Kathleen Farnan ‘26
Rising senior Kathleen Farnan, from Pittsburgh, PA, is pursuing majors in Theology and Philosophy, with a minor in Constitutional Studies. A faithful campus leader, she serves as a Resident Assistant in Lyons Hall, co-secretary of Special Olympics Notre Dame, a deNicola Center for Ethics and Culture Sorin Fellow, and an active member of Right to Life and Students for Child-Oriented Policy (SCOP). Kathleen is also a tenured Tocqueville Fellow with the center.
This summer, Kathleen interned remotely for the Napa Legal Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that supports religious nonprofits in navigating legal landscapes. Her work centered on preparations for the Nonprofit Summit, an annual conference run by Napa Legal to educate nonprofits on the complexities of the nonprofit legal sector. After developing materials, reaching out to organizations in the California area, and coordinating behind-the-scenes logistics, Kathleen was given the opportunity to watch her work come to life when she attended the Summit in July. She also contributed to a podcast interview with Professor Phillip Muñoz, and authored a blog post on Planned Parenthood v. Medina, deepening her understanding of religious liberty litigation. Through her mission-driven work, she has found renewed motivation to pursue a legal career, with a focus on litigating for organizations committed to truth.
Kathleen notes that her Constitutional Studies coursework provided a strong theoretical foundation, but her internship showed her how legal principles—such as judicial restraint and separation of powers—carry real-world implications for religious organizations and families. Planning to attend law school immediately after graduation, she sees this role as having sharpened her legal literacy, as well as her ability to engage with Supreme Court cases.
She credits the CCCG for connecting her with both this opportunity, and a network of faithful Catholic lawyers: “I’m very grateful for the center’s support—both in funding and in fostering relationships that will last well beyond this summer.”
Jerry Vielhauer ‘27
Rising junior Jerry Vielhauer hails from upstate New York, and studies Political Science with minors in Business Economics, Constitutional Studies, and Theology. A prominent leader on Notre Dame’s campus, he most notably serves as Student Body President. He also works as a RecSports manager and personal trainer, and teaches CPR and first aid. Jerry has enjoyed exploring constitutional law through the Constitutional Studies minor, and hopes to apply for the center’s Tocqueville Fellowship.
This summer, Jerry joined a cohort of sixty-four interns in Washington, D.C. with The Heritage Foundation’s Young Leaders Program. His responsibilities included helping his supervisor coordinate programming for the incoming fall intern class, sending weekly communications, managing event logistics, and onboarding new interns.
Drawn to D.C. both for professional exposure, and to explore how his Catholic conservative convictions intersect with public policy, Jerry values the chance to see the “private side” of policy promotion. He has gained hard skills like professional writing—whether concise email updates or polished constituent letters—but emphasizes the importance of soft skills, such as networking, communication, and servant leadership.
Jerry sees clear connections between his Heritage work and the Constitutional Studies program, noting that many discussions there focus on the Founders’ vision for governance. The experience, he says, has allowed him “to learn from diverse perspectives and better understand the role of principles in shaping public life.”
Aspiring to a career in law—particularly sports law—Jerry sees this summer as having honed his leadership skills for his role as Student Body President: “It’s about waking up each day and asking how I can be the best version of myself for the people I serve.”
Summer Abdelbarry ‘27
Rising 2L at Notre Dame Law School, Summer Abdelbarry is originally from New Jersey, and earned her undergraduate degree at Villanova University in Economics, Humanities, and Peace & Justice. She was drawn to Notre Dame Law School’s strong culture of character and community, reminiscent of her undergraduate experience. On campus, she is active in the Federalist Society, the Women’s Legal Forum, and the Middle Eastern Law Association.
This summer, Summer interned for Chief Judge Kelly Rankin of the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming in Cheyenne. Seeking both federal court experience, and the unique legal culture of the West, she reached out directly to judges. Judge Rankin’s chambers responded immediately.
Abdelbarry described her externship as rigorous and immersive, marked by extensive legal research and drafting judicial orders, as well as proofreading and observing the close-knit workings of a small federal district court. In addition, she assisted with clerks’ orders and observed plea hearings and sentencing trials, giving her a holistic view of the legal process. The experience sharpened her legal writing and research abilities, which she felt improved day by day.
Although the hours were long and the work demanding, she emphasized the value of learning quickly on the job: “While it was a ‘trial by fire,’ it really helped me become a better legal thinker and legal writer, and I’m truly grateful for that experience.” In addition, she assisted with clerks’ orders, and observed plea hearings and sentencing trials, giving her a holistic view of the legal process.
Summer’s interest in law is rooted in a deep respect for the Constitution and the opportunities it protects—values shaped by her immigrant parents. Looking ahead, she will spend next summer with Jones Day in New York City, and hopes to eventually return to Wyoming for a clerkship on the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Reflecting on her path, Summer credits her humanities background with equipping her to read critically and think deeply—skills that have proven invaluable in the legal field. Her advice to prospective law students is simple: “Stay confident in your choice. Law school is worth it, and you’ll look back and see how every experience shaped your ability to serve.”