Norton prepares to accept duties, history-making role as Notre Dame's first female student body president
By JASON McFARLEY
Associate News Editor
A memory: It is a cold February night in the days prior to Notre Dame's 2001 student body presidential election.
In between leading Student Senate meetings, studying and running an ambitious campaign for student body president, Brooke Norton makes her way from her third-floor Walsh Hall room to the nearby Grotto. She lights a candle, and amid thoughtful prayer and reflection, the current student body vice president, considers the University's namesake — Notre Dame du Lac, translated "our lady of the lake."
"I was thinking about Mary as the patron of our school," she said. "I kept wondering if the time was right for a woman to take the top leadership role at Mary's university."
The answer came just days later — and some three decades after the University first admitted women — when Norton was elected Notre Dame's first female student body president.
Norton and running mate Brian Moscona emerged as the clear leader in a six-way primary race on Feb. 12, and on Friday the pair captured 56 percent of run-off election votes, defeating the Ryan Becker-Nikki McCord ticket.
Norton's victory makes her the first vice president to win the presidency since Dennis Etienne succeeded to the post of president in 1973.
And while her election signals the end of what Norton admits was an exhausting balancing act of juggling campaign responsibilities with current duties, it may also mark the beginning of challenges for her over mixed student expectations and personal reservations.
Student Reactions
Students are generally pleased with Norton's win and with the place it cements for her in Notre Dame history.
Dillon Hall senator Brendan Dowdall said Norton's position as vice president legitimized her as a presidential candidate.
"I thought she was the best qualified for the office. As vice president, I'm sure she gained a lot of experience in working with University administrators and other student government officials," said Dowdall, a senior.
He said Norton's gender did not play a role in his decision to vote for her, but other students said gender was a determining factor.
Sophomore Erin Harridge said electing a female student body president was an important step for the University.
"Before I voted, I considered the gender of the candidates," she said. "I thought voting for Brooke would move us in the right direction."
Harridge expressed some concerns, however, about Norton continuing the same programs and services as the current administration.
"Looking at her as vice president now and as president in the future, it seems like Brooke's presidency might only be a continuation of the current one," Harridge said.
Dowdall did not share her doubts.
Norton's own concerns
Harridge's worries are nothing Norton hasn't heard before.
"Many people may think that everything's going to stay the same, but there are going to be changes," she said.
Norton said she plans to keep current programs that have proven successful and implement innovative new ideas. She said the Office of the President only has one year to make significant changes, and she is at an advantage because she can continue working on present projects and add new ones.
"There's still a lot of things that we need to improve in student life. One thing I'd like to do is help students serve others and begin thinking with their hearts," she said.
But Norton also has some very personal concerns about taking office, among them that being the first female president will place increased pressure on her. According to Norton, her election puts her in a position in which she must be competent in order to prove to others that a woman can do the job as well as a man.
Norton said she also feels somewhat obligated to tackle such so-called women's issues as campus safety, gender relations and eating disorders.
"I think anyone should be paying close attention to those issues," she said. "Maybe as a woman I have more of an acute sense of these issues, but that doesn't make them any easier to solve."
Learning the ropes
When she arrived on campus almost three years ago, the now-20-year-old Norton did not envision herself becoming so deeply involved in student government.
The Glendora, Calif., native said her career began when she put up four campaign posters while campaigning for Walsh Hall freshman representative. Weeks later, Norton was elected class secretary.
The following year, when Norton was serving as sophomore class vice president, current student body president Brian O'Donoghue chose Norton to be his running mate in the 2000 election.
O'Donoghue said over the course of the past year, he has observed Norton's care, dedication and concern for the students she represents.
"This year has seen Brooke in leadership as much as me. She's exhibited an amazing devotion to the student body," said O'Donoghue, a senior.
Norton's new colleague, vice president-elect Brian Moscona, agreed.
As the current sophomore class president, Moscona said he has also been impressed with Norton's leadership skills.
"Brooke's great with people. I really believe in her," he said. "She has a lot of great ideas, and she's a phenomenal leader."
Ready to take office
According to Norton, people have asked about her intentions to run for president since she took over the vice presidency almost a year ago and long before she declared her candidacy this year.
Norton said she felt pressured to make a choice but waited until winter break in December to make a thoughtful decision. She said she wanted to resolve the matter while away from Notre Dame and surrounded by family and friends.
"[Being student body president] is a huge job, and I realized that going in. But in my heart, I think I knew that I wanted to try. If I didn't try, I'd never forgive myself," she said.
While Norton has more than 30 days before her term as vice president ends, she said she is balancing her current responsibilities with the duties of transitioning into the presidency.
"Things are easier now because a lot of my roles as vice president and president-elect are similar. The campaigning was certainly stressful on the mind and body," Norton said.
But it was well worth the effort, Norton said, crediting her victory to students who trust her abilities and experience and to a supportive body of family, friends and campaign workers.
"It's amazing to have the honor of being elected student body president of Notre Dame," she said. "To see the smiles on people's faces and to hear the words of congratulations because of the election … it's a good feeling."
All News Stories for Thursday, February 22, 2001
