Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., will lead a University delegation on a week-long trip to three South American countries in order to strengthen relationships and grow Notre Dame’s presence in academic, Church and government sectors there.
The trip begins Sunday, March 6, in Santiago, Chile, where the delegation will spend three days meeting with government and academic leaders. Highlighting the trip will be audiences with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and with Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, archbishop of Santiago, who also serves as the great chancellor of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. He was appointed cardinal by Pope Francis in January 2014.
From Chile, the Notre Dame leaders will spend two days in Buenos Aires, Argentina, meeting with university, Church and corporate officials.
Capping off the trip, the delegation will spend two days in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where Father Jenkins will address civic and academic leaders.
“As a global university, Notre Dame must be engaged around the world to develop and expand research opportunities for faculty and students and to build relationships with civic organizations and the Church,” said Father Jenkins. “Latin America is vitally important to our future.”
Father Jenkins will be accompanied by Thomas G. Burish, Notre Dame’s Charles and Jill Fischer Provost, and Nicholas Entrikin, vice president and associate provost for internationalization.
Over the past 10 years, Notre Dame has seen an increase in undergraduates and graduate students from South America. Currently, more than 230 students from Latin America and the Caribbean attend Notre Dame.