Former President George W. Bush helps dedicate O’Neill Hall | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Former President George W. Bush helps dedicate O’Neill Hall Former President George W. Bush helps dedicate O’Neill Hall Published: October 28, 2017 Author: Dennis Brown Former US President George W. Bush speaking at O'Neill Hall dedication Former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush participated Friday night in the dedication of O’Neill Hall at the University of Notre Dame. The Bushes are longtime friends of Joseph I. O’Neill III, for whom the building is named, and his wife, Jan. It was the former president’s sixth visit to Notre Dame, most notable among them May 20, 2001, when he received an honorary degree and served as the principal speaker at Notre Dame’s 156th Commencement. In what was his first presidential commencement address, he delivered what was then his most forceful message on faith-based initiatives, saying, “Government should never fund the teaching of faith, but it should support the good works of the faithful.” Prior visits included attendance at two football games and on March 7, 1980, when he spoke on behalf of his father’s presidential candidacy at the University’s Mock Republican Convention. As president, Bush delivered a speech March 4, 2005, at the Joyce Center on Social Security reform. A 1967 graduate of Notre Dame, Joseph O’Neill has served as a member of the University’s Board of Trustees since 2001. He is managing partner of O’Neill Properties Ltd. in Midland, Texas. The 100,000-square-foot, seven-story O’Neill Hall is located on the south side of Notre Dame Stadium and was made possible by a gift to the University from Helen Schwab and her husband, Charles, in honor of her brother. O’Neill Hall features the LaBar Family Recital Hall, LaBar Family Performance Hall, a music library, a lab for studio production, a lecture hall, classrooms and rehearsal spaces, numerous practice rooms and faculty offices for both the Department of Music and the Sacred Music at Notre Dame program. Posted In: University News Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 03, 2022 Congresswoman Liz Cheney to speak at Notre Dame on the future of democracy September 22, 2022 In memoriam: Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C., longtime leader for Notre Dame, Congregation of Holy Cross September 22, 2022 ND Forum keynote event to feature Emmy Award-winning actors in Theater of War Productions’ presentation of ‘The Suppliants’ in Notre Dame Stadium September 21, 2022 In annual address to faculty, Father Jenkins outlines campus-wide vision for elevating excellence September 15, 2022 Lilly Endowment Inc. grant helps to expand Notre Dame pre-college programs for Hoosier high school students For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn