About Us
Friends of Notre Dame College is committed to restoring the heart and spirit of Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio. Founded in 1922 by the Sisters of Notre Dame, the College has shaped generations through service, scholarship, and community. We are working to reopen its doors and renew its mission of empowering students, especially those from under-resourced communities, to reach their potential and strengthen our shared future.
As we rebuild, we will honor the tradition that defined Notre Dame while expanding into innovative academic pathways that meet the needs of today’s world.
We believe small colleges matter. They are places where students are seen, supported, and given the opportunity to succeed. By revitalizing Notre Dame College, we seek to protect a community legacy, expand opportunity for future generations, and create a model for how mission-driven small colleges can survive and thrive.
The Team
Peter Corrigan (President Board of Trustees)
Peter J. Corrigan began his career in high tech after graduating from Wake Forest University with a bachelor’s degree in physics. He has worked at Victoreen, Picker International (Philips) and Ciba Corning in research, engineering, and management, while earning his MBA from CWRU and later from Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program (AMP168).
In 1992, Corrigan was hired by Prestolite Electric to help them emerge from a $265MM bankruptcy. He rose through various positions to become Chief Operating Officer, and later Board Director, and Senior Advisor to the Chairman of First Atlantic Capital Corporation, its parent corporation. During his tenure, Corrigan was heavily involved in securing major global OEM businesses and in developing aftermarket distribution networks in the USA, Brazil, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Hong Kong, Mexico, and Australia, traveling throughout the world and cultivating extensive business contacts in dozens of countries.
Beginning in 2001, Corrigan completed a company turnaround for Prestolite’s South American Operations, salvaging the division from bankruptcy and subsequently being promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Prestolite was sold in 2014, and he has since worked as a private consultant, advising various companies in transportation, medical equipment, construction, energy, military, and aircraft businesses. In 2016, he added teaching to his skillset, eventually landing at Notre Dame College where he was assistant professor of management and strategy and headed the school’s newly created Entrepreneurship program. He continues to teach adjunct business classes at Cuyahoga Community College and Lake Erie College in both undergraduate and post-graduate programs.
In Cleveland, Corrigan is a past Trustee and past Chairman of the Harvard Business School Alumni of Northeast Ohio and has served as a Board Advisor to Cleveland Central Catholic High School and to Benjamin Davis Aviation and Maritime Academy. He contributes his time to SCORE where he has advised more than 400 small start-up and scale-up companies, and he has also acted as a board director to other non-profits in the area. He is a resident of Rocky River, Ohio, where he holds an elected position on the Rocky River School Board.
Andrew “Bud” Burkle, Jr. (Trustee)
Andrew “Bud” Burkle, jr., worked at The Federal Reseve Bank of Cleveland for 38 years, and retired as a senior Vice President. He was responsible for the supervision of banks and all bank holding companies in the Fourth District. He also was responsible for Data Services, the Discount Window, and the Special, Investigations Unit. He received Public Sevice Awards from the U. S. Department of Justice and the Cleveland U. S. Attorney’s Office. He also received the Reseve Bank’s President’s Award for uncovering a major bank fraud that resulted in a failed bank closed by the State of Ohio.
After retiring from the Fed, Bud was appointed President and a director of Florida Bussiness Bank in Melbourne , Florida. He helped turn around a failing bank that was eventually sold to Seacoast Corporation.
Bud graduated from Bowling Green State University, where he was a starting pitcher on the baseball team. He later graduated from The Stonier Graduate School of Banking, at Rutgers University. Bud was a pitching Coach at Notre Dame College for 16 years.
Bud lives with his wife Edna in Chagrin Falls. They have three boys and two grand kids.
“For over 16 years at NDC, I have had the privilege of knowing and coaching some outstanding student/athletes who have graduated and gone on to a wide range of exciting employment careers. The closure of the school has eliminated educational opportunities for many future young and talented high school graduates, many of whom come from low income families. I am extremely motivated to help restart Notre Dame College with a successful long term outlook.”
Len Barker (Trustee)
You may know Len as the All Star Cleveland Indians Pitcher who threw the 10th perfect game in MLB history. He is a husband, father and businessman who planted roots here in Northeast Ohio after his 11 year major league career ended. He is also proud to have been the head baseball coach at Notre Dame College for 15 years. In his playing days he was known as big game pitcher; he brings that spirit to our team as a trustee in our effort to Bring Back NDC.
Justin Tisdale (Trustee)
Justin Tisdale is a proud graduate of Notre Dame College, earning his Bachelor of Arts in History with a specialization in 7th–12th Grade Integrated Social Studies and a minor in Political Science. During his time at Notre Dame from 2002 to 2005, he was a member of the men’s basketball team, later returned as an assistant coach, and spent several summers working in the Admissions Office. This experience deepened his commitment to higher education and community engagement.
Notre Dame College also played a special role in Mr. Tisdale’s personal life. It is where he met his wife, Erin, and where they later exchanged vows in the campus chapel.
Today, Mr. Tisdale serves as President of South Euclid City Council, representing the community where he was born and raised. With more than 17 years of experience as an educator and coach, he has dedicated his career to shaping young minds and strengthening the bonds between schools and neighborhoods. His leadership reflects Notre Dame College’s enduring values of service, integrity, and lifelong learning.
Mr. Tisdale brings to the Board a deep passion for education, civic engagement, and the preservation of institutions that build strong, connected communities.
Friends of Notre Dame College is committed to restoring the heart and spirit of Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio. Founded in 1922 by the Sisters of Notre Dame, the College has shaped generations through service, scholarship, and community. We are working to reopen in this location and renew its mission of empowering students, especially those from under-resourced communities, to reach their potential and strengthen our shared future.
As we rebuild, we will honor the tradition that defined Notre Dame, while expanding into innovative academic pathways that meet the needs of today’s world.
Restoring Tradition and Values
The future focus will be on Healthcare on Nursing, specialty degrees in healthcare and continuing education. International Business focused on business in a global economy and working as an incubator to global business. The Technology Institute focused on the needs for STEM education and feature corporate partnerships on the cutting edge of modern manufacturing and technology.
Future Focus
Students and faculty, in partnership with industry leaders, will conduct cutting edge research in the Healthcare Sciences, International Business and Technology. This research will directly benefit our region as well as provide a world class education to our students leading to successful careers.