Investing in Catholic education through the Sorin Society

“Based on our son’s experience and what we have witnessed over the years, donations to groups like the Sorin Society are helping to holistically shape the lives of students who walk the hallways of Notre Dame.”
— Julie Rotolo, Sorin Society member and ND parent

Jack and Julie Rotolo’s connection to Notre Dame began when their son, Jack Rotolo III ’22, enrolled as a freshman. Around that same time, their commitment to supporting Catholic education deepened as they chose to invest in the Sorin Society. We asked Julie and Jack to share more about their experience as parents and why they joined the Sorin Society, and we’re proud to share their insight with you.

How did seeing your child’s experience at Notre Dame impact your feelings about the university?

Parenting is full of big and small moments. Sending Jack to college was at the top of the “big moments” list for us. Our feelings about the University of Notre Dame have expanded with every meeting and interaction. The desire to be connected with the university has grown over time as well.

Specifically, with Jack, it was going to Mass during Welcome Weekend. We had visited before and attended football games as a family, but that moment, sharing our faith with like-minded students, families, faculty, and staff was when entrusting our son—his development as a whole person—felt completely right and aligned with our family values and beliefs.

Three students, Julie Rotolo, and Jack Rotolo standing together in an indoor meeting space, wearing nametags

What specific moments or aspects of the Notre Dame community made the biggest impression on you as a parent?

I would have to say it’s the welcoming atmosphere of everyone at Notre Dame. And that’s not just the faculty, staff, and students, but also visiting families, even fans coming back to the university. We love that we can go anywhere while we are here and start a conversation with “What is your connection with Notre Dame?” We have met so many interesting people and had amazing conversations just starting with that simple question.

The most sacred moments for me are at the grotto or attending Mass. I am in awe of God’s presence and the participation of students and community in sharing our Catholic faith. Everyone talks about the drop in Catholics attending church or practicing their faith. Here, God is present and guiding us in nurturing our faith in young people. They are the future of our religion and seeing the seeds of faith flourish here is so very special.

An exciting—and emotional—moment was Jack’s graduation weekend. It was such a beautiful culmination of all he and his classmates had worked toward. The thoughtfulness in every aspect of each event created an indelible impression on us. We started our time here celebrating Mass and we ended our journey again with Mass. Focusing on God, Country, and Notre Dame has always been the right order of life for our family.

What was your motivation to support the Sorin Society?

Education and the opportunity for students to attend and experience the University of Notre Dame motivates us to give to the Sorin Society each year. Our continued support, year over year, is because we deeply believe in the University’s mission to be a force for good and to cultivate hope that more students will be inspired by what they experience during their time here.

Not having that experience directly ourselves, we work to evangelize what we see as critical for the next generation of students and those leaving the university—to pursue further education or enter the workforce. Students who are able to grow during this time and then go out into the world to solve problems, have an impact, do good—that’s something we want to put our time, talent and treasures into. For us to be a very, very small part of this great university is an honor.

How do you hope your gift might inspire others?

Making the choice to give to any organization is very personal. For us, we have found the most unique way to represent our family values and our faith is by having hope that, by entrusting Notre Dame with our donations, the Sorin Society and the University can use our contributions to have a real impact on the lives of current and future Notre Dame students.

In our world today, with all that is happening to us, through us, and around us, this contribution is critical to help our future generations stay centered on a life filled with faith, the desire to search for truth, and to be the best version of themselves. Based on our son’s experience and what we have witnessed over the years, donations to groups like the Sorin Society are helping to holistically shape the lives of students who walk the hallways of Notre Dame.

It is an incredible privilege to witness all that the Sorin Society and Notre Dame mean to our members. We are blessed that Julie, Jack, and the Rotolo family continue to support the University—now as parents of an alumnus—so that others may walk in their son’s footsteps.