International Award for NDMU Publication Honors Creative Excellence

Universitas 2020 Wins Second International Recognition
A spread of Universitas 2020 magazines, featuring the award-winning cover


(BALTIMORE, Md.) Notre Dame of Maryland University’s annual magazine, Universitas, won a second international award for outstanding publication design in one of the world’s oldest and largest creative competitions recognizing professional excellence.

Universitas 2020, which celebrates the University’s accomplishments and donors, received a 2022 Gold winner in the Hermes Creative Awards in the annual report category. In fall 2021, the same issue won a Silver honors in the NYX Marcom Awards.


“International recognition for Universitas 2020 by the Hermes Creative Awards reflects the power of our new NDMU brand in communicating a compelling message about the University’s strengths,” said Dr. Marylou Yam, president of Notre Dame of Maryland University.

Hermes Creative Awards judges reviewed more than 6,500 entries from the United States, Canada, and dozens of other countries in this year’s competition, administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP). The judges are industry professionals who evaluate award submissions for exceptional talent and creative work. Ranging from individuals to media conglomerates and Fortune 500 companies, the winners demonstrate excellence in more than 200 categories, including advertising, publications, branding, integrated marketing, public relations, and digital media.

Universitas 2020 introduces the launch of NDMU's new brand, messaging, and tagline – The Best You. The unique cover uses a die-cut of the brand tagline, “The Best You,” to reveal the signature illustration by artist David Plunkert of Spur Design in Baltimore. The magazine also features stories about the University’s signature IMPRINT program for the Women’s College, several nursing student and alumni heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the achievements of the NDMU community. The University Marketing and University Communications teams work together to produce Universitas each year for the NDMU campus community, alumni, donors, and friends.

The AMCP represents thousands of marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, and media production professionals and rewards achievement and service to the profession through its awards programs.


Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.

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