As a result of this change, FIRE has been reclassified as a College Institute instead of a University Institute, now reporting to Mendoza’s Office of the Dean rather than the 91³Ô¹Ï Office of the Provost. The reclassification benefits FIRE, Mendoza and the University by aligning the Institute more closely with Mendoza’s faculty and academic programs while continuing its support of the world-class real estate education and research across the University.

“Real estate is a critically important topic of study for many academic disciplines, very much including business, as it sits at the intersection of finance, markets, the real economy, households and the common good of communities,� said , Martin J. Gillen Dean of the Mendoza College of Business.

“Bringing the Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate into the business school strengthens the Institute’s academic foundation and will create new opportunities for faculty research and collaboration across the University,� Cremers added. “The Institute will continue to serve faculty and students interested in real estate across the University, so that, accordingly, this change will better integrate the business school within the University.�

Founded to advance real estate education and research at 91³Ô¹Ï, FIRE supports one of the University’s most popular academic offerings: the real estate minor offered through the Department of Finance at Mendoza, which in spring 2026 enrolled more than 500 undergraduate students from 28 majors across the University. The multidisciplinary program combines coursework in real estate finance, economics, architecture and other disciplines, and offers experiential learning opportunities and engagement with industry professionals.

The Institute also contributes to graduate business education at Mendoza, offering real estate courses and programming for 91³Ô¹Ï MBA students interested in real estate investment, development and capital markets.

The research of FIRE’s affiliated faculty examines real estate markets, housing, finance and the built environment. Among them is , associate professor of finance, whose research focuses on real estate finance, housing markets and mortgage securitization.

“Locating FIRE within Mendoza gives the Institute a natural academic home and connects our work more directly with faculty whose research intersects with real estate,â€� said , executive director of the Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate. “It will help strengthen research collaborations, expand educational opportunities, create new opportunities for 91³Ô¹Ï students to engage with professionals in the real estate industry, and allow the Institute to remain multidisciplinary.â€�

Beyond its academic programs, FIRE leads initiatives that examine important challenges related to land use, housing and community development.

The Institute’s explores how churches and religious institutions can steward their land and buildings in ways that support both their mission and the needs of surrounding communities. Through research, convenings and collaboration with scholars and practitioners, the initiative examines issues such as adaptive reuse, land use and the sustainable development of faith-based property.

FIRE also advances research and dialogue on housing challenges through its initiative, which brings together academics, policymakers and industry professionals to examine the structural causes of housing shortages and explore solutions to expand access to affordable housing.

FIRE will continue to support interdisciplinary research and partnerships across the University, including its ongoing partnership with 91³Ô¹Ï’s , and . Ongoing collaborations have also included joint faculty hires with the College of Arts and Letters and the development of study abroad courses offered by , director of undergraduate programs for FIRE, along with faculty in Architecture.

Before the first home football game of each season, FIRE hosts , its real estate career fair that brings leading firms to campus to connect with 91³Ô¹Ï students interested in internships and full-time opportunities in real estate, as well as the FIRE Fall Kickoff, a one-day conference which welcomes hundreds of alumni back to campus to meet students and network with other real estate professionals.

“FIRE is proud to now be housed within Mendoza,� O’Malley said. “This change supports our vision of real estate serving as a powerful force for good. The move will accelerate stronger connections between our academic programs, faculty research and the real estate industry.

The University of 91³Ô¹Ï’s (FIRE) has joined the , giving the institute a new academic home.

As a result of this change, FIRE has been reclassified as a College Institute instead of a University Institute, now reporting to Mendoza’s Office of the Dean rather than the 91³Ô¹Ï Office of the Provost. The reclassification benefits FIRE, Mendoza and the University by aligning the institute more closely with Mendoza’s faculty and academic programs while continuing its support of the world-class real estate education and research across the University.

“Real estate is a critically important topic of study for many academic disciplines, very much including business, as it sits at the intersection of finance, markets, the real economy, households and the common good of communities,� said , Martin J. Gillen Dean of the Mendoza College of Business.

“Bringing the Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate into the business school strengthens the institute’s academic foundation and will create new opportunities for faculty research and collaboration across the University,� Cremers added. “The institute will continue to serve faculty and students interested in real estate across the University, so that, accordingly, this change will better integrate the business school within the University.�

Founded to advance real estate education and research at 91³Ô¹Ï, FIRE supports one of the University’s most popular academic offerings: the real estate minor offered through the Department of Finance at Mendoza, which in spring 2026 enrolled more than 500 undergraduate students from 28 majors across the University. The multidisciplinary program combines coursework in real estate finance, economics, architecture and other disciplines, and offers experiential learning opportunities and engagement with industry professionals.

The institute also contributes to graduate business education at Mendoza, offering real estate courses and programming for 91³Ô¹Ï MBA students interested in real estate investment, development and capital markets.

The research of FIRE’s affiliated faculty examines real estate markets, housing, finance and the built environment. Among them is , associate professor of finance, whose research focuses on real estate finance, housing markets and mortgage securitization.

“Locating FIRE within Mendoza gives the institute a natural academic home and connects our work more directly with faculty whose research intersects with real estate,â€� said , executive director of the Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate. “It will help strengthen research collaborations, expand educational opportunities, create new opportunities for 91³Ô¹Ï students to engage with professionals in the real estate industry and allow the Institute to remain multidisciplinary.â€�

Beyond its academic programs, FIRE leads initiatives that examine important challenges related to land use, housing and community development.

The institute’s explores how churches and religious institutions can steward their land and buildings in ways that support both their mission and the needs of surrounding communities. Through research, convenings and collaboration with scholars and practitioners, the initiative examines issues such as adaptive reuse, land use and the sustainable development of faith-based property.

FIRE also advances research and dialogue on housing challenges through its initiative, which brings together academics, policymakers and industry professionals to examine the structural causes of housing shortages and explore solutions to expand access to affordable housing.

FIRE will continue to support interdisciplinary research and partnerships across the University, including its ongoing partnership with 91³Ô¹Ï’s , and . Ongoing collaborations have also included joint faculty hires with the College of Arts and Letters and the development of study abroad courses offered by , director of undergraduate programs for FIRE, along with faculty in architecture.

Before the first home football game of each season, FIRE hosts , its real estate career fair that brings leading firms to campus to connect with 91³Ô¹Ï students interested in internships and full-time opportunities in real estate, as well as the FIRE Fall Kickoff, a one-day conference which welcomes hundreds of alumni back to campus to meet students and network with other real estate professionals.

“FIRE is proud to now be housed within Mendoza,� O’Malley said. “This change supports our vision of real estate serving as a powerful force for good. The move will accelerate stronger connections between our academic programs, faculty research and the real estate industry.

The allows candidates with little or no work experience, including college seniors, the chance to secure admission before reaching the recommended three years of work experience to enroll.

“91³Ô¹Ï’s Mendoza College of Business is eager to support those candidates who have strong career aspirations, but who may not yet have the work experience recommended to enroll in our College,â€� saidÌý, associate dean for the 91³Ô¹Ï MBA. “We are excited to build upon the high standards of our 91³Ô¹Ï MBA program by welcoming applications from prospective students who have great potential and impressive trajectories.â€�

The steps for the 91³Ô¹Ï MBA Deferred Admission Program are as follows:

• Candidates submit their applications during their final undergraduate year and up to two years post-graduation.
• They may receive their deferred admission offer to join the 91³Ô¹Ï MBA program once they have gained three to five years of work experience.
• They spend their deferred years gaining work experience and staying engaged with the 91³Ô¹Ï community.
• When ready, the candidates submit their final application materials and enter the 91³Ô¹Ï MBA program.

“The Deferred Admission Program prepares students for success in the program and their careers,â€� said , senior director of graduate enrollment at Mendoza. “They gain peace of mind by mapping out their future and can focus on building the career experience that employers value. At the same time, they are building their support network here at 91³Ô¹Ï through engagement with our staff and opportunities to attend events.â€�

During the deferral period, candidates have access to annual fall check-ins with a dedicated admissions contact, a professional development portal and invitations to campus events. For more information, including application requirements, please visit the .

“The 91³Ô¹Ï MBA Deferral Program is about more than securing a seat in a future MBA class. It’s about starting a relationship with 91³Ô¹Ï that will grow throughout a student’s career,â€� Bern said. “By providing a clear path and strong support network, we’re helping future leaders not only prepare for professional success, but also carry forward our mission to ‘Grow the Good in Business.’â€�

For more information about the , contact Claire Fitzgibbon, senior director of graduate enrollment, at mba.business@nd.edu.

Just as the last note of “The Star-Spangled Bannerâ€� fades, Navarro (MBA ’27) will make his grand entrance roaring a thousand feetÌýabove the field in his F-15 fighter jet. Navarro, a United States Air Force Test Pilot School graduate, and four other pilots have the honor of performing a military flyover for the game — an event they actively sought and exerted considerable effort to arrange.

Flying in a four-jet formation, the pilots include 91³Ô¹Ï alumnus Maj. Trent “Wreckâ€� McMullen (USAF F-15 pilot), Maj. Red “Odinâ€� Artz (USAF F-15 pilot), Joe “Sloppyâ€� McGill (USAF F-16 pilot, retired) and Flt. Lt. Simon “Riddersâ€� Ridley (British Exchange F-16 pilot). Navarro, aka Maj. Maximo “Moneyâ€� Navarro, flies with McMullen (ND ’12) in the F-15E Strike Eagle, which is a crew aircraft.

“Think of me like Goose flying with Maverick,� he said.

The crew will take off from Homestead Air Reserve Base in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The pilots will sync up with a member of the ground crew to ensure they fly over during the very last note of the national anthem. From there, they circle the field before returning to the base, where a police escort will meet them and rush them back to the field for the rest of the game.

As a test pilot for the U.S. Air Force and current 91³Ô¹Ï MBA student, Navarro said the flyover is a meaningful way for him to show up for his new Irish community. “Honestly, I wish I could give you a more noble answer for why I wanted to do the flyover other than I think it’ll be really cool to fly with Trent, who’s a Domer, and especially as a current MBA student. It’s just being part of the 91³Ô¹Ï community.â€�

Somanchi was a widely respected teacher and scholar whose research focused on large-scale data and machine learning, primarily in health care. His research broke new ground in the academic landscape by drawing on social science and statistical machine learning to develop and deploy methods that bridge these related but distinct disciplines.

“Sriram was a wonderful person and adored by all who knew him,� said Ken Kelley, senior associate dean of faculty and research at Mendoza College of Business. “He was a skilled teacher and brilliant scholar who helped put the IT, Analytics, and Operations Department on the map as a methodology-rigorous and forward-looking department. His loss leaves a void to the College and the field.�

Somanchi’s research was published in top academic journals, including the Journal of Machine Learning Research, Management Information Systems Quarterly, Production and Operations Management and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, as well as leading conferences. He earned his doctoral degree in information systems and management from Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). He is a graduate of the Machine Learning Department at CMU and earned a master’s degree in computer science from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India.

His many research and teaching awards include the Health IT and Analytics in Action award for the most impactful case study, the Academy of Management’s “Best Accepted Paper,� the Conference on Health IT and Analytics’ Young Researcher Award, and the Zac Plantz Memorial Award for Undergraduate Teaching Excellence.

“Sriram was an amazing person and respected scholar. He always had a smile on his face and kind words to say,� said Katie Wowak, Robert and Sara Lumpkins Associate Professor of Business Analytics at Mendoza College of Business. “He will be deeply missed by the ITAO family.�

A will take place at 10 a.m. to noon EDT, June 6, at the Palmer Funeral Home - Welsheimer North, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, Indiana.

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, the Ray and Milann Siegfried Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of 91³Ô¹Ï’sÌý, has been named the winner of the , the most prestigious award for outstanding research contributions in this subject area.

“For almost three decades, Dean Shepherd has had an unparalleled impact on scholarly developments within the international community of entrepreneurship researchers,� according to the awards committee, which consists of six committee members who hold or have held a full professorship at a Swedish university working on small business and entrepreneurship issues.

“His extraordinarily broad and methodologically varied research has had a profound influence on research on several central aspects of the entrepreneurial process. By engaging with topics such as entrepreneurial failure and emotions, and by investigating entrepreneurship under challenging environmental conditions and adversity, he has led the way in asking and answering important but traditionally neglected and downplayed aspects of entrepreneurship.�

The Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research, launched in 1996, bestows “The Hand of God� statuette and €100,000. Shepherd will receive the award during a ceremony in Stockholm on June 2.

Shepherd, who joined 91³Ô¹Ï in 2017, researches and teaches in the area of the cognitive-emotional mechanisms of potential opportunities, new ventures, entrepreneurial responses to adversity, and entrepreneurial creation and destruction. A fellow of the Academy of Management, he has been awarded four honorary doctorates from Jonkoping University (Sweden), Technical University of Munich (Germany), Lulea University of Technology (Sweden), and Hanken School of Economics (Finland).

His awards include the Dedication to Entrepreneurship Award, the Mentor Award, and the Foundational Paper Award. A past editor-in-chief of the Journal Business Venturing, Shepherd has authored more than 20 books and 180 publications in top management and entrepreneurship journals with over 90,000 Google citations.

The College will award $30,000 scholarships to the to recipients of the annual program, a prestigious recognition initiative that celebrates 40 executives, professionals and leaders under the age of 40 who demonstrate exceptional leadership, career success and a commitment to making a difference in the Michiana area.

"Notre Dame’s business school deeply values our shared commitment with the local community to foster a vibrant, healthy environment for living, working and serving,â€� said , academic director of the 91³Ô¹Ï Executive MBA. “The EMBA Forty under 40 scholarship program allows Mendoza to express this appreciation directly by helping local professionals enhance their business expertise, strengthen their skills and develop as leaders who contribute to human flourishing."

The scholarships will be awarded to any past or present Forty under 40 award recipient successfully admitted to the 91³Ô¹Ï EMBA program. Each scholarship totals $30,000, distributed as two annual installments of $15,000.

"It’s truly exciting to see the Mendoza College of Business at 91³Ô¹Ï align its brand with the Michiana Forty under 40 program in such a meaningful way," said , president and CEO of the , which administers the Michiana Forty under 40 program. "By offering scholarships to program alumni, Mendoza is paying it forward — expanding access to executive education and helping develop the next generation of business and community leaders in our region."

The is a renowned two-year program tailored for working professionals who are experienced senior leaders seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and broaden their understanding of global business. Students attend monthly in-person residencies on 91³Ô¹Ï's campus, complemented by immersive learning experiences that provide hands-on education.

The program delivers a distinctively 91³Ô¹Ï approach to leadership development, emphasizing values-centered, holistic growth. Through carefully designed courses and experiences, students receive comprehensive professional development that integrates personal and moral dimensions while building essential business fundamentals.

Michiana Forty under 40 annually honors individuals who excel in their fields and dedicate their time and talents to enriching the Michiana region through service and innovation. By showcasing these dynamic leaders, innovators and changemakers, the recognition program inspires others by highlighting the diverse talent and dedication shaping the region's present and future. Celebrating its 19th class in 2025, the program reflects the vibrant spirit of the Michiana community and its commitment to fostering excellence.

For more information about the 91³Ô¹Ï Executive MBA, visit .

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Originally posted on .

"We are excited to embark on our partnership with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. through this new memorandum of understanding," said Martin Johnson, associate director of 91³Ô¹Ï MBA Admissions at Mendoza College of Business. "This collaboration aligns with our shared commitment to leadership, academic excellence and professional development. By providing a structured pathway for Kappa Alpha Psi members to access graduate business education, we are creating new opportunities for emerging leaders to advance their careers and make a lasting impact in their communities."

The agreement provides for the admission of 10 or more Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. members into theÌý and other starting in the 2025-26 academic year. It waives application fees and offers tuition support for candidates seeking admission to the 91³Ô¹Ï MBA.

The agreement also provides scholarship opportunities for fraternity members applying to Mendoza’s other master’s degree programs, which include the and the , as well as in accountancy, business analytics, finance, management, marketing and nonprofit administration.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. members applying to Mendoza’s graduate business programs must meet the stated requirements to qualify for admission.

“This partnership between Kappa Alpha Psi and the 91³Ô¹Ï Mendoza College of Business is a transformational bridge to creating a powerful shared legacy of leadership, scholarship and service,â€� said Jimmy McMikle, Grand Polemarch (national president and CEO) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. “By combining the strength of Kappa Men with the prestige of a world-class MBA program, we are intentionally empowering generations of leaders to shape the future of business and impact the world beyond measure.â€�

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. is an international Greek-letter organization founded on January 5, 1911, on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. The fraternity’s fundamental purpose is, “Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor.� Under the motto “Training for Leadership,� the fraternity has initiated over 250,000 members across 643 active undergraduate and alumni chapters throughout the United States since its inception, with international chapters in Abu Dhabi UAE, Canada, Germany, South Korea, Japan, U.S. Virgin Islands, Nigeria, South Africa, the Grand Bahamas, Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Bermuda. The International Fraternity Headquarters is in Philadelphia. Additional information about Kappa Alpha Psi is available online via .

The Mendoza College of Business at the University of 91³Ô¹Ï is a premier Catholic business school whose mission is to develop leaders who contribute to human flourishing, cooperate with others in solidarity and compete toward becoming the best version of themselves through serving others. A leader in values-based education with the message of “Grow the Good in Business,â€� the college offers an academic experience that integrates experiential learning, integral leadership development and a community of mutual advancement. In addition to its top-ranked Undergraduate Studies program and doctoral programs in management and in analytics, Mendoza offers nine graduate business degree programs.

For more information about Mendoza College of Business’ graduate programs, contact go.mendoza@nd.edu.

Originally posted on .

The week will feature a series of talks, taking place 12:10-1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the University of 91³Ô¹Ï’s Mendoza College of Business Room 134. The lectures are free and open to Mendoza students, faculty, staff and the 91³Ô¹Ï and local communities. The full schedule is as follows:

Monday (Feb. 10): Drew Marcantonio, concurrent assistant professor of business, ethics and society; “Leading Along the Right Path for Sustainability: Avoiding Pitfalls and Pursuing Promising Ends.�

Tuesday (Feb. 11): Jessica McManus Warnell, teaching professor of management & organization and the Rex and Alice A. Martin Faculty Director of the 91³Ô¹Ï Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership; and Eva Dziadula, teaching professor of economics; “Climate, Economics and Business Ethics.â€�

Thursday (Feb. 13): Danielle Wood, associate professor of the practice in the 91³Ô¹Ï Environmental Change Initiative; “Decision Support in Climate Adaptation.â€�

Friday (Feb. 14): Sandra Vera-Muñoz, associate professor of accountancy; “Can Accountants Save the Planet?�

Now in its 27th year, 91³Ô¹Ï Ethics Week was established to encourage the discussion of ethical matters in undergraduate and graduate business classes at 91³Ô¹Ï. Ethics Week honors the legacy of John Houck, a 91³Ô¹Ï management professor who authored numerous works on business ethics, including “Is the Good Corporation Dead?â€�

Visit the website for more information.

While the number of women CEOs at publicly traded U.S. companies remains relatively low atÌý, there is a positive statistic that could be a key to improving the trend of women in leadership: About 94 percent of C-suite women have played sports,Ìý. Further, EY found that 52 percent of C-suite women played sports at the university level, compared to 39 percent of women in other management roles.

The strong association between athletics and executive leadership is the focus of a new sponsorship agreement between , the multimedia rights holder for the , and the to support student-athletes through the college’s highly rankedÌý.

Launched in July, the one-of-a-kind partnership enables Mendoza and 91³Ô¹Ï Athletics to collaborate in new ways to help student-athletes fully realize their leadership potential through greater awareness of career pathways in business — especially pathways where women can close gender disparity gaps. Mendoza is the only academic unit that serves as a sponsor to 91³Ô¹Ï Athletics.

“The opportunity to collaborate with Mendoza (College of Business) will open doors for our students and many around the country,â€� said University Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics . “To be able to provide extended educational opportunities at one of the nation’s top business schools is a testament to our ‘four for forever’ promise we make to 91³Ô¹Ï student-athletes.â€�

The partnership builds on Mendoza and 91³Ô¹Ï Athletics’ shared mission to develop leaders who compete at the highest levels and are committed to service and contributing to the greater good. The agreement includes the involvement of Mendoza College of Business thought leaders — including faculty, staff and alumni — during athletic events and panel discussions. Mendoza also plans to host special talks with 91³Ô¹Ï Athletics coaches and administrators on ethical leadership and personal and professional development.

While current student-athletes are a particular focus, this partnership aims to extend well beyond the 91³Ô¹Ï campus to former Fighting Irish student-athletes and current and former student-athletes worldwide. Applicants to Mendoza’s graduate programs will benefit from a streamlined admissions process, and athletic leadership will be a consideration in the overall award of scholarship funding.

“Our imperative at Mendoza is to Grow the Good in Business — to contribute to human flourishing through business,â€� said , the Martin J. Gillen Dean of the Mendoza College of Business. “Our collaboration with 91³Ô¹Ï Athletics is an opportunity to support student-athletes in their career journeys and, importantly, to help them successfully navigate the path to executive leadership.â€�

As part of the collaboration, Mendoza and 91³Ô¹Ï Athletics launched a pilot of the professional development program ND Elevate this fall specifically for 91³Ô¹Ï student-athletes. ND Elevate is a semester-long program designed to empower student-athletes as leaders to take the next step in their professional journeys through workshops, one-on-one mentorships and speaker events to develop knowledge and skills essential to growing the good in business.

With an emphasis on obstacles and opportunities traditionally encountered by women in the workplace, ND Elevate participants will learn to cultivate confidence and resilience, recognize the value of one’s authentic presence and how it contributes to an organization, and begin to develop a leadership style and vision to propel them to future success.

Founded byÌý, the associate dean for undergraduate studies and specialized master’s programs at Mendoza College of Business, the ND Elevate program consists of a combination of in-person workshops and online learning modules taught by Collett-Schmitt along with some of the University’s foremost leaders and scholars, including former women’s basketball coach Muffet McGraw, legendary basketball player and alumna Ruth Riley Hunter and former Mendoza dean Carolyn Woo.

“91³Ô¹Ï Athletics and the Mendoza College of Business are committed to contributing to a society in which all can flourish and are in a unique position to use both educational programs and its powerful alumni network to build an inclusive community where everyone can thrive,â€� Collett-Schmitt said. “I am proud that both the University and the college have chosen to support athletes as aspiring leaders through ND Elevate.â€�

For more information on this partnership or to get involved, contact Jen Wade, Mendoza College of Business senior director of marketing and brand strategy, at mendozabusiness@nd.edu.

Originally posted on .

Gerry Baker, editor-at-large of The Wall Street Journal, is the featured speaker for theÌý. “Unpacking the Election: Where Do We Go From Here?â€� will take place at 3:30 p.m. Friday (Nov. 8) in the Jordan Auditorium at the University of 91³Ô¹Ï’s Mendoza College of Business.

The talk is free and open to the public. No registration is required. The Quinn Lecture is sponsored by 91³Ô¹Ï alumnus and trustee John W. “Jayâ€� Jordan II in memory of Quinn, a 91³Ô¹Ï alumnus who was Jordan’s college roommate, longtime friend and business partner.

Baker is a prominent journalist and editor at The Wall Street Journal, a leading global financial and business news outlet. As the editor-in-chief from 2013 to 2018, he oversaw major editorial shifts and expansions, particularly in digital journalism.

Widely recognized for his sharp political commentary, Baker writes and speaks on U.S. and global politics, economics and business trends. His weekly column for the WSJ editorial page, “Free Expression,� features some of the world’s leading writers, influencers and thinkers about various subjects. He has been a journalist for more than 30 years, writing and broadcasting for some of the world’s most famous news organizations, including The Financial Times, The Times of London and the BBC.

, the David A. Potenziani Memorial College Professor of Constitutional Studies and director of the 91³Ô¹ÏÌý, will serve as moderator. Hall specializes in interdisciplinary research that spans the fields of American politics, law and society, and organizational behavior. His current research examines popular support for democratic norms in the United States, political psychology and the role of politics in the workplace.

The Thomas H. Quinn Lecture Series is an annual event hosted by the Mendoza College of Business to honor the 91³Ô¹Ï alumnus and former member and chair of Mendoza’s Business Advisory Council. Quinn earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from 91³Ô¹Ï in 1969 and was a football monogram winner and member of the 1966 national championship team.

Quinn was a managing partner and member of the investment committee and management committee of private investment firm The Jordan Company as well as the president and chief operating officer of Chicago-based Jordan Industries Inc. Quinn died April 29, 2016, at the age of 68.

For more information, visit the .

Originally posted on .

The Ìý(MSDM) is a 10-month residential program for individuals interested in careers in digital marketing management, social media management, marketing analytics and related roles crucial to a company’s marketing success.

“Digital marketing is an exciting area of career growth where there is a critical need for skilled professionals who think deeply about the ethical dimensions of this powerful discipline,â€� said , MSDM academic director, former chief analytics strategist at Google and author of “Digital Marketing Analytics: In Theory and In Practice.â€� “The 91³Ô¹Ï Master of Science in Digital Marketing is uniquely designed to develop both applied skills and a mindset of using digital marketing innovatively and responsibly.â€�

The STEM-designated MSDM is intended for students with business or non-business undergraduate degrees with less than three years of work experience. The curriculum includes courses in key digital marketing areas such as brand strategy, social and email media marketing, search engine optimization, artificial intelligence and automation.

Students also gain practical hands-on experience in executing a comprehensive digital marketing campaign in a real-world context.

“Our imperative at Mendoza is to ‘Grow the Good in Business’ by developing servant leaders who want to succeed professionally through their contributions to human flourishing,� said , the Martin J. Gillen Dean and Bernard J. Hank Professor of Finance. “Our MSDM program will provide a foundational understanding of digital marketing as well as a comprehensive, values-focused perspective on the power of digital marketing to drive business excellence.�

The MSDM is part of Mendoza’s suite of specialized master’s degrees that allow students to study a focused discipline in an accelerated format.

“MSDM students will join a growing community of Mendoza’s specialized master’s students, which provides increased opportunities to learn, network and socialize with others,� said , associate dean for undergraduate and specialized master’s programs. “These experiences make our programs truly transformative far outside the classroom.�

Applications are now being accepted for August 2025. VisitÌý for details on applying.

For more information about the , contact Nadia Ewing, associate director for MSDM admissions, at msdm.business@nd.edu.

Originally posted on .

The partnership will provide new career pathways to Xavier students with the shared mission of developing leaders who contribute to the global society through business. The agreement guarantees admission of four qualified Xavier students to each of the following offered by Mendoza: , , , Ìýand the .

“We’re pleased to partner with Xavier to prepare talented students for the next step in their careers,� said , the Martin J. Gillen Dean of the Mendoza College of Business. “As Catholic universities, we share a common goal to develop leaders who contribute to the human community.�

Xavier University of Louisiana, founded by St. Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, is the nation’s only Catholic and historically Black university. Xavier’s mission is “to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society.�

“Xavier University of Louisiana appreciates the opportunity to partner with the Mendoza College of Business, which will provide Xavierites the chance to pursue a postgraduate degree at another Catholic institution,� said Anderson Sunda-Meya, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Xavier.

Xavier has a current enrollment of 3,181 students. Its major academic units are the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Pharmacy. Degrees awarded include baccalaureate degrees as well as master’s degrees in education, counseling, public health sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, health informatics and speech-language pathology. The university also offers doctorate programs in educational leadership and pharmacy, and awards a Master of Theology degree through its Institute for Black Catholic Studies.

“At the Division of Business, our mission is singular: to prepare tomorrow’s socially responsible leaders,� said Cary Caro, chair of the Division of Business at Xavier. “We achieve this by fostering relationships with the global business community to offer our students opportunities for career advancement. This partnership exemplifies that mission.�

Mendoza College of Business’ specialized masters are intensive, one-year programs that prepare students for successful careers through a focused curriculum. Taught by renowned business faculty on the 91³Ô¹Ï campus, the programs include experiential learning opportunities so students can apply what they learn in the classroom to real-life business problems. The specialized programs are intended for students who typically recently completed their undergraduate degrees and have little or no work experience.

“We are committed to attracting a diverse pool of talented candidates to our programs and this collaboration with Xavier University of Louisiana is a significant step towards reinforcing that commitment,â€� said , associate director of Graduate Business Career Development at 91³Ô¹Ï and an alumna of Xavier. “I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to welcome students from this new partnership into our 91³Ô¹Ï community.â€�

Originally published on .

“Artificial Intelligence: Its Ethical Possibilities and Problems� is the topic of the , an annual series of panel discussions hosted by the designed to encourage the discussion of ethics in and outside of the classroom.

Ethics Week events take place from 12:05 to 1 p.m. Feb. 12-16 in Room 133 inside the Mendoza building. The talks are free and open to the 91³Ô¹Ï community and the public.

The 2024 series features Mendoza faculty members renowned for their research and expertise in the use and development of AI. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday (Feb. 12): , the Joe and Jane Giovanini Professor of IT, Analytics and Operations; academic director of the Ph.D. Program in Analytics; and co-director of the Human-centered Analytics Lab, “Artificial Intelligence’s Major Challenge: Striking a Balance Between Innovation and Precaution.â€�
• Tuesday (Feb. 13): , the William P. and Hazel B. White Center Professor of Technology Ethics, “Who is Responsible for Algorithmic Recommendations Online? (And Other Pesky AI Questions).â€�
• Feb. 15 (Thursday): , visiting assistant research professor of business ethics and society, “Planning Future Economies: Can Artificial Intelligence Be Trusted?â€�
• Feb. 16 (Friday): , professor of IT, analytics and operations, “Artificial Intelligence’s Use, Impact and Necessary Guardrails.â€�

Now in its 26th year, 91³Ô¹Ï Ethics Week takes place annually in February and brings in experts from a diverse array of industries to explore current ethics issues. The series was established to encourage the discussion of ethical matters in undergraduate and graduate business classes at 91³Ô¹Ï.

Ethics Week honors the legacy of John Houck, a 91³Ô¹Ï management professor who wrote numerous works on business ethics, including “Is the Good Corporation Dead?â€�

Visit the Ìýfor more information.

By now, most of us have read enough alarming headlines or dabbled with ChatGPT and other generative learning platforms to be concerned about the power of artificial intelligence to shape our lives. Yet technology is advancing so rapidly, how much do we really understand?

, a series of lectures hosted by the University of 91³Ô¹Ï’s Mendoza College of Business, will present a deep exploration of AI through the research perspective of some of the top scholars in the field. The series, “Artificial Intelligence: Promise and Peril,â€� will be held at 10:40 a.m. on select Fridays throughout the spring in Mendoza’s Jordan Auditorium.

Ten Years Hence kicks off Friday (Jan. 19) with a talk by Zico Kolter, associate professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University. The full schedule is below and can be found online.

Lectures are free and open to the public and the 91³Ô¹Ï community. No registration is required.

The schedule is as follows:

• Jan. 19: Zico Kolter, associate professor of computer science, Carnegie Mellon University, “Adversarial Attacks on Large Language Models.â€�
• Jan. 26: Somesh Jha, the Lubar Professor in Computer Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, “Trustworthy Machine Learning and the Security Mindset.â€�
• Feb. 9: Ahmed Abbasi, the Giovanini Professor of IT, Analytics and Operations, University of 91³Ô¹Ï, “AI for Social Good: How Do We Get There?â€�
• Feb. 23: Henrick Christensen, the Qualcomm Chancellor’s Professor of Robot Systems and Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, “Autonomous Vehicles for Micro-Mobility.â€�
• March 1: Anu Bradford, the Henry L. Moses Distinguished Professor of Law and International Organization, Columbia Law School, Columbia University, “Digital Empires: The Global Battle to Regulate Technology.â€�
• March 22: Manuela M. Veloso, the Herbert A. Simon University Professor Emerita, Carnegie Mellon University, “Symbiotic Human-AI Interaction: Examples of AI in Robot and AI in Finance.â€�
• April 19: Nicholas Berente, professor of information technology, analytics and operations, University of 91³Ô¹Ï, “AI Ethics: Past, Present, and Future.â€�
• April 26: Maryam Alavi, the Elizabeth D. and Thomas M. Holder Chair and Professor of IT Management, Scheller College of Business, Georgia Institute of Technology, “Harnessing and Hedging: The Two Faces of GenAI.â€�

The Ten Years Hence speaker series explores issues, ideas and trends likely to affect business and society over the next decade. The series is sponsored by the Eugene Clark Distinguished Lecture Series endowment.

For more information, visit the or contact Jean Meade, lecture coordinator, at Jean.Meade@nd.edu.

Originally posted on .

Michael Montalbano, adjunct assistant teaching professor at the University of 91³Ô¹Ï’s Mendoza College of Business, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday (Nov. 7) at his home in South Bend, Indiana. He was 66.

The South Bend native taught undergraduate and graduate management courses at 91³Ô¹Ï since 2015. He was a business executive with more than 40 years of experience in marketing, strategy and executive development, holding leadership positions from vice president of marketing to president and CEO. He served on numerous boards and as the managing director of Verso Ministries, a Catholic pilgrimage company that organizes travel to sacred sites worldwide. In 2018, he founded Imprenditori, a company that supports entrepreneurs in growing their ventures.

Montalbano was a graduate of Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. He later earned a Master of Business Administration from Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Mendoza College of Business hosted a walk to the Grotto and a prayer service for students, faculty and staff in Montalbano’s honor on Wednesday (Nov. 8) with faculty chaplain Rev. Frank Murphy, C.S.C., presiding. Students recalled Montalbano’s deep authenticity, his gift for mentorship and his genuine care for them as individuals.

“Mr. Montalbano was a great mentor and friend,� said Matthew Potter, a senior accountancy student at Mendoza. “I will really miss the dinners he hosted for some of us in the Marine Corps ROTC host family program and all the amazing advice and stories he had to offer.�

“Mike went out of his way to host student gatherings at his house,â€� said Craig Crossland, senior associate dean for programs at Mendoza College of Business. “He would often invite more than a dozen students at a time from his undergraduate and graduate classes to join himself and his wife for dinner and community building. He truly loved 91³Ô¹Ï and our students.â€�

Montalbano was well-known and respected for his contributions to the local community, including organizing literary events, participating in local literary organizations and supporting literacy programs for underprivileged youth.

Montalbano is survived by his wife, Susan; three sons, Vincent (Millicent) Montalbano of Austin, Texas, Thomas (Emily) Montalbano of Fort Mill, South Carolina, and Dominic (Angela) Montalbano of Holliston, Massachusetts; and seven grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m. Monday (Nov. 13) in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Inurnment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery. His obituary is availableÌý.

“While the One-Year MBA historically has attracted talented and dedicated students and remains financially viable, the decision to discontinue the program reflects the college’s focus on the Two-Year MBA as our priority and was informed by the ongoing strategic review aimed at optimizing and elevating Mendoza’s graduate program portfolio,â€� saidÌý, the Martin J. Gillen Dean of the Mendoza College of Business.

The change will allow the college to elevate the Two-Year MBA as its core strategic priority, providing greater flexibility in directing the appropriate resources to advancements in experiential learning, leadership development, career discernment and personal growth over the program’s two-year arc.

Cremers emphasized that discontinuing the One-Year MBA will have no impact on the academic experience of current students and that the decision was focused on serving the future needs of all of its students.

“The Mendoza faculty and staff remain fully committed to the personal and professional growth of our One-Year MBAs, now and after they graduate,â€� Cremers said. “They are forever important members of the 91³Ô¹Ï family.â€�

Mendoza currently offers 10 master’s programs plus several dual-degree programs, two doctorate programs and its undergraduate program.

The college has introduced a number of curricular innovations to its STEM-designated MBA program in support of its emphasis on providing in-person, highly experiential academic programming, including:

• , a revamped curricular structure to support career pathways.
• Mod-Away programs, seven-week in-person study programs inÌý, andÌý
• , a long-running initiative in which student teams work with international and domestic partners to harness the dynamism of business to advance solutions to problems such as deep poverty and violence.
• , a signature leadership development program centered on 91³Ô¹Ï’s unique “Tender, Strong and Trueâ€� framework.
• , a set of skill building courses, leadership development and experiential learning opportunities through global consulting engagements.

In keeping withÌý, future program developments likewise will focus on opportunities that prioritize a strong sense of community through shared experiences, high-touch employer relationships and a global perspective cultivated through in-person engagements.

Steven D. Levitt, economist and co-author of bestseller “Freakonomics,â€� will be the featured speaker for the University of 91³Ô¹Ï’s Thomas H. Quinn Lecture Series. “â€� will take place at 3:30 p.m. Friday (Sept. 15) in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center on the 91³Ô¹Ï campus.

This is a free but ticketed event. Tickets will be available for pickup at the DeBartolo ticket office one hour prior to the event. There are no advanced reservations for this event and tickets are limited to two per person.

Levitt is a tenured professor in the University of Chicago’s economics department and the 2003 recipient of the American Economic Association’s prestigious John Bates Clark Medal, given to the country’s best economist under 40.

Through forceful storytelling and wry insight, Levitt shows how economics is, at its root, the study of incentives or how people get what they want or need. He has applied his expertise to a diverse range of real-world topics from terrorism to prostitution to global warming.

Originally published in the U.S. in 2005, “Freakonomics� spent more than eight years on the New York Times bestseller list, having sold more than 7 million copies in 40-plus countries. Levitt and co-author Stephen Dubner have appeared widely on television and maintain the popular Freakonomics blog, which can be found on the New York Times website. Levitt and Dubner also co-authored “SuperFreakonomics,� “Think Like A Freak� and “When to Rob a Bank.�

The Thomas H. Quinn Lecture Series is an annual event hosted by the to honor the 91³Ô¹Ï alumnus and former member and chair of Mendoza’s Business Advisory Council. Quinn earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from 91³Ô¹Ï in 1969 and was a football monogram winner and member of the 1966 national championship team.

Quinn was a managing partner and member of the investment committee and management committee of private investment firm The Jordan Company as well as the president and chief operating officer of Chicago-based Jordan Industries Inc. Quinn died April 29, 2016, at the age of 68. The Quinn Lecture is sponsored by 91³Ô¹Ï alumnus and Trustee John W. “Jayâ€� Jordan II, Quinn’s college roommate, longtime friend and business partner.

For more information, visit the .

The 91³Ô¹Ï Global EMBA is designed to offer working professionals with deeper global leadership experience. The program will be based at the University’s South Bend campus but will offer immersions around the world as part of the two-year curriculum.

“By bringing all Global EMBA students to campus for their residencies, we can provide a holistic 91³Ô¹Ï experience and establish greater consistency between the cohorts,â€� said , the Martin J. Gillen Dean of the Mendoza College of Business. “The shift to a global perspective aligns with the larger business demand for effective leaders with a strong understanding of the complexities of a global economy, particularly in working with varied work cultures.â€�

The 91³Ô¹Ï EMBA currently is offered in South Bend and Chicago. The 91³Ô¹Ï EMBA-Chicago Class of 2025 that starts classes in August 2023 will be the college’s final Chicago cohort. Applications are now open for the 91³Ô¹Ï Global EMBA Class of 2026 starting in fall 2024.

“As someone who has worked globally for most of my professional life, I understand the high value placed on leaders who understand how to solve problems in global environments,â€� said , the academic director for the 91³Ô¹Ï EMBA who will continue to serve as director for the 91³Ô¹Ï Global EMBA. “The Global EMBA is designed to leverage all of the strengths of our existing program — the curriculum, the faculty, the campus and the reputation for excellence represented by the 91³Ô¹Ï MBA degree — while students also gain up to three international immersion experiences on three different continents.â€�

The Global EMBA will follow the current 91³Ô¹Ï EMBA curriculum and academic calendar, consisting of a two-year program that meets once a month for in-person residencies. To deepen the international experience of the program, Global EMBA students will participate in a minimum of two international immersions, one at the beginning of their program and one in their final semester. Students also have the option to either participate in on-campus electives or an additional international immersion during the June electives week.

At least some of the immersions will focus on the Global South, where Mendoza has long been involved in projects as part of its mission for business to have a positive impact on societal good. The college also plans to coordinate immersions through the 91³Ô¹Ï Global Gateways and Centers, which include locations in Beijing, Dublin, Jerusalem, London, Rome and Santiago, Chile.

“The 91³Ô¹Ï Global EMBA is an evolution in our efforts to serve working professionals. More than that, it’s an evolution in how business leaders can take forward Mendoza’s charge to 'grow the good in business' on a global scale,â€� Cremers said.

For more information about the 91³Ô¹Ï Global EMBA, contact emba.business@nd.edu.

Tavis was a widely respected scholar for his life’s work in advancing civil and human rights, especially in developing countries. He joined the 91³Ô¹Ï faculty in 1976 as the inaugural C.R. Smith Professor of Finance. During his 38-year career at 91³Ô¹Ï, Tavis was the founding director of the 91³Ô¹Ï Program on Multinational Managers and Developing Country Concerns and taught graduate and undergraduate courses in managerial finance, international financial management and international ethics.

“Lee lived his life mindful of this day when he sees God face to face,� said Carolyn Y. Woo, former Martin J. Gillen Dean of the Mendoza College of Business. “He used his talent and scholarship connecting the world for a more just and ethical relationship.�

Among his numerous teaching awards, Tavis received the 91³Ô¹Ï MBA Award for the outstanding teacher four times (1978, 1980, 1984 and 1990); the Executive MBA Award for the outstanding teacher in 1984; the 91³Ô¹Ï Outstanding Faculty Award in 1993; the Reinhold Niebuhr Award for work in social justice in 1998; and the James E. Armstrong Award in 2014.

Tavis served in many University programs, centers and committees, including the Center on Civil and Human Rights Advisory Council and the Institute for Latino Studies Faculty Advisory Committee. Tavis also was a faculty fellow for the Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies and the Joan. B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies.

"Lee Tavis was passionate about advancing human rights in developing countries and he traveled far and wide in the poorest parts of the world, trying to make thingsÌýbetter with the help of business,â€� said the Rev. Oliver Williams, C.S.C., associate professor of management and organization. “In many ways, he was all that we hope that a faculty member might be. He loved students and worked hard in preparing his classes and at the same time, he was a dedicated researcher publishing in all the best places. As we say about our best at 91³Ô¹Ï, his blood was in the bricks."

The Bismarck, North Dakota, native earned his bachelor’s degree in business from 91³Ô¹Ï in 1953. He entered the U.S. Navy and served as a pilot before returning to college to earn his MBA from Stanford University in 1960 and his doctoral degree from Indiana University in 1969.

A prolific researcher, Tavis’ work was published in numerous top academic journals and presented at conferences on globalization, multinational corporations and the moral responsibility of business across the world. He wrote six books, including “Values-based Multinational Management: Achieving Enterprise Sustainability through a Human Rights Strategy,� which was co-authored by his son, Timothy Tavis, who preceded him in death.

Tavis is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Sparky, and their three children, Thomas Tavis, Therese Beckwith and Tami Lange, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 10, at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend, Indiana. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at 91³Ô¹Ï at 3:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 11. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery.