Saturday, December 17, 2022
Christian was an awesome cousin and a wonderful friend. It was such a gift to have him at Notre Dame when I arrived as an undergraduate. He was so generous with his time and knowledge and he helped me gain my footing. Even though I was at the beginning of my college career and he had just finished his doctorate, he never made me feel out of place or like I was wasting his time. His radical generosity and warmth for everyone - with a particular emphasis on animals - made a huge impression on me, and he is doubtless the reason I pursued a degree in philosophy. I'll never forget hanging out at the campus cafés listening to his stories of the pope or looking through his photos of stained glass windows in Rome. As I later followed in his footsteps and began my own doctorate, he again offered valuable advice, pointing out the potential pitfalls and indicating the narrow road to success. I am so grateful for his willingness to share his knowledge and experience, but I will miss him most of all for his rare and exemplary kindness.
Love, Nicole Karam (Harrison)