John and Jill Coyle of Greenwich, Connecticut, have made a significant leadership gift to the University of Notre Dame for the construction of Coyle Hall. The new men’s residence hall on the south side of campus is a tribute to the family’s longstanding and generous philanthropy to Notre Dame.
Coyle Hall, currently under construction, will be built on the site of the former Fisher Hall, which closed at the end of the spring 2024 semester. The university expects to welcome the first residents of Coyle Hall in fall 2026.
“John and Jill are tremendous leaders for Notre Dame who have supported the university with their time, money and talent for many years. By enabling the construction of Coyle Hall and the creation of a residential community that will serve generations of students, they have taken another step toward ensuring that Notre Dame, consistent with its distinctive mission, continues to provide every student with an outstanding education that produces compassionate, capable leaders for our nation and the world,” said University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, CSC. “The Coyles are inspiring role models shaped by their own experiences at Notre Dame, and we could not be more grateful for their generosity, leadership and dedication to the university and its students.”
The Coyles have co-chaired the university’s Gift Planning Advancement Committee and are members of the Cavanaugh Council and the Badin Guild. John Coyle is a member of the University Board of Trustees and the Wall Street Leadership Oversight Committee, and Jill Coyle is a member of the Advisory Council for Undergraduate Experience, For Good Cabinet, and a member of Notre Dame Hesburgh Women of Impact.
In addition to the lead gift to Coyle Hall, the family has made landmark gifts to the President’s Circle and numerous scholarship funds, including the endowment of the Coyle Mission Professorship to support the recruitment and hiring of Catholic intellectuals. Their support of the university also includes the Coyle Endowment for Excellence, the Coyle Excellence Fund for African American Scholars, and the Coyle Family Scholarship, which benefits socioeconomically disadvantaged or young students, as well as the Student Emergency Relief Fund.
Jill Coyle graduated from Notre Dame in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in electrical and computer engineering, and John Coyle graduated from Notre Dame in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics. He earned an MBA from Columbia Business School in 1994. The Coyles’ three children also chose Notre Dame to pursue higher education. Emmet graduated in 2019, Olivia in 2021, and George in 2023.
“As a family of Notre Dame graduates, the Coyles know firsthand the importance of a residential experience grounded in the holistic development and education of our students,” said Rev. Gerry Olinger, CSC, vice president for student affairs. “We are so grateful for their generosity and especially for their commitment to the communities on campus, which we believe is an essential part of a Notre Dame education.”
Outside of Notre Dame, Jill Coyle serves as the Board Chair of the American Red Cross of Greater New York and is a member of the Tiffany Circle National Council and the Chairman’s Council of the American Red Cross. She has also served on the boards of and been involved with the Breast Cancer Alliance, Horizons, the National Theater, and the Coyle Blood Donor Center.
John Coyle is a partner at Permira Advisors, a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and leads its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practice. Prior to joining Permira Advisors in 2008, he was Global Head of the Financial Sponsor Group at JP Morgan Securities for 20 years. He serves on the boards of Cambrex Corporation, Cielo, DiversiTech and Reformation.
“The University of Notre Dame has inspired and impacted our lives in countless ways, and we believe deeply in Notre Dame’s mission to be a powerful agent for good,” said John Coyle. “Jill, Emmet, Olivia, George and I feel blessed to be able to support future generations of families who will learn, live and thrive on campus.”
“I have always valued the sense of community and belonging that Notre Dame fosters. By supporting the construction of this new residence hall, we as a family are giving back to a place that has given us so much,” said Jill Coyle. “We are building on the best traditions of Fisher Hall and are very excited about the future of Coyle Hall.”
The new residence hall will reflect the Gothic campus architecture of other newly constructed residence halls. It will be 7,700 square feet and will provide 258 beds for students. Coyle Hall will offer a variety of room types, common and study spaces, kitchens, laundry rooms, a chapel, a gym, and a basement with storage.
