22 saint francis magazine | spring 2024 Whether “Live On Air” or in life off air, Nicole (Rahr) Hahn (BA ’94) has always adhered to one modus operandi—fully focused and committed. Hahn spent 21 years at WPTA 21Alive, a “21 at 21” symmetry at the Fort Wayne television station where she worked as a news producer and forged a fount of fond memories. One of those memories remains especially vivid in her mind. In February 2013, Hahn arranged to air Bishop John D’Arcy’s funeral live on 21Alive, an unprecedented move by a secular television station. She loves breaking news and cherishes her Catholic faith, and that day captured both. “That was pretty special,” she said. “Being invited to Bishop D’Arcy’s home in Boston with (anchor) Melissa Long and chief photographer Brian Gillett was another great memory.” Today, Hahn serves as director of the secretariat for communications at the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Her boss is Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, and the drive that kept her going in the news business continues to sustain her as she handles communications at the Diocese, including its publication, Today’s Catholic. “I worked in news for 24 years, in a place with no windows and no view of the outside,” Hahn said, looking out her current window-filled office. “I tell people this is God’s reward to me—a seventh-floor corner office with a view of downtown Fort Wayne. The Bishop is fantastic. Father Mark Gurtner (Vicar General) is phenomenal. My background in media is very helpful.” Hahn’s mother, MaryLou, came to the United States from the Netherlands as a teenager. She and her husband, Dale, lived in Pennsylvania and upstate New York before Dale was transferred to Huntington, Indiana. Hahn attended St. Mary School and Huntington North High School. High school was a challenging time as she navigated public school and dealt with the death of her father in a semi-truck accident. “As the oldest of three, I became more of a parent than a sibling,” Hahn said. “Since my mom was from another country, my dad always took care of things. I had to grow up quick.” After high school, she worked overnight in a grocery for a year to save money and then enrolled at Saint Francis College to study communications. “I just loved it,” Hahn said. “Even now, just walking on the campus makes me feel so happy. You could live out your faith every day, which was fantastic.” Hired by 21Alive as an assistant producer while a senior, she became a full-time producer after graduation. “I liked the responsibility of being in charge and running the show. Breaking news was my favorite, making split-second decisions. You’re going on the air at 6 o’clock, ready or not.” After two decades-plus with 21Alive, Hahn accepted a Toledo, Ohio, news director position, returning home on weekends to husband Jim and children Cota and Tess for three years. “That got to be too much, and I had some health issues to deal with. After I took time off, I decided TV wasn’t what I wanted to go back to.” Hahn worked at IPFW (now Purdue Fort Wayne) in communications and then moved to Pathfinder Services. When the Diocese position opened, several friends told her she’d be a perfect fit. Hahn is approaching three years and feels at home. She recently became a board member at A Mother’s Hope, which provides shelter for pregnant homeless mothers. A trip to World Youth Day in Portugal last summer cemented Hahn’s feelings about being called to the right place at the right time. “One of the greatest moments was when Pope Francis rode through Edward VII Park in Lisbon so that we could all get a close look at him,” she said. “I ugly cried because I was overwhelmed with happiness, and I could feel my mom (who died in 2021) and her parents—my Oma and Opa, which is Dutch for Grandma and Grandpa—with me because their faith was so strong. “I was also grateful to God as I thought about how I never would have imagined that the little girl who stood in the government cheese line with her mom, and who—despite her parents working so hard—was sometimes unsure if there would be enough food on the table, was now standing in Portugal watching the Pope go by and hearing him speak.” After nearly 25 years in the television news business, Nicole (Rahr) Hahn embarked on a communications career path where she shares and celebrates Catholic faith and values each day. Photography by Jeffrey Crane (BA ’97)
