University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame is a leading Catholic institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana, immediately northeast of South Bend, Indiana, United States. "Notre Dame," meaning "Our Lady" in French,[4] refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Notre Dame's picturesque campus sits on 1,250 acres (5 km²) containing two lakes and 136 buildings.

The school was founded on November 26, 1842, by 28-year-old Rev. Edward Sorin, CSC, and six Holy Cross Brothers who were members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, founded in Le Mans, France, in 1837. Recent historical study has shown that the Potawatomi Indians, partly because of the strong faith of Leopold Pokagon, also played an integral role in the founding of Notre Dame both before and during Sorin's presence in Northern Indiana.

The University's Catholic character is physically manifest throughout the Notre Dame campus. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is centrally located on campus. A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands atop the Main Building's dome, there are chapels in every residence hall, and crucifixes in most classrooms on campus. 82% of the student body self-identifies as Catholic.

The Indiana General Assembly granted the school its charter on January 15, 1844, under the name University of Notre Dame du Lac. While the translation of the French is "Our Lady of the Lake," the university actually has two lakes on its campus. According to legend, when Father Sorin arrived to found the school, it was November and everything was frozen. He thought there was only one lake and named the university accordingly.