"

The celebration of Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C.’s Inauguration kicked off with a campus-wide picnic on Wednesday, Sept. 11. With both North and South Dining Halls closed for the occasion, students, faculty, staff and their families ditched their typical dinner tables for lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Fifteen local food trucks lined Library Lawn, and the demand for barbeque, pizza, tacos and other free meals stretched across the quad.

The picnic featured opening performances by the Notre Dame Céilí Band, a traditional Irish music group, and the Jerry O’Fonics, a popular South Bend cover band. Spirits were high as the audience danced and sang along to the live music. Sophomore Andoni Christou, who plays the tin whistle in the Céilí Band, remarked “What I noticed the most was how much bigger this event was than I initially imagined. When I was playing traditional Irish music with the Céilí band, I saw not only Notre Dame students enjoying the music and dancing along, but also people outside the university from all different walks of life that came to enjoy the picnic and entertainment. I’m definitely grateful to have been part of such a historic event.”

A highlight of the evening was a performance by the internationally acclaimed Irish folk group, The High Kings. The High Kings are popular in the Notre Dame community for their song “Glorio (For Notre Dame),” which was composed for and performed at the 2024 commencement ceremony. The High Kings ended the evening in Notre Dame fashion with the university’s alma mater.

The inauguration of a new university president is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most Notre Dame students. This event offers an opportunity for the community to unite in support of new leadership and celebrate the advent of a new era for Notre Dame. The picnic marked the first of many inauguration events and kicked off the festivities on a high note.