Formation of GALA-ND/SMC
In the fall of 1993, GALA-ND/SMC (Gay and Lesbian Alumni/ae of the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College) formed to help educate the academic community about sexual orientation issues and to promote solidarity among gay, lesbian, and bisexual graduates from the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College. Since its formation, GALA-ND/SMC has grown to an organization of nearly 700 members.
We believe a visible national organization of lesbian and gay alumni is one important way to assist the student group, Gays and Lesbians at Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College (GLND/SMC), and to educate the entire ND/SMC community on matters of sexual orientation. As alumni, we are in a unique position to do this. GALA-ND/SMC has already become an important way for members to network, re-connect with classmates, and communicate with other alumni across the country.
GALA's Mission
The purpose of GALA-ND/SMC (Gay and Lesbian Alumni of Notre Dame and St. Mary's College) is:
- to promote solidarity and friendship among gay, lesbian, and bisexual graduates, former students, and friends of the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College;
- to provide financial and moral support to GLND/SMC (Gays and Lesbians at Notre Dame/Saint Mary's College);
- to sponsor, direct, and participate in activities of any nature including charitable, educational, spiritual, and athletic, which further the interests of lesbian and gay alumni and friends of the two schools;
- to improve communication with university and college officials; and
- to increase the visibility of gay and lesbian alumni at Notre Dame and St. Mary's and nationwide.
GALA's History
Over the course of GALA's history--comprising just a few years--GALA has grown very quickly to include over 500 members. Such rapid growth, of course, means that a lot has happened in a very short time. GALA-ND/SMC chair Tom Zahn '67 has written a column in each newsletter entitled From the Chair in which he has captured the major events in the group's history by giving an account of the goings-on at each stage in GALA's development:
- From the Chair, Winter/Spring 1995
- From the Chair, Summer/Fall 1995
- From the Chair, Winter 1996
- From the Chair, Summer 1997
GALA Officers
Running GALA-ND/SMC takes a lot of work behind the scenes! Here are the people who are dedicated and generous (if not a little crazy) enough to do it:
- Chair: Thomas R. Zahn '67
- Vice Chair: Francis A. Feeley '90
- Secretary: Elizabeth M. Karle '85
- Treasurer: Arthur A. Panfile '75
Contact Information
GALA-ND/SMC is reachable in the following ways:
- USnail
- GALA-ND/SMC
University Club of Saint Paul
420 Summit Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102 - galandsmc@aol.com
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