Tower Talk February/March 2013

Join us for the Inauguration of Notre Dame’s Twelfth President Back to Top

The NDMU community will celebrate the inauguration of our twelfth president, Dr. James Conneely, with a week of special events and activities beginning on April 3. The highlight of the festivities will be the installation ceremony and luncheon on Friday, April 5, followed that evening by the Inaugural Ball.

All Notre Dame alums are invited to be part of the celebration. Please register for all events. We hope you will be able to join us!

NDMU Teams up with United Way to Support Children in Head Start Baltimore City Back to Top

As part of the presidential inauguration festivities, on April 7 the Notre Dame community will partner with United Way of Central Maryland for the Day of Service. NDMU faculty, staff, students and alums will assemble over 3600 summer reading tote bags for children who participate in Head Start Baltimore City.

Head Start prepares children to enter preschool. Their programming is provided nine months of the year, and children who don’t continue reading during summer break often show learning loss when the school year begins. But we can help stem learning loss: Notre Dame’s goal is to provide each of the 3,600 children who take part in Head Start Baltimore City with three books to read over the summer.

The Day of Service will take place on April 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the MBK Gym on campus. Please visit the website to volunteer for this event. We're also seeking donations of new copies of three classic children's books:

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
• My Colors/Mis Colores by Rebecca Emberly

Drop off books at Noyes House by April 5, or click here to purchase them from the Barnes & Noble website and have them shipped directly to:

Notre Dame of Maryland University
c/o Melissa Lees
4701 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21210

For more information on the Day of Service, please visit our website. If you have any questions, please contact the office of alumnae and alumni relations at ndmalum@ndm.edu or 410-532-5201.

The Class of 2013 Celebrates 100 Nights, and Lantern Chain Returns Back to Top

On February 21, Women’s College seniors celebrated the time-honored tradition of 100 Nights. Faculty, staff and alums gathered for the annual cocktail reception in Noyes House to wish the students well as they began the countdown to graduation.

Dr. Conneely opened the cocktail hour with a warm welcome and best wishes for the seniors’ continued success. Michelle Campbell ’01 then congratulated her soon-to-be fellow alums on their achievements — and reminded them to return for their first Reunion in September.

When the cocktail hour ended, the longtime Notre Dame tradition of Lantern Chain was reignited — with a new twist. Underclassmen holding sparklers lined the walkway from Noyes House to Doyle Hall, lighting the path for the seniors as they made their way to the beautifully decorated Doyle Formal for dinner.

To see photos and videos from this lovely evening, please visit our Facebook page.

Class of 1959 Memorial Mass and Luncheon Back to Top

On Thursday, February 28, nine members of the class of 1959 returned to campus for a special memorial Mass to remember their classmates and family members who have passed away. After Mass, they joined Dr. Conneely and other members of the Notre Dame community for a luncheon in Noyes House. The event was hosted by Diane Roberts McGlinchey ’59 and Annette Duffy Heaps ’59.

Programs have been sent out to members of the class of 1959 who could not attend this special event; if you did not receive one, please contact Jessica Angell at 410-532-3166.

First Impressions Interview Workshop Back to Top

On March 7, students in the First Impressions program learned skills for successful interviewing. A panel of accomplished area professionals, led by Sallie Mullen ’68, shared tips and best practices for interviewing — from the first phone call to the group interview to the thank-you note.

To practice the skills they’ve learned, over the next month many of the First Impressions students will be participating in mock interviews with Notre Dame alums. If you’d like to volunteer to conduct an interview with a student and help her prepare to enter her chosen field, please contact the office of alumnae and alumni relations at ndmalum@ndm.edu or 410-532-5201.

CE Scholarship Fundraising Dinner, Featuring Acclaimed Author Alice McDermott Back to Top

Award-winning author Alice McDermott is the guest of honor at this year’s Scholarship Fundraising Dinner, hosted by the Continuing Education chapter of the Alumnae and Alumni Association. The author of such novels as Charming Billy and At Weddings and Wakes, Ms. McDermott is a winner of the National Book Award and a three-time nominee for the Pulitzer Prize – as well as a Maryland resident.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and dinner with Ms. McDermott, at a cost of $35 per person ($20 for SSNDs). At 7 p.m., she will give a lecture and sign books (several of her novels will be for sale onsite). The lecture/book signing is free to attend and open to the public. Registration is required for both portions of the evening; please register here.

Raffle tickets will be available for a variety of prizes, including the printing plate of the Baltimore Sun’s front page that announced the Ravens’ Super Bowl win.

All proceeds from the evening go to the Continuing Education Scholarship Fund, which benefits adult women pursuing higher education at Notre Dame.

Wednesday, April 10 
Reception and dinner at 5:30 p.m.; lecture and book signing at 7 p.m.
Doyle Formal

Power Hour Plus Networking Event, with Guest Speaker Joni Daniels Back to Top

The next event in the Power Hour Plus networking series features Joni Daniels, management consultant, trainer and author. She’ll conduct her signature Power Tools for Women workshop, in which participants will learn how to develop a tool kit of essential skills for achieving professional and personal success.

Please register here. The cost is $15 per person. A wine and cheese networking reception will precede the lecture.

Tuesday, April 16
5:30 p.m. 
Doyle Formal

Chef Cindy Wolf to Deliver Busta Lecture Back to Top

Noted Baltimore chef Cindy Wolf will be this year’s guest lecturer for the Charles J. Busta III Lecture in Business. The executive chef of Charleston restaurant, Chef Wolf is a partner in the Foreman Wolf Group, which operates five of Baltimore’s top restaurants, and is also a two-time finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s award for Best Chef in the mid-Atlantic. She will share business and life lessons from the culinary world.

This event is free and open to the public. Please register here. 

Tuesday, April 23
6 p.m. Networking and reception, Doyle Formal
7 p.m. lecture, Knott Auditorium

Save the Date: Career Transitions workshop Back to Top

Are you considering a career change or planning to re-enter the workforce after some time away? Plan to attend our Career Transitions workshop, which will take place on Saturday, June 8 on campus. Look for more details in upcoming issues of Tower Talk.

Leave Behind More Than a Will — Leave Your Life Story Back to Top

Learn how to touch the lives of your loved ones in a deeply personal way with an ethical will. Join us for a Lunch & Learn live webinar conducted by Susan Turnbull, noted writer, author and speaker on ethical wills. For more information or to register, contact Linda Kuehn at 410-532-5351 or lkuehn@ndm.edu.

Thursday, April 11
12:15–1:30 p.m.
Feeley International Center

Notable Alums Back to Top

PJ Mitchell ’69 was one of nine notable Baltimoreans honored by the Baltimore Business Journal’s inaugural Outstanding Directors Award. PJ, the chair of Notre Dame’s board of trustees, was nominated by President Conneely for her commitment and dedication to NDMU. A black-tie celebration was held on March 7, with a special publication about the award winners appearing as an insert in the BBJ on March 8. 

On February 23, Anne McCloskey ’51 was honored at a special ceremony at Loyola University Maryland for her accomplishments in advancing women’s athletics. As an administrator and coach at Loyola, Anne developed the women’s athletics program and led several women's teams to championship seasons a few years after Title IX went into effect. 

Dr. Susan Love in the News Back to Top

Surgeon, breast cancer advocate and author Dr. Susan Love, who attended Notre Dame and worked with the university on the Love/Avon Army of Women project, is back in the news — this time as a patient. Dr. Love is battling leukemia, which is currently in remission. She recently spoke to the New York Times about how the illness has given her a new perspective on her work to combat breast cancer.

Countdown to Reunion 2013 – Class Representation Still Needed Back to Top

The Reunion Committee is busily planning events and activities for Reunion 2013, which will take place September 20–22. Alums in celebrating classes (years ending in 3 or 8) should have spotted the colorful Save the Date postcard in their mailboxes! If you didn’t receive one, please contact the office of alumnae and alumni relations at ndmalum@ndm.edu or 410-532-5201.

We don’t yet have Reunion Committee representatives from the classes of 1988 and 1993 — we want to be sure that all classes are part of the planning, so please let us know if you’d like to get involved. Reps are asked to share ideas for making the weekend special, to contact classmates to invite them to Reunion and to contribute to the class gift – and, of course, to attend Reunion! If you’d like to join the committee, please contact Marianne Amoss at MAmoss2@ndm.edu or 410-532-5542.

Notre Dame in Puerto Rico Back to Top

In February, Notre Dame headed south to visit NDMU graduates living in Puerto Rico. Anne Lin, Dean of the School of Pharmacy, Emilia Poiter, director of alumnae and alumni relations, and Mary Beth Lennon ’89 spent several days with our alumnae, who had a wonderful time reconnecting and sharing stories from their time at Notre Dame.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming travel events in future issues of Tower Talk — and be sure to let us know if you’re in any of the areas we’re visiting!

Dr. Conneely to Visit Atlanta Back to Top

As part of his Inauguration tour, President Conneely is visiting alums in different parts of the country. On March 27, Dr. Conneely will be traveling to Atlanta to participate in an alumnae and alumni gathering at the home of Sheila Haskell ’63.

If you live in the Atlanta area and would like to attend the gathering with Dr. Conneely and other alums, let us know! Please contact the office of alumnae and alumni relations at ndmalum@ndm.edu or 410-532-5201.

Nominate a Graduate for an Award Back to Top

Nominations are open for three prestigious alumnae and alumni awards presented at Reunion. If you would like to nominate an accomplished graduate for any of the three awards, please complete an online nomination form or email ndmalum@ndm.edu with the contact information of the nominee and a paragraph specifying for which award you are nominating her or him and why. The nomination period ends on May 15, 2013.

Elizabeth P. Hoisington '40 Distinguished Alumna Award
This award is presented to a graduate who, through achievements in career and/or community service, embodies the principles of Notre Dame of Maryland University. Eligible alumnae must have graduated no fewer than five years ago, hold achievements in career and/or community and have demonstrated loyalty to the University.

Service to Society Award
This award is presented to a graduate who best exemplifies the ideals of Notre Dame of Maryland by creating positive and effective social change in the community, nation or world. All graduates are eligible.

Regina Russo Hammel ’41 Outstanding Recent Graduate Award
This award is presented to a graduate who has exhibited outstanding professional achievement and/or contributions to community life in ten years or less since graduation. The recipient must also have demonstrated loyalty to the University.

Benefits for Alums Back to Top

Did you know that as a graduate of Notre Dame you’re automatically eligible for a number of benefits, such as discounts on entertainment and sporting events, access to our campus career center and health insurance? Visit our benefits page for more information on the programs and savings available to NDMU alums.

Stay Connected Back to Top

“Like” the Alumnae and Alumni Association on Facebook to stay connected with your classmates and learn about events taking place at the university.

If you’re looking for a new job, join the Notre Dame alumni group on LinkedIn to connect with other NDMU alums who may already be employed in a field you are looking to enter.

Networking Committee Back to Top

The Networking Committee is wrapping up its first year with the third Power Hour Plus event, which will take place on April 16 and feature Joni Daniels; for more details, see the Power Hour Plus article in this issue of Tower Talk.

The Networking Committee is hard at work planning future professional development and just-for-fun events for Notre Dame alums. If you'd like to be involved, let us know! The next committee meeting is March 13 at 5:30 p.m. in Noyes House; wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. For more information or to let us know you’re coming, contact the office of alumnae and alumni relations at ndmalum@ndm.edu or 410-532-5201.

First Impressions Committee Back to Top

All alums are invited to be part of the First Impressions program and support Notre Dame juniors and seniors as they prepare to enter the working world.

There are various ways to support this program:

• help prepare and serve food at the annual Etiquette Dinner
• review resumes
• conduct mock interviews
• share internship opportunities at your place of work
• join the committee and help plan future events

If you are interested in joining this committee or working with students, please contact the alumnae and alumni relations office at ndmalum@ndm.edu or 410-532-5201.

Montrose Society – Chris O’Keefe Marsalek ’69, M’00 Back to Top

Why have you chosen to support NDMU with a legacy gift as a member of the Montrose Society?

“In the spring of my junior year in high school, my dad suffered a fatal heart attack. The impact on our small family was devastating. Suddenly, our lives changed in ways we never anticipated. The dream of a college education, let alone at a Catholic institution, became uncertain, until a visit to Notre Dame's campus. As my mother, tears in her eyes, shared our family situation with the Sister accompanying us, she dared to hope that I would continue my education there after graduation.I was offered a work-study position by the college and, by the end of the academic year, I was awarded outside scholarships which paid for my entire tuition the remaining years. Later, encouraged by my daughter who was then a student at Notre Dame, and energized by the school's commitment to empowering women, I pursued my master's degree. Now, as a financial advisor, l am privileged to share what I have learned.

“While it is not always easy to see what has influenced us in life, I know that at an early age I was taught an appreciation and love of learning by my mother. This, fostered by Notre Dame, has lead to a desire to be a continuous learner. I am presently studying to become a licensed Series 65 Investment Advisor and plan to sit for the exam next month.

“As members of the Montrose Society, my husband, Stephen, and I chose to make a legacy gift to the University's scholarship program as a way to continue the opportunity that was given to our family. We were blessed that our daughter, Christy Sommerville ’95, chose to attend Notre Dame as a Morrissy Scholar and was awarded a Presidential scholarship. My sister, Jean Clemens Meconi W’95, graduated from the Weekend College with a degree in marketing that has served her well in her field and as the former General Manager of Urbanite. Three women from the same family, three different areas of study, all benefitting from the dedication and vision of those who teach and lead at Notre Dame, now University!”

Click here to learn more about legacy giving.

Show Your Support for NDMU Back to Top

Did you know that your participation in The Notre Dame Fund is also a vote of confidence? A high giving percentage of alumnae and alumni is seen by potential funders as an endorsement, signaling that Notre Dame of Maryland University is a worthy financial investment. The higher our participation rate, the greater our ability to compete for grants and additional sources of funding. Alumnae and alumni participation also impacts our reputation and rankings in publications such as U.S. News & World Report.

Your unrestricted gift to The Notre Dame Fund will help close the gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating worthy students. Unrestricted gifts help the university address areas of greatest need, including academic and program support, staff development and campus improvements — to name a few. In this season of renewal, please consider committing your support to the mission of the School Sisters of Notre Dame with a gift to The Notre Dame Fund. Any amount comfortable to you will be a vote of confidence. 

School of Education 2013 Speaker Series: Black Language in White Public Space Back to Top

Join us as language, literacy and youth culture expert H. Samy Alim Ph.D. discusses the inextricable link between cultural identity and youth language — and its impact for education. Learn how teachers in diverse English-speaking communities can transcend communication barriers and engage their students for success. Admission is free; please register here.

Thursday, March 14
7 p.m.
LeClerc Auditorium

Notre Dame Awarded Key Grants Back to Top

Notre Dame of Maryland University has received several recent grants from public and private funders that will benefit students and faculty.

• With a $48,400 grant funded by the Lilly Endowment, a faculty team in the School of Arts and Science will redesign the first-year seminar to include a service learning component and reinforce vocation discernment aligned with choice of major and career aspirations. The grant was awarded to the university by the Council of Independent Colleges in the first round of program development grants from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education.
• Notre Dame was awarded a $60,000 grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s new Complete College Maryland program. This grant will allow the University to potentially bring back up to 300 full-time students who were in good academic standing but left just prior to graduation for financial or other personal reasons. This grant provides financial support to help these students complete the final credits needed for a diploma.
• Another grant ($40,000) from the Maryland Higher Education Commission will provide salary support for two Faculty Fellows (Dr. Erica Brinkley and Dr. Sabita Persaud) in the School of Nursing. Both fellowship recipients are new full-time, tenure-track nursing faculty members who were nominated by Dean Katie Cook.

Class of 2013 talent show and silent auction Back to Top

Mark your calendars for April 13 when the Class of 2013 will be hosting a talent show and silent auction in conjunction with the Presidential Inauguration. If you know of anyone that is interested in participating in the talent show, please feel free to email Janie Marsan at jmarsanndam1@live.ndm.edu.

The senior class is seeking donations to be auctioned off at this event. All of the proceeds go toward the class of 2013 fundraising for a Senior Week, which we hope will become a Notre Dame tradition along with the talent show and silent auction.

We appreciate any support from the NDMU community.

Arts for Hearts’ Sake — Ernest Ragogini Back to Top

Join the Notre Dame community for the Arts for Hearts’ Sake series, hosted by the School Sisters of Notre Dame at Villa Assumpta. All events are free, open to the public and presented on Sundays at 2 p.m. at Villa Assumpta, 6401 North Charles Street. On April 28, Ernest Ragogini, professor of music at Notre Dame, will be performing on the piano.

Admission is free. For additional information, please call 410-532-5386.

For the full 2012–2013 Arts for Hearts' Sake line-up, please visit the website.

In Memoriam Back to Top

Mary J. Corey ’85

Charlotte LaFleur Garnett ’62

S. Verna Vitrano Hall ’51

Mary Charlotte Miller Mueller ’44

In the News Back to Top

Dr. Conneely spoke with Baltimore Fishbowl about a few of his favorite things and also shared some life lessons.

Associate Professor Desiree Melton joined WEAA-FM radio host Marc Steiner to talk about Eurocentric perspectives on philosophy and efforts at diversification.

The election of a new pope by the gathering of the cardinals in Rome will give Catholics across the globe a chance to renew their bonds with the church, said Lyle Weiss, assistant professor of religious studies, in the Gazette of Politics and Business.

Associate Professor Mary Packard was featured in the Sun discussing the science of caring, an approach at the core of the School of Nursing's planned Center for Caring with Technology.

In the Baltimore Sun, Sharon Derr, Director of Operation TEACH (Teachers Enlisted to Advance Catholic Heritage), spoke about the program’s emphasis on service. Students in the program live together in a Christian communal setting while they work toward their Master’s degrees in education.