The Gerard and Viola Herkes Endowed Library Collection was established in 1999 by the late “Jerry” and his wife, “Vi.” A 1944 graduate of Loyola University of Chicago, Jerry earned his MBA from the University of Chicago in 1967 and eventually retired as executive vice president of Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers, Inc. At Notre Dame, Vi is a member of the Badin Guild. Jerry and Vi are the parents of four children: Mary, Bill ('76, '79 M.S.), Terry ('77), and Paul ('87).

The Herkes Collection will allow flexibility in the Hesburgh Libraries. General funds such as this are applied to the areas of greatest demand at times when unique or unanticipated circumstances arise and create a need for immediate resources with which to address them. As such, the Herkes Fund will continue to support the acquisition of special resources and assist in the libraries’ programmatic and service initiatives as they evolve to reflect developing University programs for teaching and research.