VISIONS ACADEMY OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR
SPRING 2018
Building Relationships
25 years
for more than
Notre Dame Serves Women of Hope
MISSION STATEMENT The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school, commits itself to the education of young women of grades 6 through 12 for responsible living in a global society. The Academy, rooted in the faith tradition of the Catholic Church, and the charism of Saint Julie Billiart, provides its students with a challenging academic curriculum within a rich spiritual community in order to: • inspire them to live the prophetic nature of the gospel, with a passion for justice and love for the poor, • enable them to develop the skills and desire necessary for life-long learning, • empower them to be honorable, compassionate leaders.
issue In this
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Called to Serve Living Our Hallmarks
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Celebrating the Class of 2018 College Matriculations
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Reunion 2018 Weekend Celebrates Alumnae
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Serving the World Junior Assists as Interpreter
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New Schools Added to CGL Learning Community Expands
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Campus Events Dedication Ceremony and PACs
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Service Beyond the Gates Alumnae Inspirations
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Faculty Insight New Faculty Drawn to Community
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Alumnae Class Notes
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Alumna Ambassador Gives through Public Service
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Around Notre Dame News and Achievements
28
Advancement News 2018 Events
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December Groundbreaking Marks Milestone for ND
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Athletics Spring Sports Updates
On the cover: Michele Bilotta ’18 is a steadfast friend to the women who live at Women of Hope in Philadelphia. “Each person has something important to say and they give really helpful advice.”
A message from the
PRESIDENT
L
ook carefully at Notre Dame’s school seal and you will see an open book with the words Fides et Caritas – Faith and Charity. Those two simple words are at the very heart of our Notre Dame community and forever link us to Saint Julie Billiart and the legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
Through service that “honors the dignity and sacredness of each person” as stated in our Hallmarks, we experience a moral value that demonstrates what it means to live our Catholic faith and mission. In this issue of VISIONS, you will meet students, faculty, staff and alumnae who carry Saint Julie’s mission of service well beyond our gates into communities near and far. These efforts are grounded both in our legacy and in our 2015-2020 Strategic Vision, OUR TIME to INSPIRE. Our Strategic Vision also seeks to provide educational space that fosters academic excellence and compassionate leadership. I am pleased to share that we celebrated the groundbreaking for our new Center for STEM Education on December 20, 2017. The STEM Center promotes student centered learning models that emphasize the ability of STEM designs and products to heal and enhance the quality of life throughout the world. It is my honor to welcome the Michael Ham Memorial College, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and The Study, Montreal, Canada, to our international learning community and the Academy’s Center for Global Leadership. Through the Center for Global Leadership we are committed to promoting the empowerment of young women through mutually enriching, high-quality educational opportunities and cultural exchanges. Finally, I know you share our pride as we congratulate the Class of 2018 on their graduation from Notre Dame. These talented young women are exceptionally well prepared to meet the challenges ahead. I know they will carry Saint Julie’s love and commitment to service with them as they shape a future of promise and hope. Sincerely, Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. President ADMINISTRATION
Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D. President
Jacqueline Coccia, MA Principal Kim Eife, MS Academic Dean Jennifer Nobles, MA Dean of Students
VISIONS MAGAZINE
Judy Detwiler, Editor Director of Marketing and Communications
CONTRIBUTORS
DESIGN
Tim Conway Conway Design
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Office of Advancement
Kriston Jae Bethel
Jessica H. Turner ’06
Maura Wilson Communications Coordinator
560 Sproul Road, Villanova, PA 19085 www.ndapa.org 610.687.0650
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CALLED TO SERVE
CALLED to SERVE
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n unbroken chain binds every member of the Notre Dame community from the Academy’s founding in 1856 to today – a commitment to carry the spirit of Saint Julie Billiart in their own lives by serving the poor, the needy, and those who are neglected.
This dedication to community service and respect for the dignity of every person is at the heart of Notre Dame’s more than 25 year relationship with Women of Hope transitional housing in Philadelphia. Women of Hope, a Sisters of Mercy outreach now managed by Catholic Social Services, offers women with mental health issues or chronic homelessness a safe, caring community where they can work toward independent living and permanent housing.
For senior Michele Bilotta, the visits have been an equally enriching experience. “Each conversation I have teaches me a new lesson, but the most important thing I have learned is not to make judgments about others before you get to know them. If you keep an open mind and an open heart, you can see the good qualities in anyone, no matter where they come from or what they’re going through.” Mathematics teacher Mrs. Mary Anne Opila is one of Notre Dame’s chefs. “Serving these deserving women helps me engage in one of the Corporal Works of Mercy, to feed the hungry. Through my service I live out Notre Dame’s belief statement that each individual is a reflection of the good God, and deserves to be respected, loved, supported, and encouraged.”
For the past two years, Notre Dame’s art classes have supported Women of Hope by creating and selling “leaf bowls” through an online auction. In 2017, the student works raised $600.
Each month, faculty members cook a nutritious “Sunday dinner” for the 22 women who live at Women of Hope. Student volunteers, led by outreach coordinator and faculty member Ms. Sally Gallagher, prepare side dishes and travel to the Vine Street location to serve dinner and provide conversation and companionship for the residents. Hannah Terry is the Program Director at Women of Hope.
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“It’s a special day when Notre Dame comes to visit,” she says. “Yes, the food is delicious! But having these young people come here shows that they care about the women. They laugh together and tell stories. It’s very affirming. Some residents may not have family or close relationships, so having Notre Dame students come to be with them and form relationships is beautiful.”
VISIONS SPRING 2018
we take our stand with PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY, especially women and children, in the MOST ABANDONED PLACES. take our stand with PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY, “…we especially women and children, in the MOST ABANDONED PLACES. ” ~ Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
The Schneider sisters, graduates Katherine ’14, Mikayla ’16, and now junior Jessica, continue the family tradition as volunteers with Women of Hope. “I always bring mashed potatoes, because they are one of my favorite foods, and I love to share it with the ladies,” says Jessica. “They appreciate all we do, just as we appreciate all the lessons they can and do teach us.” Mikayla remembers her service with Women of Hope as one of her favorite service projects at Notre Dame but now has a deeper appreciation for the program. “There has been a lot of attention recently on the importance of mental health and it is important to be involved with an organization that makes mental health a focus,” she says. Gallagher reflected on the quarter-century relationship between Notre Dame and Women of Hope, “Over the many years I have gone to Women of Hope with our students, I have been the recipient of the blessing of seeing them grow as women of Notre Dame. ND and Women of Hope are friends!”
“Good will alone is not enough; it must also be put into practice.” ~ Saint Julie Billiart Service to others is demonstrated at all grade levels and is at the heart of Notre Dame’s student organizations. Mrs. Josephine Gandolofo, Director of Campus Ministry, coordinates many of the Academy’s outreach projects. “Feeding the hungry is a constant in many of our outreach programs because the need is so great.” says Gandolfo. “Our high school students are serving meals to the homeless at St. Francis Inn and Women of Change
Each summer, students volunteer at “I Can Bike” Camp, a program held on campus which helps youth with disabilities build confidence and self-reliance by learning how to ride a bike.
shelters in Philadelphia. Campus Ministry students collected and assembled food baskets for distribution at Thanksgiving and our middle school students prepare meals for low income and homebound elderly. Notre Dame’s commitment to service extends to our parents, who come to campus each month to make sandwiches for the homeless who are served by the Patrician Society in Norristown.” Notre Dame’s student organizations embrace Saint Julie’s charism of service. In December, the High School Student Council collected gifts for Laurel House, a shelter in Norristown that provides services for families affected by domestic violence. Student donations provided residents and their children with an opportunity to “shop” for special Christmas gifts. The Middle School Student Council supported the outreach by hosting a movie night fundraiser to purchase gift cards for the high school residents at the shelter.
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CALLED TO SERVE
Each year, National Honor Society members evaluate and select service projects as a group, offering support for Special Olympics, Philabundance, St. Edmund’s Home for Children, and Cradles to Crayons.
Be compassionate and generous. Show God’s goodness to the world. These basic truths guide each and every member of our Notre Dame community. I am inspired by the many ways Notre Dame lives out the charism of Saint Julie.”
Students also address social justice issues through service and action. Members of the Sisters in STEM and Respect Life Clubs joined forces to address the global impact of water waste in textile manufacturing. Through a combined awareness campaign and collection of gently used clothing for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, students not only served the needy but made a positive impact on our environment through recycling. In the fall, students and faculty participated in a “Walk for Water” to raise money for the work of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to ensure access to clean water for children and families around the world. “Saint Julie set the standard for us to follow,” says Notre Dame’s President, Dr. Judith Dwyer. “Serve the poor and needy.
Middle School students prepare meals for homebound elderly.
Students collect clothing for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
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VISIONS SPRING 2018
Interpreter Student Serves as
for Medical Team and Patients
For junior Anna Miranda, community service goes beyond her local community. This winter, the ND student traveled to India to assist as an interpreter for volunteer physicians and nurses with the British Medical Camp, held at the BKL Walawalkar Hospital Diagnostic and Research Center, Dervan. Each year, medical staff from the United Kingdom volunteer one week of surgical, dental, and health services to the families who live in the villages near the hospital, located in one of the poorest regions in western India. Anna’s uncle, a urologist practicing in the UK, is one of the team’s surgical volunteers.
“I am interested in medicine and my uncle invited me to help at the camp as a translator,” says Miranda. She used her fluency with the language spoken in the region, Marathi, to help the British medical team communicate with patients and their children. She lived in the hospital’s residential quarters with the medical team. Each day she traveled with a mobile medical unit to local villages where she translated and transcribed for physicians and patients during medical and dental check-ups. She also had the opportunity to observe surgical procedures.
“The people there are very poor and they were so happy to receive the free medical care in their villages. It is so different from America. We live in a very privileged place and it was inspiring to see the altruism of the doctors. Volunteering with the British medical team and the camp meant so much to me and to the people we helped.”
Anna Miranda (right) with the mobile medical unit in India.
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SERVICE BEYOND THE GATES
Service inspired by
Fides et Caritas
“Saint Julie built her life’s work on the motto ‘fides et caritas’ – Faith and Charity. The seeds for my faith and commitment to serving others and giving back to the community were planted and fertilized at Notre Dame,” says ND alumna Melissa Bemer ’04. “Our motto shaped my future and subsequently brought me to working with the homeless community at Project HOME for eight years and now in the University of Pennsylvania Health System working with high-risk patients to support their health and psychosocial needs and goals.” Bemer’s days as a community volunteer are full as she cuddles babies in the NICU at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, volunteers with Camp Erin and the Grief Reach Program at Penn Wissahickon Hospice, and helps foster service dogs for the Penn Vet Working Dog Center. She continues her connection with Project HOME by hosting bingo for the residents of Kate’s Place – a residential community for individuals who have been homeless. “Sister Mary Scullion, the founder of Project HOME, has been an incredible role model to me and someone whom I admire deeply. She said, ‘every man, woman, and child possesses gifts, worth, and potential – everyone matters.’ Working with some of the most vulnerable and marginalized people in our community, I see how lonely, hurt, and unloved people feel and I have made community service a big part of my life.”
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At the individual level, community service helps people develop important life skills such as open-mindedness, empathy, and awareness of others and the world. At the community level, it helps enhance the lives of others while building a stronger, healthier, and more engaged community. At the global level, the impact of community service transcends across many areas, including environmental, health, education, advocacy, and government reform.
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~ Melissa Bemer ’04
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“ND was the first place where my own volunteering vantage point was established,” reflects alumna Michele Toscani Gallagher ’77. “As a freshman, I volunteered every Tuesday night to help inner-city youth learn to read. That may have been the first time I experienced joy when helping another person.” Since leaving Notre Dame, serving others has been a constant in Gallagher’s life. She has worked with the Interfaith Hospitality Network to support homeless women and children and volunteered in CHOP’s transplant units to comfort sick children and their families.
SERVICE
“As I think about my community service, I realize MOTIVATED BY THE that my heart motivated my work,” says Gallagher. “I remember sitting by the beds of the suffering children at CHOP realizing that I was communicating and relating to these oftentimes strangers with nothing more than pure compassion and love. When I talked late into the night with a homeless woman I could see how easily a human connection can be made. It mattered little that we had nothing in common. The connection was human suffering and it was a great comfort to feel this human bonding.”
HEART
Gallagher, who has been a professional fine artist for 28 years, now works as a mental health therapist with adolescents struggling with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm and other mental and behavioral issues. “I am able to do this work because of the years of volunteering and connecting with suffering and impoverished people and communities.” “Volunteering in community service defines a person,” says Gallagher. “It gives birth to the truest and most unique parts of any individual. They find themselves and who they are in God’s eyes. Volunteering and crossing into another person’s life generates great love, and when one experiences this love, it is joy.”
VISIONS SPRING 2018
“Public service is my way of giving back.”
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Alumna Appointed Ambassador
hroughout her 27-year career in the Foreign Service, Notre Dame alumna Nina Fite ’75 has served at seven United States Missions overseas and in senior leadership positions at the Department of State. Now, she is bringing her extensive international experience to serve as United States Ambassador to the Republic of Angola. Amb. Fite’s interest in global affairs started at home. “My mother was Brazilian and so I grew up in a bicultural house. That was the real driver to look at international affairs. I also have Brazilian cousins who were diplomats. Hearing about their lives and work influenced me greatly.” After graduation from Notre Dame, Amb. Fite earned a B.Arch. from Carnegie-Mellon University. She went on to earn an M.B.A. from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and an M.S. from National Defense University. Her international assignments have included service as Regional Environment, Science, Technology, and Health Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest,
Hungary; assignment to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, as Deputy Economic Counselor; and service in the Republic of Angola as the U.S. Embassy’s Political-Economic Section Chief. Prior to her confirmation as Ambassador in November 2017, she was Consul General with the U.S. Consulate in Montreal, Canada.
“... to whom much is given, much will be required.” When asked about her decision to enter public service, Amb. Fite replied, “I was raised with the Christian/Catholic value which says to whom much is given, much will be required. We, as women who were privileged to receive a wonderful education at Notre Dame and for most of us, a college education as well, are far luckier than so many people around the world. Public service is my way of giving back.”
“As a diplomat we have the opportunity to put a human face on ‘who Americans are.’ In many countries, people don’t have the opportunities we have in the United States to achieve goals through hard work – our famous Horatio Alger model. So, I am able to show that a female child of an immigrant can rise to the position of Ambassador, which in many cultures would be unimaginable.” Amb. Fite stresses the need for women to be prepared to take their place as leaders. “Women roughly account for one-half of the world’s population. If women are not prepared to be leaders, and to participate in the social and economic growth of a country, then that country cannot move forward. We are richer in the United States because of our gender diversity.” “One of the best things Notre Dame provided me was the knowledge that I could do anything – since we were all girls, the girls were the elected leaders, athletes, scholars.” Amb. Fite carries lasting memories of her days at Notre Dame, including “the wonderful friendships I made, and the many women with whom I am still in contact. And of course, sneaking up to the third floor in the Mansion.”
In the photograph above, Amb. Fite is shown presenting her credentials to Angolan President Joao Lourenco.
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DECEMBER GROUNDBREAKING
DECEMBER GROUNDBREAKING Marks Milestone for Notre Dame “This Center is bigger than all of us. It’s the bridging of science and faith in one building. The girls and our faculty deserve this new building, they need it.” ~ Barbara Phelan Riley ’90 P’19’21’23 T
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he Academy of Notre Dame officially broke ground on a new 30,000 square foot Center for STEM Education at a ceremony on December 20, 2017. The state-of-the-art facility incorporates the latest technology and teaching/learning environments for study of the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Notre Dame’s President, Dr. Judith A. Dwyer welcomed guests, students, alumnae, faculty, and staff. “Today we mark yet another milestone in the history of Notre Dame. Our new Center for STEM Education embodies educational space that inspires, providing an intellectual energy and the aspiration to push boundaries of learning. The Center emphasizes the ability of STEM designs and products to heal and enhance the quality of life throughout the world.” The new Center will include technology enabled active learning (TEAL) environments that include eight science laboratories, three lab prep rooms, eight mathematics classrooms, a design thinking and entrepreneurship classroom and labs dedicated to design and innovation, robotics and coding. George Van Kula P’10’12’18 T, Chair of Notre Dame’s
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The Riley Family
Board of Trustees, offered his gratitude to school administrators, faculty, members of the Academy’s STEM Strategic Council, leaders of the Academy’s capital campaign, and donors, “Our new STEM Center will play a critical role in developing the skills students need to become STEM leaders, while our Catholic faith tradition will guide them as they apply those skills with compassion and justice.” Co-Chair of the STEM Strategic Council, Brian McNeill P’10’11, added, “Today we break new ground in expanding the world of possibilities for our students and teachers. You will be fully prepared to face your future with an unshakable set of core values and a clear pathway to leverage your education in any field you choose to pursue.”
VISIONS SPRING 2018
“We have top-quality faculty and great curriculum committed to STEM education. The fact that we will now have a building to allow that to flourish is fantastic.” ~ Steven Schwartz P'09 T, Co-Chair of the STEM Strategic Council
Support for the Academy’s “OUR TIME to INSPIRE” campaign continues during implementation of Notre Dame’s campus master plan. The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur is pleased to receive a grant from the State of Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program in support of the Center for STEM Education.
“This campus will always be home to us, the same way it is for students who graduated before the new Athletic Fields, or the Harron Building or the Connelly Arts Center. We are all so proud to be part of this legacy.”
Senior Charlotte Bradley, Five Main President, (left) with Middle School Three Main President Jordyn Williams ’22 (right).
“I believe we all have a great responsibility and a great opportunity to make the Notre Dame educational experience available to girls for years to come.” D’Arcy Foster Rudnay ’73 P’03’05 T shown with her husband, Tamas.
Capital Campaign Leadership from left to right: Judi Taylor P’12; Sister Helen Bellew, SND; Agnes Gillin Gayhardt ’83 P’17; Karen and Andrew Willis P’08’13’18; Pat and Helen Burns P’08’10’16; Academy President Dr. Judith A. Dwyer; Brian Riley and Barbara Phelan Riley ’90 P’19’21’23.
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2018 MATRICULATIONS
Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
2018 MATRICULATIONS Auburn University Boston College Boston University Bucknell University Clemson University Cornell University Dickinson College Drexel University Duquesne University Fairfield University George Washington University Georgetown University Hamilton College - NY Indiana University at Bloomington James Madison University Lehigh University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University New Orleans Marymount Manhattan College Middlebury College Muhlenberg College Northeastern University Northwestern University Pennsylvania State University Providence College Quinnipiac University Rutgers University-New Brunswick Saint Joseph’s University
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San Diego State University Sewanee: The University of the South Syracuse University Temple University Tufts University University of Arizona University of California, Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Santa Barbara University of Colorado at Boulder University of Dayton University of Delaware University of Michigan University of Notre Dame University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Rhode Island University of Scranton University of South Carolina University of Southern California University of Vermont University of Virginia Villanova University West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Virginia University Wilkes University Wittenberg University Xavier University
FAST FACTS Through the spiritual and academic foundation built at the Academy, the Class of 2018 is prepared to take on the new challenges that await them with faith and confidence.
• 81% of the graduating class responded “yes” to the College Counseling question, “Were you accepted to one of your top choice colleges?” • 99% of the Class of 2018 reported being very happy or happy with the college they will be attending in the fall. • 95% of graduates will be attending colleges that the Princeton Review designates as “The Best 382 Colleges” • 309 scholarships were awarded to 86 different students • 10 student-athletes have committed to playing their sport at NCAA colleges and universities.
VISIONS SPRING 2018
News from the
Students Participate in Leadership Conference Seventh graders Ceci Massaua and Alexandra McCulloch traveled to Canada in April, accompanied by CGL Director Mrs. Nora Moffat to participate in a leadership conference hosted by The Study, an all-girls’ school located in Montreal. The annual conference gives students in grades five, six, and seven the opportunity to connect with other students and develop leadership skills. On May 28, Notre Dame and the CGL formalized a learning partnership with The Study.
Academy's Learning Network Expands Notre Dame welcomes the Vicente Lopez campus of the Michael Ham Memorial College, Buenos Aires, Argentina and The Study, Montreal, Canada to our international learning community and the Academy's Center for Global Leadership (CGL). Notre Dame now has learning partnerships with eight schools internationally. We look forward to working on shared learning experiences with the students and educators at Michael Ham and The Study.
Class Delegates Chosen for CGL Student Advisory Board A Global Leadership Student Board was formed this year to include student voices, ideas, and perspectives into the programmatic decisions of the CGL. Two students were selected from each grade from faculty recommendations by the Social Studies and World Languages departments. Representatives were selected who have an increased sense of cultural, international, or global awareness or competency and the ability to think from others’ perspectives. The group has demonstrated the confidence to advocate for what they feel would benefit the entire school culture by offering specific ideas and feedback on global citizenship development.
President Dwyer signed a formal affiliation agreement with Sergio Grimozzi, Head of the Michael Ham Memorial College, and Diana Hyland, Head of the Secondary School in Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 3, 2018.
Notre Dame Hosts Students from Japan Twelve students from the Academy’s sister school in Hiroshima, Notre Dame Seishin, visited campus for five days in March. The students were hosted by the families of ND students who traveled to Japan last summer. Student guests attended classes and participated in special activities with their ND hosts, including a discussion of the atomic bombing of Japan and an exploration of ways we can cultivate peace in our world.
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FACULTY INSIGHT
FACULTY
INSIGHT by Jessica H. Turner ’06
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s a Havertown local, Jenn Brown’s connection with Notre Dame runs deep; her grandmother attended Notre Dame Rittenhouse, and her aunt and cousin both went to the Villanova campus.
Her first teaching experience was in North Philadelphia. She studied Journalism and Communications and ended up teaching sixth through ninth graders with low reading levels in a povertystricken region. Working with the students inspired her to become a teacher. She received her M.Ed. and worked in public schools before coming to Notre Dame. “When I saw the opportunity here, I felt like it was meant to be,” she says. “I love the mission statement and the honor code. I love the idea of educating young girls for life. That was something I wanted to do as a teacher. It is so different here – I love the small classes, the collaborations with other teachers and having a say in what I teach and the way I teach.” All of Brown’s classes engage in periods of Silent Sustained Reading. Most periods begin with several minutes of reading books of their own choice, and at the end of the year, the students complete projects in which they compare any book they’ve read to something they read for class. “It encourages them to read anything they’re interested in. As much as I would love all ninth graders to be in love with the Odyssey and the Iliad, that’s not the case. So this is something my students have said they’ve enjoyed, that they can read something in here they get to choose for themselves.”
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Amanda Klause originally wasn’t interested in taking Latin as a high school student, but after her father encouraged her to do so, she discovered she loved the language. “I always loved history and mythology and studied it through college. I never stopped studying or loving it and ended up getting my Ph.D. in Classics at Princeton which is where I had my first teaching experience.” Teaching was required of her, and she fell in love with it. “Sharing my passion with young people is wonderful. I like to include history and culture in my classes so the lessons aren’t just dry grammar. Students love to see how the world was and what life was like. What’s so rewarding about studying Latin is the ability to read Latin poetry, novels, and historic documents, and not just what the Romans wrote. If you want to read the works of certain Renaissance poets, the writings of Isaac Newton, or understand the original language of the Church – it’s all in Latin. The girls recently read about Spanish explorers coming to America for the first time and that’s in Latin, too. There’s a lot to explore and that’s what I love about it.” Teaching at Notre Dame is the first experience with single-sex education for Brown and Klause. Says Brown, “Every girl is outspoken and isn’t afraid to speak up. Unfortunately that’s not always the case when you have both boys and girls, especially in middle school. It’s amazing as a teacher to feel like you can hear everybody and all of their opinions and what they have to say – and it’s the same for the high school.”
VISIONS SPRING 2018
Mrs. Jenn Brown and Dr. Amanda Klause are both new additions to the Notre Dame faculty. Brown teaches seventh grade Language Arts and ninth grade World Literature. Klause teaches Latin at all grade levels. They came to teaching at Notre Dame from different experiences but fell in love with the same thing: COMMUNITY.
Klause agrees. “The biggest difference between teaching at Notre Dame and co-ed classes is the comfort level the girls have in the classroom and with each other. It’s their willingness to make mistakes and learn from each other, which is not something I always saw in a co-ed classroom.”
Brown notes that “the girls really excel here because they have this place where they’re safe to share what they think. They have the resources and all these people supporting them and wanting them to be the very best that they can be. They feel that from their teachers and peers.”
Both teachers love the close-knit community at Notre Dame. When she was interviewed for her job, Klause noticed that “it was clear how the people who work here cared about the girls, and someone told me the girls call each other ‘sisters.’ That was a big part of what attracted me. The sense of community among the faculty and students was important to me.”
Even though both Brown and Klause went to co-ed schools as young students, they believe in the value and enjoy being part of the single-sex education experience here at Notre Dame. Klause says, “The girls are so supportive of each other. It’s the kind of community I wish I had in high school – it’s wonderful.”
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AROUND NOTRE DAME
AROUND N ND Faculty Member Featured in Peer-Reviewed Publication An article written by Notre Dame High School English teacher Dr. Andrew McNally (left) was published in the February issue of the peer-reviewed journal, California English. In his article, titled Formative and Focused, Specific and Substantive: Moving from “Spellcheck” to “So What,” McNally offers his approach to providing feedback and strategies that promote more meaningful student engagement with the content of writing. “I made the case for educators to give their students feedback that ensures that the students improve in terms of their arguments and ideas and not just the structure of their sentences,” says McNally. “By focusing commentary on the substance of a student’s argument, you provide them with more compelling reasons to revise, make them feel like you take their ideas seriously, and help guide them in the actual work of persuasion.” McNally received his Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and is currently pursuing his M.Ed. at Villanova University.
Students Introduced to the Risk, Reward of Entrepreneurship Students in ND’s Entrepreneurship, Finance, and Design Thinking classes gained real-life perspectives on the challenges, risks, and rewards entrepreneurs face on their way to pursuing their dreams. In January, students met Drexel
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graduate and successful entrepreneur Michelle Silberman (shown below with faculty Mr. Tyler Gaspich, left and Mr. Andrew Foreman, right). Ms. Silberman is the “Chief Cookie Officer” for her business, ChocAmo - cookie cups which can be filled with cold or hot beverages, ice cream, or other fillings. Ms. Silberman shared her business development process from idea conception as a seventh grader, to her experience working with Kickstarter, to the status of her growing business. Junior Anna Dewey is a student in the Design Thinking and Entrepreneurship class. “It was so interesting to hear how Ms. Silberman’s experience followed the same process that Mr. Gaspich taught us in class.” In February, students visited the University of Pennsylvania’s Pennovation
Works, a state-of-the-art business incubator and laboratory for university researchers, private sector innovators, and startups. Dr. Marc Turco, Chief Innovation and Corporate Outreach Officer, and Dr. Michael Dishowitz, Director of Penn’s UPstart incubator, shared insights into the entrepreneurial process during a tour of the facility. Students pictured with Dr. Dishowitz from left to right: Isabelle Molinari, Lauren Gaetano, Anna Miranda, Julia McGovern, and Emma Kichula.
VISIONS SPRING 2018
OTRE DAME Middle School Targets Water Waste Middle School members of the Academy’s Sisters in STEM club raised awareness of conservation issues, climate change, and the impact of habitat destruction on wildlife as participants in the Philadelphia Zoo’s Albert M. Greenfield UNLESS Contest. The club identified the issue of water waste related to textile manufacturing and proposed school-wide initiatives to raise awareness of water waste by collecting used clothing for the St. Vincent de Paul charity. The students participated in virtual meetings with a Zoo guide to learn more about their conservation topic and visited the Zoo to learn about critically endangered species, including the Panamanian golden frog.
Bradley Smith, Learning and Engagement Specialist with the Philadelphia Zoo, discusses endangered species with Madison Frank ’22.
ND Student Quoted in New York Times Media Story This winter, a New York Times contest challenged students to explore their relationship with the news by analyzing their daily “news diets.” Participants were asked to conduct a 48-hour audit of the news they consume and then reflect on what they have learned about the role of news in their lives. ND freshman Katherine Lanzalotto was cited in the Times story published on February 1 saying, “My biggest revelation is that news has become segmented, and people are watching their own versions of reality.” Lanzalotto’s perspective on the media has changed as a result of her audit. “I have decided to cut out social media news, as the sources can be unreliable and easily falsified. This “news diet” will hopefully present me with more factual, and less biased information to form my thoughts based on facts, rather than on opinions.”
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AROUND NOTRE DAME
Students Explore STEM Careers for Engineer's Week Students traveled to the Philadelphia Navy Yard to take part in a special presentation by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division in honor of Engineer’s Week. Students toured the Naval Surface Warfare Center and learned about civilian career options. Students from left to right: Eva Kraus, Lauren Gaetano, Sofia Quagliariello, Maggie Quirk, Caroline Heffernan, Paige Kieft, Maeve Pinheiro, and Emmeline Lignowski.
Students Participate in Ivy League Model UN Conference Seven juniors represented the Academy at the Ivy League Model UN Conference hosted by University of Pennsylvania in January. In preparation for the conference, the students researched and prepared
position papers on a wide range of topics, including electoral fraud in the African Union, sustainable economic development in Asia and the Pacific, post-BREXIT relations between the United Kingdom and EU. At the conference, students debated policies and created resolutions within their topics. Students from left to right: Emily Szela, Sophia Skorup, Erin Byrd, Anna Dewey, Juliet Marchesani, Meredith Lauzon, Caroline Voegele.
KYW Program Introduces Seniors to Broadcasting For four Sundays last October, seniors Katie Liebeskind (left) and Olivia Mianulli (right) had an insider’s look into the world of broadcast journalism as participants in KYW Newsradio’s Newstudies program. Both students have an interest in journalism and were selected to represent ND based on their essay submission. 200 students from the Delaware Valley met station managers, editors, reporters, and anchors to learn interviewing, newswriting, and reporting skills. Each student researched, wrote, and recorded a
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news story about their school community. The experience was eye-opening for Mianulli, who spoke about her experience. “To be in broadcast journalism you need to be committed and love what you do. This reinforced my decision to study communications when I go to college in the fall.” Liebeskind is also considering a
career in broadcasting and was impressed with the career networking connections. “I want to be a sports broadcaster and this program is a great way to get you on your feet in the field.” Liebeskind produced a feature on Notre Dame’s campus master plan and Mianulli captured the excitement of Spirit Day.
VISIONS SPRING 2018
Students Selected for Scholar Programs
Musical Takes Audience Down the Rabbit Hole
Congratulations to the recently announced Class of 2021 Notre Dame STEM Scholars of Excellence and Global Citizen Scholars. The STEM Scholar of Excellence Program provides opportunities for students to demonstrate scholarship in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Global Citizen Scholar Program enables students to develop global competencies through participation in globally focused courses, experiences, and international travel. Students who complete the programs receive a designation on their official transcript receive recognition at graduation.
A full house greeted middle school students for their two-night musical presentation of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. The production included 40 cast and nine backstage crew members.
STEM Scholars of Excellence (Back Row L to R) Madeleine Fitzhenry, Stefanie Bonini, Sophia Pappano, Grace Quirk, Johanna Murphy, Bailey Mattson, Isabel Oliver and Molly Searing. (Front Row L to R) Madelyn Schultz, Claire Pinnie, Ella Donahue, Catherine Wynne and Anna Kane.
Students Advance to National History Day Competition Sophomores Emily Massa and Gwen Pohlmann earned second place recognition among state-wide student entries at the Pennsylvania National History Day competition held in Carlisle on May 12 and 13. The students advanced to the National Competition in June for creation of their website: The Smart Angry Teenager Who Changed History: Conflict and Compromise in Claudette Colvin's Fight for Equal Rights. The National Contest brings together the best entries from around the world with middle and high school students competing at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Global Scholars of Excellence (Back Row L to R) Hannah Jackson, Maeve Pinheiro, Bryn O’Hara, Katherine Lanzalotto, Alexandra Loke, Ava MacLaughlin. Front Row (L to R) Isabella Langley, Sydney Worrell, Kiera Chambers, Ella MacFarlane. Not Pictured: Danielle Falcone.
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AROUND NOTRE DAME
ND Senior Recognized as National Merit Scholar Notre Dame is proud to announce senior Susana Rastelli (center) has been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a 2018 National Merit Winner and recipient of a $2,500 scholarship. All five Notre Dame National Merit Semifinalists advanced to Finalist status based on their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Students from left to right: Emily Apadula, Farran Dougherty, Susana Rastelli, Alexa Scavetti, and Lucy Van Kula. Congratulations to these talented young women.
Gold Key Winner Captures Japanese Traditions Junior Caroline Voegele (left) was recognized as a Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention winner for her photographic submissions in the 2018 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition. The Scholastic Awards recognize work that demonstrates originality, technical skill, and emergence of a personal voice or vision. Voegele’s photography captured her experiences in Japan last summer as a delegate for the Academy’s Center for Global Leadership. She received a Gold Key award for this photograph of a young woman she met in Hiroshima.
New Wireless Software Enhances Language Learning In alignment with the Academy’s strategic vision, which highlights technological fluency in an ever-evolving digital age, Notre Dame has partnered with Swift Education's Digital Language Lab (DiLL) to upgrade language learning capabilities. With DiLL, all world languages teachers can utilize the collaborative and recording features synonymous with our current language lab every class period on every device.
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VISIONS SPRING 2018
ND Junior Featured in “Philadelphia Voices” Junior Receives Leadership Award Emma Ciccotosto was honored as a 2018 recipient of the Widener University High School Leadership Award. The award, which includes a $20,000 scholarship for students who decide to attend Widener, recognizes high school students who have demonstrated courage by standing up for what is right, found a way to address a wrong, or made a difference in a significant way at his or her school or community. Winners were recognized at the National Constitution Center in March and invited to participate in a leadership development conference at Widener University.
Notre Dame junior Jayda Hepburn’s poetry was set to music by Boston composer Tod Machover and performed as part of his new musical composition, “Philadelphia Voices,” by the Philadelphia Orchestra and a 250-voice choir in Philadelphia on the weekend of April 5 and at Carnegie Hall in New York City on April 10. Machover recorded the sounds and voices of Philadelphia to create a crowd-sourced choral composition. The chorus was written by Philadelphia writers, including Hepburn, who participates in an afterschool program in Philadelphia called Mighty Writers. Machover took her poems and the work of other writers and set them to music for the choral composition.
Students Perform at Kimmel Center Five ND students were selected to perform in the Archdiocesan Concert of Excellence at the Kimmel Center in April. Congratulations to ND violinists Beatrice Aloi ’22, Eva Kraus ’20, and Hannah Jackson ’21; Christine Stavish ’18 who represented ND sitting first chair in the saxophone section of the All Catholic High School Concert Band; and flutist Emmeline Lignowski ’20.
Bestselling Author Meets with Middle School Author Ruta Sepetys visited campus in March to participate in a Q and A with eighth grade students about her critically acclaimed novel, Between Shades of Gray. Students in Ms. Helena Ryder’s history class read the historical novel to gain a deeper understanding of life for many families following the Soviet invasion of Lithuania in 1941.
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ATHLETICS
ATHLETICS at Notre Dame FRESHMAN BREAKS SWIM RECORD It has been a year of firsts for freshman swimmer Mia Abruzzo. Not only did she break five Notre Dame swimming records - in the 50m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle, 500m Freestyle 100m Breaststroke, and 200 Individual Medley, Abruzzo was recognized as All Delco female Swimmer of the Year and All-Easterns Female Swimmer of the Meet. Congratulations to Abruzzo and the swim team for their achievements in the pool and we look forward to another record breaking season next winter.
STUDENTS MAKE COLLEGE COMMITMENTS On April 11, three student athletes signed their National Letters of Intent to play their sport at the collegiate level. Congratulations to Elise Butler (Volleyball) –Dickinson College, Molly Kieft (Rowing) – George Washington University, and Katie Liebeskind (Field Hockey) - Wittenburg University. Notre Dame recognized an additional seven student athletes in the fall issue of VISIONS.
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MOLLY KIEFT RECEIVES INTER AC ATHLETIC DIRECTORS’ AWARD Senior volleyball and crew team captain Molly Kieft was named the 2018 Notre Dame recipient of the Girls’ Inter-Academic League Athletic Directors’ Award at a recognition dinner in May. The award is presented annually to a senior female athlete who has been a multi-sport athlete and has exemplified the following characteristics - dedication to her team and school, outstanding representative of the Inter-Ac League, leadership, and sportsmanship. Keift will be continuing her athletic career next year as she rows for George Washington University.
ND ROWING BRINGS HOME SILVER Notre Dame’s rowing program continues to grow and excel on the water. At an exciting weekend of competition at the Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association (PSRA) City Rowing Championships the Novice Eight (8+) of Grace Wolter, Grace Quirk, Johanna Murphy, Meghan O'Meara, Caitlyn Hayes, Sophia Pappano, Anna Kane, Kira Capaldi and Coxswain Gracie Youaki were silver medalist, narrowly missing first by 0.7 sec. It was the first ever sweep medal in the history of the program. Congratulations!
VISIONS SPRING 2018
FIELD HOCKEY PLAYERS SELECTED FOR INDOOR USWNT Sophomores Mia Leonhardt and Emily Graeff have been selected to the U.S. Women’s National Junior Indoor Soccer Team and the National Futures Championships. Congratulations to these student athletes on this recognition.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS WINTER AND SPRING REVIEW Notre Dame’s high school teams celebrated successes on the court, in the pool, and on the track this winter season. Coach Mary Beth McNichol reached 500 career wins and took the basketball team all the way to the PAISAA final only to narrowly miss out to a strong Shipley School team. The high school swim team had a successful swim season which finished off with a great showing at the Easterns Championships. With only seven ND athletes competing, they placed 14 out of 30 schools. The indoor track team competed strongly this winter with standout performances from Jessica Schneider, who won the mile race in the Meet of Champions running the eighth best time in the state at 5:05.83 and winning by over 10 seconds.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS ROUNDUP The middle school winter sports teams claimed success in the pool and on the court. The swim team finished a great season with a first place win in the Medley Relay in the Inter Ac Meet with Lily Hahn, Maura McGeary, Kate Ranaudo and Bailey Wolfington. The varsity basketball team had a record-breaking year, finishing 13-0 in league play and winning the Catholic Academy League championship for the first time since 2015. Spring season is our busiest time of year for Varsity and JV Lacrosse, Fencing, Golf Club and Track and Field Club. Middle school track club competed in the Inter Ac track meet for the first time and marked impressive times with Kyleigh Calvert placing second in the mile and Cara Stevenson placing third in the 800. Varsity and JV lacrosse ended their season with a celebration for the eighth grade against Episcopal Academy.
WINTER/SPRING INTERAC ALL LEAGUE HONORS Basketball
First Team
Second Team Softball First Team Second Team Golf First Team Track & Field First Team
Mandy McGurk Maggie Pina Mia Abruzzo Hannah Gillespie Kelly Coyle Claire Gola Maggie O’Brien Isabelle McHugh Grace Jackson Caroline Adams Sophia Marlino Marissa Mycek Olivia Traynor Brianna Marmorstein Emma Kichula Alessandra Ciampi
Swimming Lacrosse
First Team First Team
• WINTER ALL DELCO TEAM Basketball First Team Second Team Honorable Mention Swimming First Team Honorable Mention
Mandy McGurk Maggie Pina Emma Kichula Caitlyn Mullen Mia Abruzzo (Swimmer of the Year) Kayleigh Olszewski
Indoor Track First Team
Jessica Schneider
• WINTER/SPRING MAINLINE ATHLETES OF THE WEEK Mia Abruzzo Swimming Maggie Pina Basketball Jessica Schneider Indoor Track Hannah Gillespie Lacrosse
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REUNION 2018
REUNION Weekend Celebrates Alumnae The lifelong friendships and deep bonds formed at ND were celebrated as the graduating classes of 3s and 8s gathered for Reunion Weekend on May 4 and 5. The weekend kicked off with a welcome reception on Friday, followed by a performance by Notre Dame’s Dance Company and dance students. Alumnae from the classes of 1953, 1958, 1963, and 1968 enjoyed a special luncheon in the Mansion on Saturday and the classes of 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013 enjoyed a cocktail reception on the Mansion terrace later that evening. Mass was celebrated in the chapel in the afternoon.
Class Celebrates
50 YEAR Reunion
Members of the Class of 1968 (photos on this page) reminisced about their days at ND over copies of their Reunion Yearbook and bound copies of The Gates newspaper prepared by Mimi Baumgardner Box ’68 at a festive luncheon in the Board Parlor on May 5. Alumnae remarked on the exciting progress of the new Center for STEM Education. We look forward to welcoming them and all our alumnae to a special ribbon-cutting ceremony when the Center is completed.
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Class of 1968
VISIONS SPRING 2018
Class of 1958
Class of 1988
Class of 1953
Class of 1978
Class of 1983
Reunion Weekend 2018 23
REUNION 2018
Class of 2013
Class of 1998
Class of 2008
Class of 1993
Class of 2003
Celebrating Alumnae 24
Joanne Torpey Torresson ’58 and Jacqueline Farrell Faulhaber ’58
VISIONS SPRING 2018
CAMPUS EVENTS
Gillin Terrace Dedicated On Friday, April 20, we recognized the special and lasting relationship between the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur and the Gillin and Gayhardt families. At a morning celebration, the Academy officially dedicated the “Gillin Terrace” given in honor of Robert M. Gillin and Martha W. Gillin by Agnes Gillin Gayhardt ’83 P’17 T and her brother, Stephen Gillin P’20, along with their spouses, Don and Leslie. Five of the Gillin’s daughters attended Notre Dame, their mother Martha (pictured at center) taught at ND and their father, Robert, served as the Academy’s Board Chair from 1979-1980. A plaque was presented to Mrs. Gillin which read in part, “Guided by their strong faith in God and love of family, they taught us to never give up, play hard, play fair, and have fun.” We are grateful to the Gillin and Gayhardt families for their steadfast support of Notre Dame.
Boston
New York City
Washington D.C.
PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COUNCILS OFFER INSIGHTS, SUPPORT The President’s Advisory Council (PAC) meets annually to receive updates from President Dwyer on new innovations and advances at the Academy and to provide valuable feedback and guidance. There currently are President’s Advisory Council chapters in Villanova, Boston, New York, and Washington D.C. A reception for all area alumnae follows the PAC meetings.
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ALUMNAE CLASS NOTES
Alumnae CLASS NOTES 1950-59 Ann Hughes ’54 and Eileen Farrell McHugh ’54 enjoyed an afternoon catching up at the Alumnae Luncheon.
Gina Mazzulla ’87 was recently elected Vice President of the Crimes Victims’ Center of Chester County Board of Directors.
2000-09 Brenna Powers ’01 married Tim Hughes on February 24, 2018 at the Avalon Golf Club in Avalon, NJ.
Rittenhouse Square alumnae Loretta Hartnett ’55, Barbara Harris ’57, Joan Pacella ’58, and Janet Colella ’59 celebrated the holiday season at the Fifth Annual Alumnae Christmas Party at the Union League of Philadelphia.
Maya Noronha ’01 traveled to the Holy Land for a 10-day pilgrimage during Lent of 2018.
Khalida Ali ’02 presented at SXSW with Dr. Patricia Devine on “The Art of Inclusivity in a Politically Divided US.” They discussed the important role tech companies have in creating diverse and inclusive workforces. They also discussed the role bias plays in preventing such a thing and finally presented tactics that individuals and organizations can implement to bring forth change and create welcoming spaces where everyone feels as though they belong. Grace Bernicker ’07 recently launched a successful crowdfunding campaign for a debut EP and acoustic cover series with a portion of the funds going to VocaliD to fully cover the cost of a voice for someone in need. Jeannie O’Neill ’07 married Davis Ellis on July 29, 2017 in Cape May, NJ.
1980-89 Karen Loftus ’82 is leveraging her success as a comedian and the work of her non-profit, The Body Comedy Project, to start Women’s Adventure Travels. She will be leading all-female trips around the world.
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Hannah Sisk ’09 married Benjamin LeVeque on May 12, 2017 in Philadelphia. Members of the bridal party included Francesca Sisk ’12, Laura Holman ’09, and Julie Anne Evans ’09. Hannah recently began work as a Registrar Assistant at The Frick Collection in New York City.
2010-Present Kelly Goodman ’12 married LTJG Thomas James Gaus on August 12, 2017 in Havertown, PA. Brigh Desjardins ’12 was the Maid of Honor. Kelly is a Registered Dietitian at UF Health Hospital.
VISIONS SPRING 2018
Emily Carr ’14 has completed two language immersion sessions studying Mandarin in China and has worked as an admissions officer for the Selamta School in Ethiopia.
Arrivals Trish Henwood Sullivan ’98 and her husband, Matt, welcomed their daughter, Madeline Henwood in October 2017. Samantha Carroll Harris ’05 and her husband, Chandler, welcomed their daughter, Harper Elizabeth on November 19, 2017.
In Memoriam Agnes Kane Durkin ’38 - December 11, 2017
Kathleen Ruane ’68 - February 24, 2018
Denyse Kane Boland ’46 - June 22, 2017
Rita Glbally, mother of Bootie Galbally Cooper ’77 - August 10, 2017
Eileen McNulty Berens ’52 - December 25, 2017 Roberta “Robin” Campbell ’57 - October 28, 2017 Russ Boschetti, husband of Barbara Evans Boschetti ’59 - November 21, 2017 Roberta McKenna Griffin ’63 - April 17, 2018
Sue Ann Margaret McGlade Wheeler ’82 - September 18, 2017 Madeleine O’Reilly ’84 - January 25, 2018 James J. Bruder, father of Margaret Anne Nolen ’88 and Jennifer Lavin ’90 - November 22, 2017
James Cleary Jr., father of Gwynne Barnes ’90 and Erin Cook ’92 - November 26, 2017 Karen Holstein Stevenson ’92 - February 9, 2018 Margaret “Meg” Christensen ’94 - January 30, 2018 Joseph C. Sander Jr., husband of Diane Sander FS and father of Kristen Makatche ’95 and Elizabeth Ramsey ’99 - May 28, 2017.
Connect and Network with Alumnae
Alumnae Association The Alumnae Association supports and advances the interests of Notre Dame by fostering a sense of community among its graduates, enhancing their connection to the Academy, and promoting their spiritual growth.
Alumnae Portal Notre Dame’s Alumnae Portal offers graduates a convenient way to locate, connect, and network with one another. Searchable by name, class year, city, state, education, and occupation, our private community database is accessible with a username and password.
Alumnae Newsletter Each month, graduates receive news from Notre Dame, along with events of interest to ND alumnae. LinkedIn Community Broaden your own professional and community network through ND’s LinkedIn Alumnae Networking Group.
Visit the Alumnae section of our website, ndapa.org/alumnae for more information.
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ADVANCEMENT NEWS
Fine Art Show Celebrates 45th Anniversary More than 300 guests attended a special reception and preview party marking the opening of the Academy’s 45th Annual Fine Art Show and Sale on Friday, January 26. Guests viewed the works of nearly 100 artists representing a variety of mediums. Featured artist Rachel Brown and presenting artists spoke with guests during the evening reception. The show was open to the public through February 4. The Academy thanks Art Show Co-Chairs Denick Herrin and Cathy Van Kula and the Art Show Committee members for all their efforts to make this event so successful.
BLAST Triumphs Despite Weather Mother Nature had other plans for the Academy’s scheduled annual fundraiser, BLAST, Under the Big Top. A campus-wide power outage forced cancellation of the March 3 event, but committee members were determined that the show must go on. With a new, April 19 date, the event moved to the Mansion for a lively evening of food, friends, and silent auctions. The Academy is grateful to BLAST Chair Collette Murphy P’22 and the BLAST committee for their creativity and enthusiasm to ensure the evening was a success.
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Annual President’s Club Reception Honors Donors On December 6, 2017, Dr. Judith A. Dwyer hosted a reception in the Mansion to thank donors who show their support for the Academy with leadership-level gifts. In her welcome, Dr. Dwyer recognized and thanked guests for their unwavering support for the mission of the Academy. While Notre Dame relies on gifts at all levels, leadership gifts are of particular importance to the Academy’s financial stability.
VISIONS SPRING 2018
Students Recognized at Honors Convocation Each year, all Catholic independent and Archdiocesan schools within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are invited to participate in the Academic Honors Convocation, honoring the scholars representing the top three percent of their graduating class. Seniors representing the Class of 2018 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul were Alexa Scavetti, Lucy Van Kula, and Farran Dougherty (in robes left to right). Maggie Quirk ’19 represented her class as the flag bearer. Congratulations. In a separate recognition, Lucy Van Kula received the Phi Beta Kappa Book Award, which is presented to a senior who embodies the Phi Beta Kappa ideals of academic achievement, character and a love of wisdom and learning as the guide of life.
Show your support for Notre Dame with a gift of any size by June 30, 2018. Give online at www.ndapa.org or Venmo us @AcademyofNotreDamedeNamur. Please contact Sally Orr, Associate Director of Advancement, sorr@ndapa.org.
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560 Sproul Road Villanova, PA 19085 610.687.0650
2018-2019 Calendar of Events Golf Classic Tuesday, September 25 Applebrook Golf Club
Admissions Open House Sunday, September 30 Notre Dame Campus
Entrance Exam for New Applicants Saturday , October 13 (HS) Sunday, October 21 (HS and MS) Notre Dame Campus
Experience ND Day Wednesday, October 24 Notre Dame Campus
46th Annual Fine Art Show and Sale Preview Party with Artists Friday, January 25 Art Sale Open to Public January 26 – February 3 The Mansion
Follow ND Online NDAVillanova NDVillanova ND1856 ndapa.smugmug.com
Statue of the Blessed Mother on campus taken by Ava Bowie '18