Bulletin: October 2021

October 2021

Alumnae & Alumni Reconnect During Reunion Weekend

Five women pose in front of NDMU backdrop

The NDMU community welcomed about 150 alumni, alumnae, and friends to the campus last weekend for Reunion 2021. Our annual tradition looked a bit different this year with several events held under a tent on Doyle lawn. From Friday's Crab Feast & Happy Hour to Sunday's Memories & Mimosas Brunch, the weekend offered an opportunity for alumnae, alumni, and friends to reconnect on campus, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

On Saturday, the class of 1970 alumnae celebrated their milestone reunion and each received special pins at the Jubilarian Brunch. Also, on Saturday, Sr. Mary Oates, author of Pursuing Truth: How Gender Shaped Catholic Education at the College of Notre Dame, shared her research from writing the book, which chronicles NDMU's rich history over 100 years. Sunday's Reunion Mass brought together our alumnae, alumni, and friends for a special opportunity to pray for the success of NDMU's mission, as well as to recognize members of the Montrose Society, who are committed to sustain the university through their legacy giving.

At Saturday's Reunion Celebration Dinner, four outstanding alumnae were recognized for excellence in their careers, community service, and commitment to NDMU and its mission. This year's award winners are:

Elizabeth P. Hoisington ’40 Distinguished Alumna Award: Grace Solimando Zaczek ’70
Service to Society Award: Natalie Ramirez ’94
Regina Russo Hammel ’41 Outstanding Recent Graduate Award: Kirby Gaddy ’13
Alumnae and Alumni Engagement Award: Claire Funkhouser ’71

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U.S. News Ranks NDMU as Best Value Leader

The 2022 U.S. News Best Colleges ranking recognizes NDMU as a best value school in the northern region. NDMU rose more than 25 spots to #27 on the Best Value Schools ranking. NDMU also ranked #21 on the top performers in social mobility list and tied for #62 for the best universities in the regional north. This year, U.S. News Best Colleges added a ranking for the best undergraduate nursing programs, and our Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree program placed in the top half.

President Yam Named One of MD Most Admired CEOs

The Daily Record has named Notre Dame of Maryland University President Marylou Yam one of Maryland’s 2021 Most Admired CEOs. As NDMU’s 14^th president since 2014, Dr. Yam is a visionary leader with a commitment to innovation and service. Under her leadership, NDMU launched the cutting-edge IMPRINT leadership development program for students, Maryland’s first bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in art therapy, and the state’s first doctorate in occupational therapy program at a private university. Recently, the state approved its first physician assistant program at a private university and a master's degree in family nurse practitioner program.

Art Therapy Program Graduates Second Master's Degree Cohort

The Art Therapy Department's Master of Arts in art therapy program celebrated the graduation of the second cohort of students from the program in August 2021. Students completing the master's degree program are immediately eligible for professional licensure, reviewed, and determined by the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists in Maryland. The 2020 graduates are all employed full time as art therapists in private practice groups and in Maryland. The August graduates are excited to be on path to follow in their successful footsteps.

Morrissy Scholars stand in front of colorful artwork

Morrissy Scholars Visit the BMA

A group of Morrissy Scholars joined Dr. Jennifer Wester, assistant professor of art history, for a visit to the Baltimore Museum of Art, where they toured the permanent collection and several exhibitions featuring work by women artists. They are pictured inside an immersive installation by German artist Katharina Grosse called, "Is It You?"

Anchorage Connects Student Matches

Group photo of anchorage program students

Last month, the Anchorage Program connected current student leaders with their new student mentees, who they will support throughout the academic year. The Anchorage Program creates a vibrant, community-oriented environment that provides support for undergraduate students to become leader who will transform lives.

School News

School of Arts, Sciences & Business

Dr. Jill Scheibler, LCPAT and Cathy Goucher, LCPAT of the Art Therapy Department are co-presenting at the Annual Meeting of the American Studies Association, "Creativity within Revolt," being held virtually in October. They will be sharing about their art therapy informed, social justice work through their Baltimore non-profit, Make Studio: "Everyone an Artist: Make Studio, Progressive Practices, and Radical Connection."

The NDMU Philosophy Department will be hosting the Northeast Regional Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl on campus on Saturday, November 20. If you are interested in volunteering as a judge or moderator, please express your interest.

Assistant Professor Jessica Davis' essay "What is the Thing in Thing-Centered Pedagogy?" has been published in Philosophy of Education.

School of Education

Dr. Kristine E. Larson, founder and chair of the School of Education's Teacher Education for Flourishing Collaborative, was appointed as a senior fellow of the Community of Practice (CoP) at Harvard's Human Flourishing Program. Dr. Larson and another Senior Fellow of the CoP, Amrita Chaturvedi from Saint Louis University, recently published an article in the Eton Journal for Innovation and Research in Education entitled, "A Multi-tiered Support Framework to Promote Flourishing" (p. 39).

School of Nursing

School of Nursing faculty, staff, and students celebrated the official opening of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing (ABSN) Learning Site at Elkridge last month. A video of the ribbon cutting livestream is available online, as well as an event photo gallery. Several media outlets did stories about the ABSN program, and here are selected links from the media coverage:

School of Pharmacy

A PBS documentary aimed at ending vaccination misinformation and highlights our pharmacy experts and students with other leading healthcare advocates is set to air on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. on Maryland Public Television. Dr. Anne Lin, dean of the NDMU School of Pharmacy and a national voice on healthcare access, joins Drs. Mathew Shimoda, assistant dean for student affairs and associate professor of clinical & administrative sciences, and Ashley Moody, an assistant professor of clinical & administrative services in the film, "Vaccination from the Misinformation Virus."

Save the Dates

True Cost: Stories of Human Trafficking

October 11 | 7-8:45 p.m. | Virtual

A performance by StillPoint Theatre will be followed by a panel presentation and Q&A. This event is sponsored by the SSND Committee on Human Trafficking, the NDMU Global Solidarity Committee, and the NDMU School of Nursing. Undergraduate students earn a badge for attending this IMPRINT-designated event to earn a badge and work toward earning a certificate. Register to attend.

Baldwin Community Day

October 19 | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | LeClerc Hall, Auditorium

NDMU will celebrate Baldwin Community Day in honor of our SSND heritage.

Honors Convocation

October 19 | 3:30-4:45 p.m. | LeClerc Hall, Auditorium

Celebrate our Morrissey Honors Program students as they pursue excellence in their academics, service, and leadership development.

Gatorfest

October 23 | 1-4 p.m. | Gator Patio & Lawn

Notre Dame of Maryland University has planned a series of events that will appeal to participants of all ages including the highly anticipated Gatorfest featuring fall-themed foods, interactive activities and tons of fun!

Common Read: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

October 26 | 7 p.m. | Zoom

This year’s Common Read selection for Notre Dame of Maryland University is Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. This summer, all students, faculty, and staff will read Homegoing and participate in various opportunities throughout the academic year to engage in scholarly inquiry, broaden, and deepen their understanding and responsiveness to social problems, promote dialogue and interdisciplinary exchanges, and seek opportunities to put the new learning into action. Gyasi will conduct a virtual visit in a public presentation.

Artist's Reception for Sam Lacombe: 25 Years of Neon

October 30 | 4-6 p.m. | Gormley Gallery

Join us for a reception to celebrate the opening of the exhibition, "Sam Lacombe: 25 Years of Neon." It features oil paintings, gouache pieces, and drawings depicting aspects of urban Americana graphic signage. These works explore issues of form, light, design, and process, and transform these ubiquitous, public subjects in poetic ways. This event is free and open to the public.

Academic Calendar

Be sure to check out the latest version of the Academic Calendar for 2021-2022.