New Library Opens at Our Lady of Hungary Catholic School Through ACE Partnership

South Bend, Indiana — Students at Our Lady of Hungary Catholic School were welcomed into a newly transformed library on Tuesday, April 28, as part of the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation’s Extra Yard Makeover Project.

The renovation was made possible through a collaboration between the College Football Playoff Foundation, Notre Dame Athletics, the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) at the University of Notre Dame, and School Specialty. The CFP Foundation and School Specialty each contributed $25,000 toward the transformation, with an additional $5,000 from the CFP Foundation and $1,000 from School Specialty to support books and educational materials. This marks the first Catholic school and the first school in South Bend to benefit from a remodeling project through this partnership. 

The redesigned media center creates a welcoming, student-centered learning space that supports reading, collaboration, and academic growth while fostering a culture of hope, belonging, and possibility.

“This space means a lot,” said Francisca Flores, Principal of Our Lady of Hungary Catholic School and a member of  Notre Dame’s Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program. “It means our students feel unique. They feel loved because someone is paying attention and listening to their dreams. Now this will be a place where our students and teachers come to believe we can do it, a place to dream, a place to have hope, and a place to build and grow as disciples for Christ.” 

John Staud, Executive Director of the Alliance for Catholic Education, emphasized the significance of partnership in bringing the project to life.

“Today we celebrate the amazing work that can happen when different groups come together,” said John Staud. “The College Football Playoff Foundation, School Specialty, Notre Dame Athletics, and ACE working alongside the leadership here at Our Lady of Hungary have created a space that will continue to be a source of life and hope for this community.”

The Extra Yard Makeover Project is a signature initiative of the CFP Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting K–12 education and educators across the country.

“We believe teachers are the secret ingredient not only to student achievement, but also to great communities,” said Britton Banowsky, Executive Director, CFP Foundation. “Partnerships like this allow us to bring resources together in a way that creates meaningful impact for schools and students.”

Notre Dame Athletics has partnered with the CFP Foundation for more than a decade to support educators and expand opportunities for students.

“For the past ten years, this partnership has helped us raise millions of dollars to support teachers and students,” said Missy Conboy, Senior Deputy Athletics Director, Notre Dame Athletics. “Today’s project brings that impact directly into the South Bend community and creates a space where students can dream, prepare, and grow.”

School Specialty, which has supported 116 learning space transformations nationwide, played a key role in designing and delivering the library.

“This is the best part of our work, seeing a space come to life for students and teachers,” said Amy Veugeler, Vice President, Learning Environments, School Specialty. “We are honored to help create an environment that students will use every day to learn, grow, and succeed.”

Serving students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Our Lady of Hungary Catholic School has been a cornerstone of the South Bend community for nearly a century and will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. The new library reflects a shared commitment among partners to strengthen Catholic education and invest in the dignity and potential of every child.

 

About the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE)

Founded in 1993 at the University of Notre Dame, the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) sustains, strengthens, and transforms Catholic schools through leadership formation, research, and service. Today, ACE serves more than 250,000 students annually across more than 300 Catholic schools in 37 dioceses nationwide. Through programs that form teachers and leaders, support schools, and advance research, ACE works to ensure that all children have access to an excellent Catholic education and the opportunity to grow and fulfill their God-given potential.

For more information about ACE and its initiatives, visit ace.nd.edu.