Thanksgiving at Notre Dame: So Much to Be Grateful For

The Golden Dome of the Notre Dame Main Building shines under a blue sky, framed by trees displaying vibrant red, orange, and yellow autumn leaves.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s a special blessing to reflect on all of the aspects of Notre Dame that make this place truly feel like home. From inspiring professors who mentor and teach us about our interests and passions to moments shared over a Southwest Salad with our friends in the dining hall, our days at Notre Dame are filled with moments that make us grateful.

Here, six students reflect on the people, places, and opportunities they're thankful for.

Young woman with long, highlighted brown hair and a black blazer, smiling broadly at the camera against a gray background.

Alexandra Pelikan '26

Biochemistry major and Marketing minor
St. Louis, Missouri

“I’m really thankful for the amazing scenery and environment during fall at Notre Dame. I always appreciate the beauty of the world around me. In addition, I’m really thankful for all the friendships I’ve forged while at Notre Dame. As we approach the holiday season, I find myself reflecting on just how meaningful those relationships are to me,”

A young man with dark hair smiles broadly, showing teeth, while wearing a red, white, and blue plaid button-down shirt against a plain white background.

Ryan Mescher '27

Physics
Severna Park, Maryland

“I’m grateful for the support of my friends and family in my life. For the opportunities that have been given to me at Notre Dame to help me succeed in my future. For Notre Dame Football! ”

A young man with dark hair smiles broadly, wearing a white polo shirt with a navy blue collar, standing in front of blurred green foliage.

Ethan Chiang '27

Business Analytics and Global Affairs
Ontario, Canada

“I'm grateful for all the students, faculty, and staff here who make it worth celebrating Thanksgiving two months later than I usually do (in Canada)! I'm also thankful to Campus Dining for preparing a special Thanksgiving meal for those who stay on campus and to my professors, who have invited me to their homes for dinner!”

A young woman with long blonde hair smiles at the viewer, wearing a black dress with a small white floral pattern and a silver necklace. A blurry green and yellow outdoor background is behind her.

Molly Maxwell '26

Science Pre-Professional Studies
Rochester, New York

“I am grateful for the view out the windows of the upper levels of the library when the leaves change color. Since everything is so flat, you can see the colors stretching on for miles on end! I’m also thankful for that week or so when the weather is getting cool, but the heat hasn’t kicked in yet in the buildings, so I can still wear sweaters all the time without getting hot in class!”

A young woman with long dark hair, freckles, and pearl earrings smiles widely at the camera, showing teeth. She wears a black top and a silver necklace with a small pendant. Behind her are a palm tree wrapped in string lights and green grass.

Kathleen Hanratty '26

Finance and Accounting majors, French minor
Atlanta, Georgia

“Since it’s senior year, I’m taking in every moment. It’s so special being surrounded by my friends in a place that I love so much! On the flip side, I’m also thankful for the seasons at Notre Dame because I don’t really get those back home in Atlanta—so I get to wear puffers and watch fun festive movies here.”

Smiling young woman with long brown hair, wearing a black v-neck top and a silver necklace, standing outdoors amidst lush green foliage and purple flowers.

Mary Braden '26

Global Affairs major, Peace Studies and Irish Studies minors
Elmhurst, IL

“I'm grateful for the opportunity to attend the school that I've always loved and has been a special part of my family. Walking around campus, I always see little reminders of the stories my dad told me growing up about his time at Notre Dame, and I feel even closer to him!”

From all of us in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!

Two smiling female students, one with dark braided hair in a black sweatshirt, the other with long dark hair in a cream cardigan, toast red drinks. They sit at a fall-themed table in a crowded university dining hall.