Legacy: Ed and Clare Charbonnet

One of the hallmarks of the famed Notre Dame Spirit is the unique sense of family that permeates her sons and daughters. An important component to that sense of family is the Legacy tradition. Roughly 25% of Notre Dame students are legacies; their parent(s) are Notre Dame grads. The concept may be described in words but, to understand it, you have to feel it. Here is a wonderful video that speaks for itself.

Memphis alum duo, Ed [‘71] and Clare [‘07] Charbonnet of Memphis are featured in this video profile, entitled “Annual Gifts Express Father’s Gratitude.”

The video is one of a series of interesting alumni profiles geared to promote the “Supporting Notre Dame” campaign on the University’s website. Aside from the original purpose of the video, there is a great human interest story about the Spirit of Notre Dame, about Legacy, about daughters and dads. The video is a tear-jerker; so, grab a hankie or box of tissues and enjoy this Memphis moment.

The original text associated with the video on the Notre Dame site is worth reading:

For years, Ed Charbonnet (’71) has made a habit of giving back to Notre Dame. His gifts, typically in support of the Annual Fund or his alumni club’s scholarship, are a way to honor the University’s impact on his family and make sure that other young people have the same opportunities he enjoyed.

“Growing up Catholic in New Orleans,” he says, “we all knew about Notre Dame. Coming here was actually my father’s idea. I had a full scholarship to a university back home, but my dad thought Notre Dame was too good to pass up. He enjoyed my time here as much as I did.”

A few decades later, Charbonnet knew exactly how his father had felt—and then some. His daughter Clare (’07) not only chose the same university as her father, but also the same major (engineering). She even lived in his old dorm, Cavanaugh Hall. Like many students, Clare’s Notre Dame career was not certain until she received her financial aid letter. “Her mother was so delighted when that letter came,” says Charbonnet, “knowing that this was really going to happen and that we would be able to afford it.”

Clare shares her parents’ gratitude. “If I met all those benefactors,” she says, “I would say thank you a hundred times over for giving me the knowledge, the desire to learn for life, the growth of my faith, for all the football memories and lifelong friends I take with me. How can you possibly say thank you enough for that?”

For her father, saying “thank you” begins with a small gift, one that will help someone else’s daughter to realize her own dreams.

Acknowledgements: The Notre Dame Club of Memphis appreciates the special efforts of Katherine Rossworm [Senior Director, Development Marketing, Communications, and Stewardship, Notre Dame] who was instrumental in the Charbonnet video production and Amy Shell [Web and Communications Administrator, University of Notre Dame] who arranged for a unique web page for this video presentation in conjunction with www.ndmemphis.com.

And, thanks to Ed and Clare: Well played; Like a Champion. Comments?