Meet the baumer hall staff
T.J. Groden, C.S.C.
Bio: Like Pope Leo XIV, T.J. Groden, C.S.C., was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs. Unlike Pope Leo, he attended the University of Notre Dame as an undergraduate student and served as a Resident Assistant in Keenan Hall and on the leadership team for Camp Kesem Notre Dame. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in finance, T.J. joined the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE)and was sent to Sacramento, California, where he taught history and coached cross country at Cristo Rey High School. While in ACE, he discerned a call to religious life and, in 2019, entered formation with the Congregation of Holy Cross. T.J. recently completed his theology studies and will take his final vows and be ordained a Holy Cross priest in the 2025-26 academic year.
Hometown: Glenview, IL
Majors: Finance and Medieval Studies
Undergrad: University of Notre Dame
Graduate: University of Notre Dame (M.Ed., MDiv)
Rector aka “Admiral”
Dorrian Cohen
When I first arrived as a founding member of Baumer Hall in 2020, Baumer made up for a lack of pre-existing traditions with a seemingly endless supply of hall spirit and COVID-19. I could not be more elated to return to Baumer Hall as Assistant Rector. I'm a second-year Biology PhD student after graduating from Notre Dame in 2024 with a major in Biological Sciences and a supplemental major in Theology. I'm from about two hours north of New York City and love driving through the monotonous and endless woods of Pennsylvania to go from South Bend to New York. I enjoy board games, exercise, and stand-up comedy.
Year: Class of 2024 (undergrad), When I've finished (Graduate)
Hometown: Poughquag, New York
Undergrad Majors and Minors: Biological Sciences, Theology (supplemental); Glynn Family Honors Program
Graduate Program: Biology PhD
Undergrad: University of Notre Dame
Graduate: University of Notre Dame (current)
General Meeting Times: Lunches, dinners, and whenever I'm on duty.
Fun Fact: My hometown has a sign that says "Welcome to Poughquag; Established a Long, Long Time Ago." To my knowledge, it is not a Star Wars reference.
Favorite Memory In Baumer: Baumer Hall winning Hall of the Year in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Assistant Rector (3rd Floor)
JohnPaul Beckman
Hey yall! For starters, I go by either JP or JohnPaul and I do not have a preference so that is up to you! I am a 3L at the law school, originally from Georgia but I will be working in Texas after graduation! I have absolutely loved my time at ND and am so excited to be an Assistant Rector for the greatest men’s hall there is! I have a variety of interests, including basketball (literally always down to shoot hoops so please ask me to do so!), playing music (both jazz and folk/pop), jiu-jitsu (ask me to roll sometime!), good whiskey and cigars, and watching good movies. Always feel free to ask to meet and I will do my best to make something happen! Excited to learn from everyone in the dorm and help lead Baumer this year!
Year: 2026 (Graduate)
Hometown: Alpharetta, Georgia
Graduate Program: J.D. Program (Law degree)
General Meeting Times: Anytime when I am on duty and most meals!
Fun Fact: I am an ex-gymnast
Favorite Memory in Baumer: I am new to Baumer so I don’t have one yet!
Assistant Rector (2nd Floor)
Meet the Baumer Hall Resident Assistants
Gage Whitton
1st Floor RA
Hey everyone! My name is Gage Whitton, and I will be the RA on the first floor this year. This will be my second year on the first floor, and I can honestly say, from living on other floors, that it is the best section. I transferred into Notre Dame as a Sophomore through the Gateway Program. I am studying Strategic Management and Political Science with a minor in Real Estate, and I plan to attend law school after graduation. I am originally from San Diego, California, also known as America's Finest City (and best!). In my free time on campus, I am a member of the Pre-Law Student Board, the Moreau First-Year Peer Leadership Program, and the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good, and I work as a teaching assistant. I also follow sports and other current events closely, so I'm happy to discuss anything happening in the world. I am extremely excited to learn about what you are passionate about and what brings you happiness. Let's make 2025-26 the best voyage Baumer Hall has taken yet. Go Bucs!
Year: Class of 2026
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Majors: Strategic Management and Political Science
Minor: Real Estate
General Meeting Times: Friday Mornings
Fun Fact: I am a dual citizen. I got Italian citizenship when I was in high school.
Favorite Memory in Baumer: My favorite Baumer memory is each spring break with Ron and the crew.
Laith Bokhari
2A RA
My name is Laith Bokhari and I’m a rising Senior at Notre Dame. I’ve lived in Baumer Hall for 3 years, and I couldn’t more ecstatic to be an RA this year. I love helping others, and Baumer holds a special place in my heart that few other places on earth do. I’m committed to serving the people in this dorm to the best of my ability. I can’t wait for you to come to campus this Fall, and please reach out to me if you have any questions. My phone number is 847-510-3832 and my email is lbokhari@nd.edu. Let’s have a year! Go Bucs!
Year: Class of 2026
Hometown: Wilmette, IL
Major: Political Science
Minors: Business Economics and Entrepreneurship
General Meeting Times: Saturday and Sunday anytime. Monday-Friday 8PM or later.
Fun Fact: I’m a student manager for the Men’s Basketball team. I also lived in Baumer for 3 years.
Favorite Memory in Baumer: Orientation week at Baumer was the best ever!
Mike Mora
Hey everyone! My name is Mike Mora, and I will be the RA in 2B this upcoming school year. I'm a senior from New Jersey in the Program of Liberal Studies with a Foundations of Business Minor. After graduation, I intend on pursuing pastoral ministry and plan on attending seminary for my mDiv. On campus, I am the President of the Collegiate Gospel Group, an evangelical Protestant Bible study. I also spend much of my time working for Break'n Bad, a sports cards company run by ND students. In my free time you can find me reading a book, messing around on the guitar, working out in the gym, or playing spikeball on the quad with friends. I also spend much of my time serving at my local church. I'm excited to pour into the Baumer community this upcoming school year and am eager to point you all towards Christ. I look forward to getting to know you all soon -- God bless.
Year: Class of 2026
Hometown: Budd Lake, NJ
Major: Program of Liberal Studies
Minor: Foundations of Business
General Meeting Times: Mealtimes and whenever my door is open!
Fun Fact: My name is Mike, I'm from Jersey, and back at home in Jersey I used to work at Jersey Mike's!
Favorite Memory in Baumer: Baumer Retreat
2B RA
Conall Burke
Hi, I’m Conall Burke, and I’m looking forward to being your RA for section 3A this fall. I’m majoring in Anthropology and Spanish with a minor in Business Economics. I currently live in O’Fallon, Illinois, just outside St. Louis, but I spent my childhood in Madison, Kathmandu, and Tbilisi.
Being part of Baumer means a lot to me, and I’m glad for the chance to contribute to this residence hall. Having a supportive community makes a real difference, and I hope to be someone you can count on if you need help, want to talk, or just need someone to listen.
Outside of class, I enjoy traveling, spending time outdoors biking or fishing, going to the gym, and listening to music. Whether you're figuring things out for the first time or you’ve been here a while, I’m always happy to talk.
I’m looking forward to meeting all of you and welcoming you to the wonderful community that is Baumer Hall. See you soon!
Year: Class of 2026
Hometown: O’Fallon, Illinois
Majors: Anthropology and Spanish (supplemental)
Minor: Business Economics
General Meeting Times: Dinners, On-Duty times, Monday and Wednesday afternoons
Fun Fact: I am advanced scuba certified.
Favorite Baumer Tradition: My favorite Baumer tradition is ‘Baumer Boo’, a fundraising event we hold every year around Halloween. We set up a haunted house in Baumer for the Notre Dame community to raise money for charity and it was a great time with my friends to scare people. The event is always a highlight of the year and a great way to connect with the Baumer community. I hope you all participate!
3A RA
Andrew Domsalla
Hey all! My name is Andrew Domsalla, and I’m super excited to be the RA for 3B this year. I’ve lived in 3B for the last three years, and I can’t wait to keep building community in this section. Growing up I was in a military family, so I was constantly moving around. I spent some time in North Carolina, South Korea, Texas, California, Florida, Virginia, Alabama, and currently Missouri. I’m a Computer Engineering major, and some extracurriculars I’m a part of include semiconductor workflow research, tutoring at the Robinson Center on Eddy Street, and working as a teaching assistant. I love watching movies and sports, and my door will always be open whenever I’m doing one of those. I’m looking forward to another great year in Baumer and helping out in any way I can.
Year: Class of 2026
Hometown: Currently St Louis, Missouri
Major: Computer Engineering
General Meeting Times: Wednesday and Friday afternoons, Dinners at Baumer Table in South Dining Hall
Fun Fact: I studied abroad in London after my freshman year
Favorite Baumer Tradition: Either Baumer Buzz or the Baumer Retreat
3B RA
Manny Uzobuife
Hello! My name is Manny Uzobuife, and I’m excited to be the RA for the 4th floor this year! I was born in Nigeria and came to America at 3 years old, and grew up in the Bronx (Go Yankees!). After making my way to ND, I involved myself with all sorts of communities, and I cannot wait to facilitate community with all of Baumer next year. I am studying Science-Business (last graduating class with that major!), and I hope to start medical school some time after I graduate. In my free time on campus, I go to the gym, sing with the Glee Club, and hang out with friends, but I have also served as a teaching assistant, volunteered at numerous locations, and worked at RecSports. I can't wait to meet all of you and see the sort of community we can build together! Go Bucs!
Year: Class of 2026
Hometown: Bronx, New York
Major: Science-Business
Minors: Science and Patient Advocacy, Chemistry, and Musical Theatre
General Meeting Times: Sundays after mass!
Fun Fact: I went to two very different high schools in two different states!
Favorite Memory in Baumer: Bay Week
4th Floor RA