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Mendoza Profiles
Accounting professor Ed Hums ('75) has made a unique move back to the heart of Notre Dame, returning to campus with his wife, Shirley, to live in a women's dormitory at age 60. This decision comes amid a broader trend of fostering closer relationships between faculty and students, reminiscent of a bygone era when professors frequently lived among their students. Hums joins a tradition of residency among educators at Notre Dame, aiming to create meaningful connections and support for today's students in an evolving campus environment.
Mendoza Profiles
Konrad Billetz (MBA '12) turned a childhood mishap into an innovative solution for eyewear with his company, Frameri. Frustrated by the static nature of traditional eyewear, he developed the world's first interchangeable lens-and-frame system while pursuing his MBA at Notre Dame. With support from the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship, Billetz actively engaged with mentors, competed in business competitions, and secured a spot at a startup accelerator, all of which helped him launch his vision for customized eyewear.
Mendoza Profiles
José R. Fernández shares his journey as a first-time CEO of Oriental Financial Group during a critical economic period. Facing pressure to invest in complex mortgage-backed securities, he navigated the challenges of the looming global financial crisis while adhering to caution and prudence. Through his experiences, Fernández emphasizes key lessons in leadership, including the importance of understanding investments, staying true to core strategies, and owning up to mistakes.
Mendoza Profiles
Fred Dust of IDEO spoke at Mendoza College, sharing insights on design thinking as a flexible approach to solving business problems. By focusing on human interaction and quickly developing prototypes, IDEO aims to create impactful solutions that scale from individual behaviors to larger systems. Dust emphasized the optimistic nature of design, asserting that meaningful change is possible through thoughtfully crafted experiences.
Mendoza Profiles
Internet entrepreneur Emerson Spartz, known for his Harry Potter fan site MuggleNet.com, is evolving his mission to foster hope in a cynical world with his new project, GivesMeHope.com. This platform invites people to share uplifting one-paragraph stories that celebrate moments of courage, love, and self-sacrifice, countering the pervasive negativity in society. Spartz reflects on how his success with MuggleNet stemmed from harnessing community engagement, a principle he continues to embrace in his latest venture.
Taking Stock - Personal Essays
or the first time since my military service, I found a connection with someone from a region often defined by conflict. Sharing tea in Beirut, listening to Samer's experiences, and reflecting on my own past in Iraq illuminated the human stories behind the headlines. This encounter highlights the impact of personal relationships in overcoming the barriers created by war and fosters a deeper understanding of resilience and community in places marked by division.