ND senior chosen to represent University
By KATE NAGENGAST
Assistant News Editor
As a representative for Notre Dame, senior Brendan Dowdall, a classical Greek major and the co-president of the University's Habitat for Humanity club, was chosen to be a member of the national board for Habitat's campus chapters.
This year was the first meeting of the board for University and High School clubs, and Notre Dame was among six colleges and two high schools chosen as national representatives.
"It's somewhat experimental for them, but I think it's a great idea because it will give some guidance to the campus chapters," said Dowdall. "We will be able to address some big issues."
Notre Dame's Habitat club is one of a few campus organizations that fund and build houses autonomously from their local affiliate. Although Notre Dame works closely with the St. Joseph County Habitat chapter, especially on logistical issues, the University students have undertaken the project of building a house of their own.
"One of my main issues is the relationship between the affiliate and the campus chapters," said Dowdall. "I think it is very important and affects many people."
Dowdall will have an opportunity to discuss these issues as a member of the national board. Each of the nine national representatives will be assigned a specific subtopic to lead for the board. For example, the Habitat's 25th anniversary or in Dowdall's case, the relationship between the campus chapter and the local affiliates will serve as possible topics of discussion.
The representatives will also serve on a variety of committees.
The national board's first and only meeting will occur in Georgian during the month of February. Following this event, further organizational discourse will take place over the phone until September when the group's efforts conclude.
"I think my election was really a tribute to the work that our club has done rather than my personal [involvement]," said Dowdall. "We really pioneered what you can do as a campus chapter."
All News Stories for Tuesday, December 5, 2000
