Pioneers Together: The University and the Michiana Community
In 1842, the civic leaders of a small but growing village on the St. Joseph River welcomed Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., a French priest whose aspirations were as ambitious as their own. The priest envisioned a great educational institution on the river's opposite bank.
While pioneers such as Alexis Coquillard,
Henry and Clement Studebaker, Schuyler Colfax, and James Oliver forged
an agricultural and manufacturing center that would become known around the
world, Father Sorin and his successors employed the minds and energies
of men and women religious to build a self-supported Catholic university.
Today, the University of Notre Dame and the South Bend community work together
as pioneers in a post-manufacturing era that also calls for leadership,
vision, and entrepreneurial spirit. Internationally respected as a Catholic
institution of higher education, Notre Dame is Michiana's largest employer
and a significant economic generator.
The University of Notre Dame is committed to a new era of local activism and cooperation. As the University grows its research base and expands its graduate study programs, it will become an increasingly important source of technological expertise and support for the region’s businesses. Current collaborations on efforts to link South Bend to the major fiber optic telecommunication networks and create a certified technology park will form the basis for future cooperation in pursuit of economic vitality and growth. The University, city, and county share a number of common goals and interests in creating a better quality of life for all Michiana residents.
To read more about the University’s economic impact on the region, you can access the full text of the Economic Impact Report online.