The Heart’s Desire & Being on the Margins
Rev. Dan Groody, C.S.C., '86 interviews Notre Dame Vice President for University Relations Lou Nanni '84, '88 M.A. Lou will describe how he discerned his “heart’s desire” at a young age and begin creating social change through his professional career. For two years following graduation, Lou served as a lay missioner working in a Santiago, Chile, shantytown as part of the Holy Cross Associates program. He then served eight years as executive director of the Center for the Homeless in South Bend, Ind., establishing the center as a national model in addressing the complex issues involved in homelessness.
Lou Nanni '84, '88 M.A.
Presented by Dan Groody
Louis M. Nanni ’84, ’88 M.A. is the vice president for University Relations at the University of Notre Dame. In this role he oversees the University’s efforts in development, advisory councils, special events, and the Notre Dame Alumni Association.
Prior to joining Notre Dame in 1999, Mr. Nanni had served for eight years as executive director of the Center for the Homeless in South Bend, Ind., establishing the center as a national model in addressing the complex issues involved in homelessness. As a leading authority on those issues, he addressed Congress during its debate of welfare reform measures and led training sessions for thousands of community service workers across North America, all the while continuing to form close personal relationships with the center’s guests.
Mr. Nanni graduated from Notre Dame in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in government and the Program of Liberal Studies. For two years following graduation, he served as a lay missioner working in a Santiago, Chile, shantytown as part of the Holy Cross Associates program sponsored by Notre Dame’s founding religious order, the Congregation of Holy Cross. He then entered Notre Dame’s pioneering international peace studies program, earning a master’s degree in 1988.
Mr. Nanni became director of the world mission office of the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, Fla., in 1988 and worked extensively in the Dominican Republic on issues of pastoral support and economic development. He was elected to Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees as a three-year, young alumni member in 1990.
Mr. Nanni and his wife, Carmen, a 1993 Notre Dame graduate, were presented one of three national exemplar awards by Notre Dame as part of a special University observance in May 1997. He previously served on the advisory council for Notre Dame’s Institute for Church Life and in 1994 received the Notre Dame Alumni Association’s Dr. Thomas Dooley Award for Humanitarian Service.
The Nannis have five children, Isabela, Louis, Katia, Gabriel, and Sofia.
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Presented by Dan Groody
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Featured Speakers:
- Rev. Daniel G. Groody, C.S.C., Vice President and Associate Provost; Associate Professor of Theology and Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame
- Lou Nanni, Vice President of University Relations, University of Notre Dame
Podcast: Heart's Desire & Social Change
Presented by Dan Groody
Listen to the latest episodes and learn more on heartsdesiresocialchange.com.