Gender Relations Center

Class: 2014
Hometown: Spesbach, Germany
Residence: Cavanaugh Hall
Major: Psychology & Marketing
Email: barbuckl@nd.edu
I am a FIRE Starter because... I want to be a force of positive change for the University of Notre Dame.  The FIRE Starters work with issues (sexual assault, eating disorders, gender relations, etc.) that are extremely relevant to our campus and through our work, we are able to raise awareness and improve our community.

My favorite thinkg about Notre Dame is... the friends and people I've become close with.

A fun fact about me is... when I was little, I was in commercials.

Class: 2013
Hometown: Mountain Top, PA
Residence: Off Campus
Major: Anthropology & Spanish
Email: mbrenhol@nd.edu
I am a FIRE Starter because... I want to help Notre Dame become the best university it can be by directly addressing the issues and problems that I have seen my friends and peers most affected by.

My favorite thing about Notre Dame is...  the amount of incredible opportunities the university offers for academic, personal and spiritual growth.

 A fun fact about me is... I've never had a brain freeze.

Class: 2014
Hometown: Lisle, IL
Residence: Off Campus
Major: Science Business
Email: mchatman@nd.edu
I am a FIRE Starter because...  I want to make Notre Dame feel like home for everyone.  Everyone deserves to feel safe and loved here!

I am also excited to be part of this group and to have the ability to make a difference on our campus regarding gender-based issues.

 My favorite thing about Notre Dame is... being surrounded by and challenged by some of the most intelligent and talented people that I have ever met.

A fun fact about me is... I can't smell skunks.

Class: 2014
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Residence: Siegfried Hall
Major: Africana Studies/Peace Studies, Gender Studies minor
Email: acoccia@nd.edu
I am a FIRE Starter because... in order to spark open discussion, dialogue, acceptance, and understanding one must share the passion in one’s heart. I believe that presenting constructive ideas in creative ways to foster progress in social norms, especially in the ways we understand gender, will lead to a safer and more welcoming campus environment. 

My favorite thing about Notre Dame is... being a member of a community that fights for social justice, equality, and the protection of the dignity of each individual and that has members who have such passion for and commitment to building a healthy and inclusive community.

A fun fact about me is... I am a member of the 2011 National Championship ND Fencing Team.

Class: 2014
Hometown: Sugarloaf, PA
Residence: Walsh Hall
Major: Psychology
Email: kferrell@nd.edu
I am a FIRE Starter because... I want to help people feel like they belong at Notre Dame.  No matter what life throws at you, each and every student here earned their spot and should feel proud about calling Notre Dame home.

My favorite thing about Notre Dame is... the tradition.  With our family behind us, we are one beneath the dome.

A fun fact about me is... I have an obsession with Sprinkles Cupcakes: 6 nationwide locations down; 4 to go.

Class: 2013
Hometown: Ocala, FL
Residence: Off Campus
Major: Japanese, Pre-Med, International Business Certificate
Email: afloyd2@nd.edu
I am a FIRE Starter because... I enjoy discussing issues that are often avoided in normal conversation. Since coming to Notre Dame, I feel many people turn the other way when topics such as sexual violence, gays and lesbians, and pre-marital pregnancies are brought up. Although I respect Notre Dame’s Catholic identity, I am not afraid to discuss these things openly. 

My favorite thing about Notre Dame is... how much my professors care about me; and being with my friends

A fun fact about me is...  I like to paint my nails even prettier than salon nails, and I have 1/2 Asian and can speak Japanese.

Class: 2013
Hometown: Milton, MA
Residence: Off Campus
Major: English Honors, Creative Writing Concentration/Education, Schooling, and Society
Email: lhartiga@nd.edu
I am a FIRE Starter because... dialogue needs to open up at Notre Dame.  Our campus isn't perfect, but we must strive to make it so.  Silencing issues and problems on our campus is unacceptable.  Everyone deserves a voice: a voice that can be heard.

My Favorite thing about Notre Dame is... the lifelong and wonderful friends who have come into my life on this campus.

A fun fact about me is... that I met Dean Thomas from the Harry Potter movies on the tube in London.  We maintained a normal and pleasant conversation despite my desire to make fun of his Will Smith circa Fresh Prince of Bel Air jacket.

Class: 2014
Hometown: Pepperell, MA
Residence: Ryan Hall
Major: Marketing and Italian
Email: njonas@nd.edu
I am a FIRE Starter because... I want to open myself up to personal growth through working with such and insightful group of people and in doing so, I hope to prompt others to reflect on their own opinions and eperience a similar growth.

My favorite thing about Notre Dame is... the opportunities available to students for intellectual, emotional and spiritual development.

A fun fact about me is... My pupils are two different sizes.