Honoring our Veterans: Reflecting on God, Country, Notre Dame
Notre Dame Law School extends heartfelt gratitude to our faculty, staff, and students who have dedicated themselves in service to our country. In honor of Veterans Day, we are honored to showcase profiles of a few of these remarkable individuals. Each was invited to share their reflections on what "God, Country, Notre Dame" means to them.
Samantha Downey, 3L
Hometown: Marysville, California
Undergraduate Studies: University of Wisconsin–Green Bay
Samantha Downey joined the U.S. Army in December 2008 as a 68W Combat Medic and, in July 2009, left for basic training after graduating from high school. During the two years she lived in South Korea, she was the honor graduate of the Expert Field Medic Badge competition that was held in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North Korea and South Korea. Downey also served as a flight medic at Camp Humphreys, South Korea. In 2013, she deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and left the military in 2016 to complete her undergraduate degree and pursue law school. Samantha has accepted a position as an associate at Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry in Green Bay, Wisconsin after graduation.
What does “God, Country, Notre Dame” mean to you?
“It signifies the deep-seated commitment of all those who are part of Notre Dame, administration, faculty, students, and alumni alike, to being part of something greater than our individual selves in our pursuit to be a force of good.”
Brandon Santiago, 1L
Hometown: Huntington, New York
Undergraduate Studies: CUNY Baruch College
Brandon Santiago enlisted in the active duty U. S. Coast Guard in May 2019 and became a Commissioned Officer in April 2020. While serving, he deployed to Eastern Pacific, Caribbean, and Mediterranean countries, including Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Malta, Italy, Spain, and Morocco. Santiago hopes to obtain a federal clerkship upon graduation and practice in corporate litigation to assist veterans with disability claims, discharge upgrades, homelessness, and other veteran-related social causes.
What does “God, Country, Notre Dame” mean to you?
“God, Country, Notre Dame to me, means that these three things are of great importance. However, I would also add family to make it God, Family, Country, Notre Dame. Raised as a cradle Catholic, my faith is of vital importance to my life, as is my family. Having served my country, I consider the United States the greatest country on Earth. I was and still am willing to die for this country and my love for it has no bounds. I am so grateful to study at Our Lady's Law School. Being a law student at Our Lady's Law School has made me seriously buy into the "Different Kind of Lawyer" viewpoint. I strongly desire to do good in the world with the knowledge and experience God has so graciously given me. I hope to carry on God's will and fulfill the plan he has for me.”
Suzanne Dunne
Senior Director of Finance and Administration
Suzanne Dunne enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school and started as an Aviation Structural Mechanic - Safety Equipment (AME) working on Navy jet ejection seats. She attended the University of Washington on a four-year ROTC scholarship. After graduation, Dunne returned to the service as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) and was assigned to several ships based out of Norfolk, Virginia. Her ten years of active duty included two deployments to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf.
What does “God, Country, Notre Dame” mean to you?
“Faith, Service, and Family. At Notre Dame, we are centered around our Catholic faith, which calls us to serve others. Military service to our great nation is an extension of that faith and service and, like Notre Dame, the people you work with become more than colleagues or friends; they are family. When I travel, I never feel alone because there is always a Catholic church, or a Notre Dame alumnus, or a fellow veteran to welcome me like family.”
Parker Felterman, 1L
Hometown: Patterson, Louisiana
Undergraduate Studies: Carnegie Mellon University
Parker Felterman enlisted as a Human Resources Specialist in the U. S. Army Reserve in 2019. In September 2022, he became a Commissioned Intelligence Officer. After graduation, Felterman hopes to explore clerkship opportunities.
What does “God, Country, Notre Dame” mean to you?
“We are all called to some form of service. There is no higher calling than serving God and country, and Notre Dame fosters the compassion and patriotism that each requires.”
Timothy Davis, 1L
Hometown: Watertown, Wisconsin
Undergraduate Studies: Maranatha Baptist University
Timothy Davis currently serves as a U. S. Air Force paralegal at the 128th Air Refueling Wing in the Wisconsin Air National Guard. After graduation, he hopes to obtain a clerkship, and to become a Judge Advocate General in a reserve component.
What does “God, Country, Notre Dame” mean to you?
“To me, "God, Country, Notre Dame" means that my life's purpose is rooted in something much greater than myself; it's a higher calling that lifts my eyes off of life's perplexities and focuses them on others. Love for my nation and gratefulness to my Savior compel me to serve with everything I have, and these commitments are strengthened through the community at Notre Dame Law School.”
Will White, 3L
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Undergraduate Studies: United States Military Academy
Will White was commissioned as a U.S. Army infantry officer in 2017 and is still on active duty. He was stationed at Fort Liberty, North Carolina with the 82nd Airborne Division and, from 2019 to 2020, deployed to Afghanistan. After obtaining his law degree, Will plans to serve as a U.S. Army Judge Advocate.
What does “God, Country, Notre Dame” mean to you?
“To me, ‘God, Country, Notre Dame’ means being part of a community that proudly prioritizes spiritual wellbeing and service to others.”
"God, Country, Notre Dame" is the phrase over the East Door of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, a World War I Memorial, and a symbol of the University's long, close history with military service.