. Volunteers included groups of business, education and nursing majors and team members from men’s and women’s basketball, softball, women’s bowling and wrestling.
Acts of Service
Service activities encompassed health care-related assistance to the Sisters of Notre Dame in Chardon, led by Greg Knapik, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing, and Monica Bruck, administrative coordinator for the Division of Nursing at Notre Dame. Another group aided the Sisters in preparing for their craft boutique.
Business students at the College organized by Lucian Vatamanu. Ph.D., assistant professor of finance, and Michael Rusek, C.P.A., visiting professor of business, not only helped organize the nursery at the Salvation Army in East Cleveland but also had the opportunity to discuss business aspects of the organization with administrators.
Notre Dame education majors and alumni, joined by Sue Corbin, Ph.D., professor and chair of the professional education division and Sr. Eileen Quinlan, SND, Ph.D., professor emerita of English and a 1974 graduate of the College, served at the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. The group literally walked across the street from the College in South Euclid to help clean books and tidy up the grounds.
Student-athletes on the Notre Dame women’s bowling and wrestling teams participated in beach cleanup for the Cleveland MetroParks at Euclid Beach in Cleveland.
Men’s basketball players volunteered at two different sites: Disciples Christian Church in Cleveland Heights, where they contributed to grounds maintenance and cleared out the basement; and the Community Partnership on Aging in South Euclid, to aid elderly residents with yard work. The women’s basketball team assisted the city of South Euclid with outdoor cleanup.
Members of the Falcons softball team joined others to help organize a rummage sale, care for babies and clean at Zelie’s Home in Garfield Heights, an organization that empowers pregnant and parenting women. Softball players, with Ted Steiner, schief mission officer and director of campus ministry at the College, and Desiree Morrison, assistant director of counseling, prevention and outreach at Notre Dame; worked on campus in the food pantry, with suicide awareness efforts and grounds cleanup.
Additional Site Leaders
Service site team leaders also included: Kristin Butterfield, M.Ed., a double alumna of Notre Dame, director of the online bookstore and a student success advisor; Debra Dacone, D.Min., assistant professor of theology; Sr. Carol Ditkovisky, SND; Chris Gill, Ph.D., dean of students; Sandra Golden, Ph.D., director of diversity, equity and inclusion and associate professor in the College’s division of professional education; Imani Gordon, women’s basketball head coach; Scott McCloud, TRIO Student Support Services administrative assistant; Tony Mauceri, M.B.A., business administration division chair and assistant professor for management and human resources; David Orosz, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and Marie Goetz Geier Distinguished Professor of STEM; Louise Prochaska, Ph.D., a 1964 alumna and professor emerita of theology and women’s studies; Tom Reid, women’s bowling head coach; Mark Richmond, men’s basketball head coach; Carol Sisson, assistant director of the College’s Thrive Learning Center; Kelsey Stopp, head softball coach; Jordon Tague, assistant wrestling coach; and Duncan Williams, assistant men’s basketball coach.
Added Contributions
While several volunteers provided their own transportation to service sites, the Browns Backers from Cleveland and Precious Cargo in Newbury Township, Ohio, contributed buses, while Notre Dame offered vans. Participants were treated to a free lunch and Notre Dame men’s rugby game against Army on campus following their service.
The Day of Service planning team featured Corbin, Ditkovisky, Prochaska, Richmond, Steiner and Yoder, among others, with support from Karen Poelking, centennial coordinator, and the Centennial Steering Committee.
September 2022
About Notre Dame College
Notre Dame College is a private, Catholic, liberal arts college in South Euclid, Ohio, committed to teaching students how to make a good living and live a good life. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1922, the College offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines plus a variety of master’s degrees, certification programs and continuing and professional development programs for adult learners on campus and online. For more information, visit NotreDameCollege.edu.