Catholic Spirituality

2010 Communion Breakfast

Local Notre Dame Club Holds Annual Communion Breakfast

Former Westsider Kathleen (Thompson) Sullivan, Ph.D. Receives 2010 Exemplar Award


Approximately 170 local graduates, current students, recently admitted high school seniors, and friends of the University of Notre Dame (ND) gathered on Sunday, January 10 at St. Xavier High School for the Notre Dame Club of Greater Cincinnati’s annual Communion Breakfast. The Rev. Paul Kollman, C.S.C. (ND’84,’90) a Cincinnati native who graduated from Moeller High School and now teaches theology at Notre Dame, traveled from South Bend to concelebrate the Mass with the Rev. Timothy Howe, S.J., President of St. Xavier High School. Chaired by Kevin McManus (ND’99) of Hyde Park, the event included the presentation of the club’s 2010 Exemplar Award to Kathleen (Thompson) Sullivan, MA’82, Ph.D.’87, a former Cincinnati resident who has been on the staff of the Notre Dame Alumni Association in South Bend since 1987. A breakfast buffet followed.

The Exemplar Award was established as an annual club award in 2002 to promote and hold up as an example the ideals and achievements of Greater Cincinnati or University individuals who have provided exemplary, life-long service to humanity through career or volunteer involvement. The award honors Dr. Sullivan for her exceptional contributions to Notre Dame graduates and friends around the world through her leadership of Notre Dame Alumni Association (NDAA) programs in the areas of continuing education and spirituality/service since 1987. As Director of Alumni Continuing Education from 1987-2005 and Senior Director of Spirituality and Service from 2006-present, Dr. Sullivan’s innovative thinking, strategic vision, and boundless energy have led to successful long-running programs such as the Hesburgh Lecture Series, the Notre Dame Excellence in Teaching Conference and the Pray.ND.edu internet prayer initiative, which have all played a role in helping strengthen the lifelong connection of thousands of graduates with Notre Dame’s core values of faith, learning, and service. Kathy grew up in Price Hill and graduated from both St. William Catholic School and Seton High School. She earned a BA degree in English and Secondary Education summa cum laude in 1978 from The College of Mount Saint Joseph, and taught at Summit Country Day for two years before starting graduate school at Notre Dame, where she earned an MA degree and PhD in English. She and her husband, Mike, live in South Bend with their daughter, Christina.

In addition to event chair Kevin McManus, others assisting with the event included Brian Bussing, Mindy Dannemiller, Paul Dillenburger, club president Mike Gearin, Jack Hart, Shannon Hart, Katie Hieatt, Amy Hiltz, Kathleen Hiltz, Blair Mancini, Andrew McElhinney, Bob McQuiston, Laura Rupp, club vice president Courtney Schuster, Caroline White, and Marc Wolnitzek.

The Notre Dame Club of Greater Cincinnati is an active local organization serving the more than 1700 graduates, students and friends of the University of Notre Dame in the tri-state area. In addition to providing over $90,000 in scholarship support each year to local students attending Notre Dame, the club also sponsors over fifty events or programs annually, including opportunities for community service, continuing education, and Catholic/Christian spirituality. Membership and club events are open to friends of Notre Dame, whether or not they attended the University.

Images from the Event