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The residents of Cavanaugh did not always enjoy the prime location on campus that we do today. When Cavanaugh was built in 1936 it was the first dorm on North Quad. Ever wonder why we are the only dorm on North Quad with no door actually on the Quad? When Cavanaugh was built, it was assumed that it would be the end of campus, extending as far north and east as it would ever go. However, Zahm was built immediately following the completion of Cavanaugh, in 1937.
court yard1

Cavanaugh is named after the first of 2 Father Cavanaughs to be president of Notre Dame, Fr. John W. Cavanaugh. Fr. Cavanaugh was president from 1905 -1919. Under his leadership, Notre Dame took integral steps to making it the prestigious institution we know today. He worked to build a new library—which is now the School Architecture’s home—Bond Hall, instituted the Glee Club, and hired a football coach named Knute Rockne.

In 1994, the Crusaders of Cavanaugh became the Cavaliers. But more importantly, the men of Cavanaugh became the women of Cavanaugh. After 58 years as a male dorm, the University chose to convert it to a women’s dorm in response to a need for more female housing on campus. In the short seven years Cavanaugh has been a women’s dorm, the nickname was changed to the Chaos (much better!) and we have seen our first rectress, Sr. Pat Dearbaugh, arrive to guide Cavanaugh, and then leave giving Rectress Amy de la Torre a chance to leave her impact on hundreds of girls as well.

Chapel

Today, Cavanaugh welcomes a new batch of young women each year. Throughout the year we learn to live as a community—a community that has a large impact on campus. In 2000 and 2003, Cavanaugh was named Best Women’s Dorm on Campus. We hope that our community will continue to grow in such a positive way in the future. Go Chaos and Go Irish!

Cavanaugh Hall Interesting Historical Facts

  • Famous people to live in Cavanaugh:
    • ‘59 Michael J. Conlon – President of SUNY Binghamton
    • ’60 James Naughton – Editor of Philadelphia Inquirer
    • ’66 Tom Bettag – Executive Producer of Nightline
    • The backfield of 1973 National Championship football team: Crick Penick, Art Bert, Wayne Bullock, Al Samuel
    • ’88 Tim Brown
    • ’92 Craig Counsell
  • It is rumored that in 1963, Farley hall invaded Cavanaugh through a steam tunnel. Cavanaugh used fire hoses to repel.
  • Cavanaugh has a history of disliking its rectors. It has been noted that students in ’47 even lowered firecrackers on a fishing line to explode outside the rector’s window.
  • Cavanaugh is named after Rev. John Cavanaugh, CSC. He was president of the University from 1905-1919 and known as “Cavvy.”
  • During WWII, Cavanaugh Hall hosted naval officers in training.