Announcing Rev. Bob Dowd, C.S.C, the University of Notre Dame's 18th President:

At an alumni event during the Stanford vs. Notre Dame game weekend, a friend asked me who the next University president would be. Alumni and friends have been asking this question for years—only now it's a legitimate one. And that is because on October 13, 2023 Rev. John Jenkins, C.S.C. announced he will step down at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year to return to teaching and ministry at ND. Father Jenkins has served in the role since 2005. I said to my classmate, "I have a few ideas in mind, but I know that I really do not know." Today, however, is a different story. I know. You (now) know upon the annoucment that Father Bob Dowd, C.S.C.  has been named the University's 18th president. 

I got the update from my Uncle Jay and good friend, Mike. I gave an audible gasp upon reading what my Uncle Jay sent: a screen shot of a tweet from "The Observer."

I wasn't expecting this announcement...not right now, nor about Father Bob. My colleague, a fellow Religious Studies teacher asked if everything was okay. "Yes! Notre Dame has a new president," I said. He asked, "Does that person have to be a Holy Cross priest?" "Yes," I said. "That's too bad, he replied." "Not in this case. It's great news," I added. I meant it.

Father Bob Dowd was one of two Holy Cross priests on rotation for weekday/weeknight Masses in Farley Hall. While our Sunday liturgies were well attended at 10:00 p.m., the Monday and Thursday masses gathered a smaller crowd. Consequently, we got to all know one another—through a welcome presence (we sat on the floor), casual conversation and personal intentions. Each of us knew Father Bob was happy to be there. He smiled naturally and remembered our names. I was always impressed with his voice—it's clear, but not deep. Safe to say he has always been youthful—in appearance, energy and demeanor. In what *may* have been an effort to look like he had gone through puberty, sometime that first year he grew a mustache. The women in Farley wondered how he did that.

The other message was a screen shot of a tweet from ND Football beat writer, Mike Berardino. It complied "Father Bob facts" They are: 

• Ordained in 1994
• Political science PhD from UCLA
• BA in economics from #NotreDame ('87)
• Author of "Christianity, Islam, and Liberal Democracy: Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa"
• Research interests include religion, development, and political culture.

My list is different. I would like this post to serve as a testimony of my own "Father Bob facts." These are off the cuff and what I came to know as a student.

• Humble Heart
• Servant Leader
• Good friend of Bishop Pat Neary, CSC. 
• Committed to the work of the Alliance for Catholic Education (the ACE teaching program) and the Center for Social Concerns (CSC)
• Assigned to East Africa

While you can (and should read) about his academic research, accomplishments and administrative experience, I can speak to his priesthood. I believe those attributes are well suited for the presidency.

• Jesus was the servant of the servants. And, Christian discipleship is predicated on the willingness to lead by serving one another. A humble heart helps make that all work. Jesus' entire life modeled humility and servant leadership; it's what I have seen in Father Bob. 
  
  
• They say you can judge a person by the company they keep. I always knew Father Pat and Father Bob were close. Contemporaries in the Congregation of Holy Cross, both men are ND alums and were ordained not too long after graduation. Father Pat was the other priest on that Farley Hall rotation—lucky us! He was recently named a Bishop for the Diocese of Saint Cloud. In short: see earlier paragraph about servant leadership and humble heart and put a check by the names of these Church leaders. 
  
  
  
• I love that so much of Father Bob's academic research and own experience is tied to Africa. He will bring a global perspective to the question and concern of Catholic identity to Notre Dame. The Church is alive—it is thriving and growing in Africa. It is diverse and dynamic, both rich and poor. It is essential that the Catholic Church's outreach and commitment to Africa be known, shaped, broadened and appreciated. 
  
  
• On the domestic front, Father Bob gave of his time and talent to serve the Alliance for Catholic Education. He sees teaching as ministry (he himself is an associate professor of political science) and an essential arm of the Church in the US. He conspired with us on many a retreat. Grateful for those memories.

The University has had only three presidents in the last 70 years. Father Bob will follow other servant leaders, each with their own pastoral gifts and administrative assets. I hope in this time of waiting and preparation, both Father Bob and the leadership of the University can help one another to live out the words of Father Basil Moreau, CSC: "Make God Known, Loved and Served." AND, I hope he really likes football.....

Photo Credits
Research
CSC Shot