At the University of Notre Dame, tradition and pride run as deep as the roots of its historic campus. In marking the monumental 100th Anniversary of the Universal Notre Dame (UND) Celebrations, the university wanted special branded merch to commemorate the occasion. The chosen lapel pins serve as a new, yet timeless symbol of enduring connection and shared legacy. This year, as the program reached over 10,000 individuals, these commemorative pins help further solidify a tangible link between alumni and their alma mater’s storied past, adding a special layer of significance to this centennial milestone.
Sarah Kriegshauser, Affinity Marketing Program Director at Notre Dame, speaks to the significance of these tokens: “In our Universal Notre Dame Celebrations, we’ve integrated the Notre Dame lapel pins to echo our theme, ‘Beyond the Blueprint of Our Timeless Campus.’ These pins serve as a physical tribute to our university’s time-honored traditions and history, as well as its environment and structures, symbolizing the profound educational journey that educates both mind and heart.”
This strategic use of Notre Dame lapel pins bolsters an already strong sense of alumni pride and community spirit. Serving as a tangible reminder of the alumni’s connection to Notre Dame’s traditions and history, these pins ensure that the spirit of Notre Dame is not merely remembered but actively celebrated and worn with pride. These elegant pins allow alumni to actively celebrate their connection to Notre Dame and carry a piece of its storied legacy with them.
Notre Dame’s approach to using lapel pins as part of their alumni engagement strategy showcases the power of branded merch in reinforcing identity and belonging. By weaving these symbols into their alumni relations efforts, Notre Dame has created lasting memories and tokens of shared experiences, proving that even the smallest items can have a significant impact in strengthening a sense of community and pride.
