Leaders Of Dunne
Fr. Eric Schimmel, C.S.C., is a Holy Cross priest and the youngest of four children from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He first encountered the Congregation of Holy Cross while studying at the University of Notre Dame where he earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and theology. Immediately following graduation, he entered Moreau Seminary and eventually lived and worked in East Africa before finishing his master of divinity degree at Notre Dame. He professed perpetual vows in 2001 and was ordained a priest in 2002. Fr. Eric served in parishes in Colorado Springs, Colorado; South Bend, Indiana; Phoenix, Arizona; and Easton, Massachusetts. He spent several years as the Director of Andre House, a ministry serving the poor and homeless in downtown Phoenix, in addition to three years in ministry at King’s College in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, working both in the Hispanic Outreach office and Campus Ministry.
Throughout his varied ministry experiences, Fr. Eric has enjoyed helping young people discover their talents and develop them, especially to help others. He feels blessed to be the rector of Dunne, the best hall on campus. In his spare time, Fr. Eric has been known to hike, swim, and show his minimal skills on the basketball court.
Karen Deak, PhD, is the Academic Advancement Director for the Office of Research and the Notre Dame Idea Center. She received her PhD in Genetics from the University of Chicago in 2008, and a BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2000. She has previous taught Patent Law at Notre Dame. Prior to coming to Notre Dame, Karen worked in the St. Louis office of an AmLaw 100 law firm, helping clients patent their inventions. Karen enjoys anything outdoors, especially paddle boarding; and more broadly, standing on wobbly things. She also runs half marathons and leads Dunne Hall in training regularly for the Holy Half Marathon each April.
John Deak, PhD, is an Associate Professor of History. He received his PhD in History in 2009 from the University of Chicago, and a BA in History in 1998 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He teaches Modern European History at Notre Dame and his research focuses on the History of the Habsburg Empire (Austria-Hungary) before the First World War. He is currently writing a book (his second) on the collapse of the Habsburg Empire in the First World War. He speaks German and he maintains an interest in learning other continental European languages. Currently, he is struggling with Italian. He plays Xbox when Karen isn't watching. He will happily squad up with you on Battlefield
Fr. Kevin loves the outdoors, sports, farming, literature, and the occasional opportunity to do some woodworking. On account of these loves and his upbringing, he confesses—and Dunne Sentinels attest—he is probably the worst video game player in the world. Fr. Kevin was born and raised on a family farm and ranch outside of Hobson, Montana and was ordained a Holy Cross priest in 2010. He completed his PhD in Philosophical Theology at the University of Cambridge, England. He specializes on memory, how we know God, and the difference that Christ and the sacraments make unto that end. He is an assistant professor in the theology department at Notre Dame, so you can enroll in one of his classes for foundations of theology starting in your first year. Upperclassmen occasionally find their way into his sacraments class. Fr. Kevin hosts Sentinels after every Tuesday evening Mass for food and conversation.
Ziggi is a black and silver mini Schnauzer. She’s hypoallergenic, and (as you can tell from her profile pic) loves to break social-distancing rules! Ziggi is full-grown at about 14 pounds. She loves to play fetch with tennis balls, disposable water bottles, and anything with a squeaker in it. She loves living in Dunne Hall and the 200 best friends she has here! She really does get to know her Sents, and if she sees (smells?) you out and about on campus she will definitely want to come say hello. Ziggi is a big sweetheart but also can be a little timid in the hallways of Dunne (you can be so big and scary sometimes!). We are trying to help her work through this fear. So if you see her cowering as you’re coming towards her, the best way to warm her up is to stop where you are, squat down like a baseball catcher, and talk sweetly to her. She’ll come to you, slowly -- just be patient. Ziggi was featured in a ND Magazine article during the COVID year; you can read more about her and some of the other campus pets here. Feel free to follow her on Instagram as well @ziggi.schnauzer!
