Sr. Jean Lenz, O.S.F. Award

On June 5, 2009, the GRC announced the creation of the Sr. Jean Lenz, O.S.F. Award. 

This award honors Notre Dame men and women who continue the ministry that Sr. Jean began in the early years of co-education at Notre Dame, namely helping men and women build strong self identities and relationships with one another.  Honorees will be selected by the staff of the Gender Relations Center annually in the spring semester.

About Sr. Jean and the Award

A Chicago native and a Franciscan sister of the Congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, Sister Jean, who earned a master's degree in theology from Notre Dame in 1967, was among the first women rectors on campus following the University's transition to coeducation in 1972 after 130 years as an all-male institution.

Serving as rector of Farley Hall, rector and chaplain of Notre Dame's London Program, assistant vice president for student affairs,  and instructor in theology, Sister Jean inspired and nurtured the first generations of Notre Dame women.  As an administrator, teacher, mentor, minister and alumna of the University, she also helped countless Notre Dame men and women learn how to share their lives simply by sharing her own with them.  She has celebrated the mutually salvific promise of gender relations by exemplifying it.  She has shown that the promise of salvation is inextricably bound up in relationships with others.

The Sr. Jean Lenz, O.S.F. Award has been established to honor Notre Dame women and men who have borne such witness as hers.

2011 Honorees
Mariah McGrogan
Thomas Bailey-Robertson

2010 Honorees
Timothy Latham
Laura Lauck
Pettinella McOsker
Patrick Tighe