By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer The University of Notre Dame, still caught up in the enormous backlash over its invitation to Barack Obama to speak at this year’s commencement, is once again under fire for appointing a new law school dean who donated to pro-abortion presidential candidates such as President Barack Obama and Sen. John Kerry. Notre Dame officials announced on April 1 that Nell Jessup Newton, most recently chancellor and dean of the Hastings College of the Law at the University of California, has been appointed as the new law school dean. In a report by LifeSite.com, a web site devoted to identifying donors to political candidates, Fundrace 2008, indicates that Newton gave Obama's presidential campaign $2,300 during the first quarter of 2007. She also gave $500 to pro-abortion Catholic presidential candidate John Kerry during the first quarter of 2004 in his race against pro-life President George W. Bush. The campaign finance web site also lists Newton as giving $1,000 in 2008 to Congressional candidate Jackie Speier, who was endorsed by Emily's List, a pro-abortion group that only backs candidates who support partial-birth abortion and the use of taxpayer funds for abortions. Fr. Jenkins made no mention of her donations to candidates who hold positions contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church in his glowing announcement.   “In Nell Newton, Notre Dame has gained a superb scholar, a proven academic leader, and a person deeply committed to the University’s mission,” Father Jenkins said. “She will help us continue and deepen education and research in our law school, and I am delighted to welcome her to Notre Dame.” Notre Dame’s provost, Thomas Burish, called Newton "an experienced, effective and admired leader" who supposedly has an "appreciation of the special mission of Notre Dame" and will "build on the Law School’s strong foundation to help it achieve even greater excellence.” Burish did not say whether he thought Newton had an appreciation for the Catholic Church's pro-life views or would instill such views in the future attorneys attending the law school. Newton’s appointment is effective July 1. To contact Fr. John Jenkins, President of Notre Dame, at 574-631-5000, fax 574-631-2770, email president@nd.edu, or mail to 317 Main Building, Notre Dame, IN 46556. You can call Notre Dame at (574) 631-5000 or use the email form at http://president.nd.edu/contact-us Complaints may also be submitted to the law school at: University of Notre Dame Law School, P.O. Box 780 Notre Dame, IN 46556, call 574.631.6627, fax 574.631.3980 and email ndlaw@nd.edu. © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly/Women of Grace. http://www.womenofgrace.com