Organizations, Activities, and Events

The University offers numerous opportunities to develop deeper understandings of our community, our world, and ourselves and through participation in activities, organizations, and events.

Alumni Association

The Alumni Association serves all constituents who demonstrate an interest and commitment in support of the University's mission. Supported by the Alumni Office, the Alumni Association represents alumni from all disciplines, undergraduate and graduate. The Alumni Association values the rich diversity of its membership and provides continuing support through its programs and involvement opportunities. These programs can address the specific needs of the individual groups within the alumni and at the same time work for institutional advancement and enhancement. More information is available on the Alumni home page.

Associated Students of Notre Dame de Namur University (ASNDNU)

ASNDNU represents the interests of all students through their participation in the governance of the University. ASNDNU also charters numerous clubs and organizations representing students' cultural, academic, and social interests.  More information is available at www.ndnu.edu/campus-life/clubs-orgs/asndnu.aspx.

Commencement

At the end of the Spring semester, the University honors its graduates with a commencement ceremony held on the NDNU campus. (See the Academic Calendar for dates.) The ceremony features a procession of the University's graduates, faculty, administration, Board of Trustees, and honorees. The program is highlighted by speeches from graduating undergraduate and graduate students, along with a distinguished invited speaker. The ceremony concludes with the conferring of degrees.

Convocation

The University celebrates the beginning of each academic year with this formal gathering that includes an academic procession, a featured speaker, and a welcome to the new students from the President, Provost, and campus community.

Honor Societies

Notre Dame de Namur University offers membership in the following honor societies:

Alpha Mu Gamma - Alpha Mu Gamma is the national language honor society. The NDNU - Belmont chapter, Alpha Delta, is open to men and women. The purpose of Alpha Mu Gamma is the recognition of linguistic achievement, the encouragement of interest in the languages, literatures, and civilization of other peoples, and the furthering of the ideals of friendship and international understanding. For membership, a student must have two college "A's" and one college "B" in the same language, each representing three units, or two high school "A's" may replace one college "B". One need not be a language major or even be continuing courses in the language. There are special conditions for international students.

Delta Epsilon Sigma - In May 1971, Notre Dame de Namur University established the Delta Zeta Chapter of Delta Epsilon Sigma, a national honor society for men and women of Catholic colleges and universities. The chapter recognizes academic accomplishments, fosters scholarly activities, and provides an intellectual meeting ground for its members. Juniors and seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher in the major and in the general education program may be nominated after one semester of residence. Graduate students who have achieved a GPA of 3.9 or higher become eligible for nomination at the time of the graduation audit.

Kappa Gamma Pi - Membership in Kappa Gamma Pi is awarded to ten percent of the men and women of the senior class who have distinguished themselves by high academic rank and outstanding leadership.

Lambda Pi Eta - The Alpha Beta Gamma chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the official Communication National Honor Society, begain in May 2004.  The Greek letters represent what Aristotle described in his book of rhetoric as the three ingredients of persuasion: Logos (Lambda) meaning logic, Patho (Pi) relating to emotion, and Ethos (Eta) defined as character, credibility, and ethics.  For membership, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher with 60 semester or 90 quarter credit hours completed and a GPA of 3.25 or higher in communication studies courses with 12 semester or 18 quarter credit hours completed.  

Omicron Delta Kappa - Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Inc. is the National Leadership Honor Society for college students.  The Notre Dame de Namur University circle of Omicron Delta Kappa recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character.  Membership in ODK is a mark of highest distinction and honor.  The Society recognizes achievement in scholarship; athletics; campus or community service; social and religious activities and campus government; journalish, speech and the mass media; and the creative and performing arts.  Emphasis is placed on the development of the whole person, both as a member of the college community and as a contritubor to a better society.

Psi Chi - In April 1995, Notre Dame de Namur University established the campus chapter of Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology. The chapter stimulates professional growth through extracurricular programs and activities, and provides practical experience and fellowship through participation in local, regional, and national conferences. Undergraduate students may apply for membership with the completion of at least four psychology courses, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a psychology GPA of 3.8 or higher. Graduate students may apply for membership with the completion of four psychology courses and a cumulative (psychology) GPA of 3.8 of higher.

Sigma Beta Delta - Sigma Beta Delta is a national honor society in business, management, and administration. Its purpose is to encourage and recognize scholarship and accomplishment among students of business, management, and administration as well as to encourage and promote aspirations toward personal and professional improvement and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind. Membership is open to undergraduate and graduate business administration students who rank in the top 20% of the School of Business and Management.

Intercollegiate Athletics

The Athletics Department provides students with a competitive sports program that is consistent with the University's mission of education of the whole person. Intercollegiate athletics plays a large part in the student-athlete's overall collegiate educational experience. Student-athletes are students first, athletes second. Success is measured not only by wins, but also by the development of skill, the cultivation of team and community spirit, and the ability to achieve a productive academic and personal life. See Undergraduate Policies and Procedures for information on eligibility.

NDNU sponsors men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, women's volleyball, men's lacrosse, and women's softball.

Ralston Hall Cultural Events

The elegant ballroom, dining room, and other areas on the first floor of the Ralston Hall Mansion provide gracious settings for the Ralston Concert Series, presenting professional chamber musicians in concert, the Ralston Lecture Series, featuring lively, entertaining, and informative presentations by noted speakers on Bay Area history, student recitals and receptions, and many other special events.

Study Abroad and Student Exchange Programs

The University offers opportunities for students to study abroad for one or two semesters, preferably as juniors. Programs are available in Great Britain, France, Spain, Greece, Japan, and numerous other countries. A study abroad program must be approved by the Study Abroad Advisor and by the student's major advisor. Information and guidance on the Study Abroad program is available from the Student Exchange/Study Abroad Advisor.

The University provides sophomore and junior students the opportunity to spend either a semester or a year at its sister colleges, Trinity College in Washington, D.C. or Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts, through the Student Exchange Program. Students participating in these programs remain officially enrolled at their home campus and need not file for an official leave of absence. The University has an institutional agreement to nominate senior, junior, or second-semester sophmore students each year, to study in the Washington Semester Program, administered by American University in Washington D.C. Interested students should contact the Student Exchange/Study Abroad Advisor for application materials and detailed information about Trinity and Emmanuel campuses and Dr. Ali Ferdowsi for information about American University.

Visiting Scholars Program

The Sr. Catharine Julie Cunningham Endowed Chair, dedicated to the late president of College of Notre Dame, brings regional and national scholars to campus. Notables appearing in past years include Seamus Heaney, poet, Dr. Robert Bellah, sociologist, Dr. Manuel C. Velásquez, ethicist, Dr. Ilan Chabay, scientist and science educator, Dr. Harry Edwards, sociologist, Dr. Stephen Greenblatt, Shakespearean scholar, Dr. David Thornburg, futurist, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, economist, Dr. Clayborne Carson, historian and editor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project, Jon Carroll, San Francisco Chronicle columnist, Sr. Mary Orna, analytical chemist/chemistry of color, Dr. Linda Gantt, psychologist/use of art therapy in trauma, John Walker, artist, Dr. Carl Djerassi, chemist, Dr. Kenan Osborne, OFM, theologist, Dr. Fred Luskin, psychologist and lecturer on forgiveness and health, and Dr. David Ostwald, theatre director.