Coming Home and Giving Back
David Erba ’71
Like many of us, after graduating from Notre Dame in 1971, David Erba headed out of Connecticut to begin his college career. Also, like many of us, his chosen college major did not become the foundation of his life’s work. David graduated from the Notre Dame University in 1975 with a degree in Biology. His career path was entirely different from what he imagined at the age of 18.
“Coming from a family that included a few doctors, I believed that medicine was my calling. Fortunately, I had a back-up. In the 1970s, Notre Dame University offered a minor concentration to complement one’s major. I was interested in business, and I began to take business courses.” Upon graduation, David went to work for IBM for four years and then for Wang Laboratories for a few more years. Putting the corporate world behind him, he set out on his own as a bookkeeper and financial consultant in the food service industry. His consultancy with independent restaurants took off and became a very successful business venture.
Retirement in 2015 found David back in Connecticut which afforded him the opportunity to reconnect with his Alma Mater. He was a presenter at Career Day 2017, and he looks forward to other opportunities to connect with Notre Dame and Notre Dame students. David was one of the first alumni to respond to Notre Dame’s 70th Anniversary Initiative Bequest in fall 2016. His legacy gift will establish a named scholarship.
“Having seen so many financial cuts in public education in recent years, I became more convinced of the value of a private education like the education I received at Notre Dame High School. I planned my bequest to Notre Dame to fund a named scholarship; I want to assist academically qualified students whose families are in need of financial assistance. Notre Dame prepared me well. I want to be a part of Notre Dame’s continued commitment to preparing young men with character to lead, compassion to serve, and confidence to excel.”
