Graduate Student Appreciation Week
2025 Grad Student Appreciation Week: October 6-12
Our graduate students are valued members of the ND community every day of the year, but we can't help but celebrate you in a special way this week! Come enjoy freebies, food, fun, and fellowship with other grad students as the whole Notre Dame family honors YOU!
The week will feature unique events and will highlight campus resources available to grad students all year through.
All Week
St. Michael's Laundry Discounts
7:30am - 4:00pm
Show your graduate or professional student ID at St. Michael's Laundry to receive 50% off up to 4 items for drycleaning, wetcleaning, or laundry. Sponsor: St. Michael's Laundry
Campus Dining Discounts
Our generous partners at Campus Dining have deals and discounts at Starbucks, Garbanzo's, Au Bon Pain, and the Dining Halls. Check out the details here. Sponsor: Campus Dining.
World Post Day
Celebrate World Post Day by writing and sending Notre Dame postcards to friends & family. Postcards can be picked up all week in the Grad Lounge in Duncan. Write and address them, then drop them off at the lounge so we can stamp and send them. Both domestic and international addresses are allowed.
Snacks in the Grad Lounge
GSG will put snacks out every day (M-F) in the Graduate Student Lounge in the Duncan Student Center. Stop by when you get the chance!
Partner: Graduate Student Government
Mass Intentions
Every chapel on campus will include graduate students in prayer intentions during Masses this week.
Partner: Campus Ministry
#thanksbetograds Social Media Contest
To amplify the week’s visibility, foster community spirit, and encourage teamwork, the Office of Graduate Student Life is hosting a social media challenge!
Share your #thanksbetograds posts on Instagram and Facebook for a chance to win a prize! Winners can choose their prize among the following: RecSports Personal Training Package (3 sessions), $100 in Domer Dollars, or 2 Front Row Club Memberships for DPAC.
DIY Campus Scavenger Hunt
As part of Graduate Student Appreciation Week, the Office of Graduate Student Life will host a DIY Scavenger Hunt across campus! Form a team and compete for prizes!
Football Ticket Drawing
The Office of the President is giving away ten pairs of football tickets during Graduate Student Appreciation Week! Attend select events to receive a ticket and enter our drawing. You must present your student ID to collect a ticket for the drawing. The more events you attend, the more drawing tickets you can submit!
Sponsor: Office of the President
Monday, October 6
Grab & Go Giveaways
9:00am - 10:30am, Hesburgh Library Courtyard
Swing by and pick up a free Grad Life t-shirt, free Rise'n Roll donuts, and other free goodies to kick-off GSAW. Did we mention everything is FREE?
International Mom's Group: Graduate Appreciation Week Breakfast
10:00am - 11:00am, Beichner Hall
Join our supportive community of women from across the globe for a special gathering! In celebration of Graduate Appreciation Week, the FRC will be serving a delicious American-style breakfast. Connect with friends, share stories, and enjoy a morning of community and conversation.
Partner: Family Resource Center
Tours of Fr. Ted's Office
2:00pm - 4:00pm , Hesburgh Library, 13th floor
Come see the world through Fr. Ted’s eyes, and catch a glimpse of the best view of the Dome anywhere on campus! What do these three things have in common: the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Olympic Torch, and a ring given by Pope Paul VI? All are on display in the 13th Floor Office of the late Fr. Ted Hesburgh, CSC, 15th President of the University of Notre Dame, and pioneering leader in the world of Catholic Higher Education.
Partner: Office of the President
Movie Monday at Midfield
7:00pm - 9:00pm , Midfield Commons, Duncan Student Center
Come enjoy pizza, popcorn and a family-friendly film on the big screen in Duncan. All are welcome!
Partner: The Graduate School
Tuesday, October 7
Sacred Art "Visio Divina"
11:00-11:30am, Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
Visio Divina, or “sacred seeing,” is an ancient form of Christian prayer in which we allow our hearts and imaginations to prayerfully and meditatively enter into an image. Join the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art for guided sessions of visio divina with sacred art in the Mary, Queen of Families Chapel. This opportunity is a wonderful way to spiritually engage with this unique, art-filled space. Whether you are new to the practice of visio divina or a long-time devotee, all are welcome for a moment of peace, prayer, and meditation. Meet at the Welcome Desk on Level 1. Always free and open to all. Originally published at raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu.
Sponsor: Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
Headshots & CV/Resume Drop-Ins
12:00-2:00pm, Duncan Student Center, 5th Floor North
Join Graduate Career Services (GCS) on the North End of the 5th floor of Duncan Student Center on October 7th from Noon to 2PM as we celebrate graduate students during Graduate Student Appreciation Week. At that time GCS will offer walk-in resume and CV reviews and help students as they take professional-grade headshots using our self-service headshot booth. During that time, students can also talk with their dedicated career consultants about any other professional and career development needs. GCS looks forward to seeing you there!
Sponsor: Graduate Career Services
Family Friendly Grad Lounge Launch
4:30-6:00pm, Graduate Student Lounge, Duncan Student Center
Join Grad Life in the launch of several new family-friendly additions to the Grad Lounge. Changes will include highchairs, children's books, coloring pages, and toddler-approved snacks.
Partner: Family Resource Center
Wednesday, October 8
Fresh Check Day!
11:00am-2:00pm, Fieldhouse Mall
Fresh Check Day is a mental health fair designed just for you! Think of it like a festival with a purpose! Instead of stuffy lectures, you'll find interactive booths, free food, music, and prizes. Each booth focuses on a different aspect of mental health, covering everything from stress management to building healthy friendships. The goal? To show you that mental health matters, and it's totally okay to talk about it. It's all about checking in with yourself and your friends, because a little check-in can make a big difference. Food options include Tom's Travelin Coffee Truck, Insomnia Cookies, and Jimmy Johns! All for free, plus free t-shirts!
Sponsors: McWell, UCC, The Graduate School, GSG, and Grad Life
Mentor Up: Aligning Expectations
11:30pm - 12:45pm, G03 Bond Hall
Problems between mentors and mentees often arise from misunderstandings about expectations. This session of a 6-part series is designed to provide scholars the knowledge and skills to: 1) effectively establish mutually beneficial expectations; 2) clearly communicate expectations; and 3) align mentee and mentor expectations. Lunch will be provided. Learn more and RSVP here.
Sponsor: Graduate School
LASER Symposium
5:15pm - 7:45pm, 101 Jordan Hall of Science
The Graduate School cordially invites you to join us for the 2025 Leadership Advancing Socially Engaged Research (LASER) Symposium. This is an opportunity to hear about the participants' experiences in the LASER program and learn about their leadership and social engagement projects, as well as celebrate the completion of the year-long program. Each participant will make formal, but brief, comments to the audience about their experience. Following the program, guests are invited to stay for a reception in the Galleria, where they can speak directly with LASER participants. RSVP here.
Sponsor: The Graduate School
Thursday, October 9
Get Your South Bend Library Card at the FRC!
10:00am - 12:00pm, Family Resource Center (FRC) at Beichner Hall
An Outreach Librarian from the St. Joe County Public Library will be visiting the Family Resource Center to help you sign up for a free library card. This is a wonderful opportunity to unlock a world of books, digital resources, community programs, and more for you and your family. Bagels and coffee will be provided!
Partner: Family Resource Center
GSG Succulent Giveaway
1:00pm, Graduate Student Lounge, Duncan Student Center
Come pick up a free succulent to add a lovely green spark to your home or office! (While supplies last.)
Sponsor: Graduate Student Government
Therapy Dog Thursday
1:00pm - 1:30pm, Graduate Student Lounge, Duncan Student Center
NDPD's very special Comfort K9, Orla, will be visiting the lounge every Thursday afternoon for pets, treats, cuddles, and play time. Come and spend some time with your new furry friend!
Learn more about Orla at https://ndworks.nd.edu/news/meet-orla-notre-dames-first-therapy-and-outreach-dog/.
Sponsor: NDPD
LASU Young Scholars Conference
Thursday & Friday, Hesburgh Center
The Graduate Latin American Students Unidos from Notre Dame (LASU) invites you to a two-day conference celebrating the research, scholarship, and academic excellence of Notre Dame graduate and postdoctoral students across disciplines. With over 35 presenters, the conference will feature:
- Eight interdisciplinary panels on topics ranging from the humanities and social sciences to law, global affairs, science and engineering
- A poster session highlighting innovative research projects
- A Graduate Alumni Panel with ND Ph.D. alumni now working in academia across the U.S. and Latin America in collaboration with the Kellogg Institute
- A Faculty Panel with ND faculty from the Institute for Latino Studies
- Special session on career development, postdoctoral opportunities, and inclusive excellence in higher education
Open to the Notre Dame community – students, faculty, and staff are all welcome! Come support your peers, connect across disciplines, and engage in rich academic conversations! Learn more here.
Sponsors: LASU, ILS, Kellogg Institute
Friday, October 10
Campus Green Tour
12:00pm - 1:00pm, Walsh Family Architecture Building
Join Notre Dame Sustainability for a walk around campus to experience the beauty of Notre Dame. Participants will learn about some of the sustainability initiatives and investments happening at the University that may otherwise go unseen! Only 20 spots are available, so don't wait to sign up!
This event is open to the public and will be weather permitting. Please be prepared to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
Register today
Sponsor: Office of Sustainability
Meet Your Museum Tour
1:00pm - 2:00pm, Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
This drop-in tour will introduce you to your new Raclin Murphy Museum of Art. Join a student gallery teacher or a member of the Museum staff to explore the architecture of the building through some of its most unique spaces, revisit familiar favorites from the collection, and discover works of art on view for the first time.
Sponsor: Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
Cultivating Hope Forum
4:00pm - 5:00pm, 215/216 McKenna Hall and Livestream
Join Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. for a conversation with General (Ret.) Martin Dempsey who will draw on his experiences as the senior leader of the United States Military from 2011–2015 to offer insights about the importance of creating a culture of hope and building relationships based on trust while navigating even the most daunting challenges. Scan the QR Code for more details.
The livestream feed will be posted to the page linked above prior to the event.
Sponsor: Office of the President
LASU Reception: Celebrating the Grad Students
5:00pm - 7:00pm, Hesburgh Center, Great Hall
Join LASU for cookies and conversation as they wrap up their conference! Partners: LASU, ILS, Kellogg Institute
Midterm Breakfast Break
9:00pm -11:00pm, South Dining Hall
Take a break from the books and treat yourself at Midterm Breakfast Break! Join us for a cozy night of free breakfast food, stress-relieving crafts, and fun wellness goodie bags. Come unwind, refuel, and recharge—you’ve earned it! Free to all students. Sponsor: SAO
Saturday, October 11
Free Food - Gameday Concessions
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Three graduate clubs will be co-hosting 2 gameday concession stands on campus. AGC & AWIS will be in front of Galvin Hall on Library Lawn, and ALPASA will be near the Law School arch. Print out and present this coupon along with your ND ID card showing you are a graduate or professional student and get free food courtesy of Graduate Student Life! Partners: AGC, AWIS, ALPASA
ND v NC State Gameday
Gamedays at ND have more than just football. Check out the list of events, offers, concerts, lectures, activities, traditions and more at experience.nd.edu!
Sunday, October 12
Mass at Fischer Grad
11:00am-12:00pm, Fischer Community Center
Join us for prayer at the weekly Sunday Mass at Fischer Grad. The chapel, located inside the Fischer Community Center, is named in honor of the patron saint of scholars, Catherine of Alexandria. All scholars, families, and guests welcome!
Partner: Campus Ministry
Sunday Brunch
12:00pm - 1:30pm, Fischer Community Center
Sunday meals are a tradition that conjures warm memories of home, family, and comfort food. Come join us for a family-style meal - sitting together, sharing food together, and enjoying time together. RSVP here! Registration deadline is noon on Friday, and attendance is limited to the first 120 students & guests.
Partner: Campus Ministry
Many thanks to our partners & sponsors:
St. Michael's Laundry, Campus Dining, Campus Ministry, Kaneb Center, Office of the President, Graduate Student Government, Graduate School, UCC, McWell, LASU, AWIS, AGC, ALPASA, CSLC, FRC.
Thank yous from our Deans!
A message to Notre Dame graduate students from Michael Hildreth, dean of the Graduate School, associate provost and vice president for graduate studies, and professor of physics and astronomy. For Graduate Student Appreciation Week, the deans recorded short messages of gratitude. Watch their heartfelt thanks below!