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With a New Strategic Vision and Academic Heritage, the Future is Bright for the
Academy of Notre Dame de Namur BY SUSAN I. SHIBER
Judith A. Dwyer, PhD, President of the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, is thrilled to return home. Her impressive career as a higher education executive and internationally recognized scholar, lecturer, and author carried her from Chestnut Hill roots to leading institutions throughout the United States and abroad. When the Academy’s Board of Trustees determined to appoint an individual with university experience and the ability to infuse Notre Dame with global influence, a vigorous national search was conducted. Dwyer, who more than exceeded these criteria, was committed to the values and mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame, making her the ideal choice. She realized at once it was a match.
In 2015, Judith A. Dwyer, PhD, President of the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, and the Academy’s Board of Trustees launched Our Time to Inspire, a strategic plan which will guide the Academy to 2020 and beyond. The plan builds on Notre Dame’s rich heritage to create an innovative, state-of-the-art learning environment that recognizes the unique potential of each student, encourages scholarship, instills self-confidence, and inspires leadership.
CHESTERCOUNTY-LIFE.COM / May/June 2016
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The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, an independent, Catholic college-preparatory school, commits itself to the education of young women of grades six through 12 for responsible living in a global society.
“I attended a high-quality all-girls school,” she fondly recalls. “The teachers were extraordinary, the environment built self-confidence, and we were encouraged to strive to be our very best. There was such a joy of learning that I knew by 10th grade I wanted to be a teacher. The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur attracted me because of the challenging academic curriculum, commitment to the Catholic mission, trust in its students, and celebration of God’s goodness. It is a privilege to lead this splendid school and have direct impact on so many future leaders.” This commitment to academic excellence has guided Notre Dame since 1856, the year Saint John Neumann invited the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to Philadelphia. The Sisters educated generations of urban boys and girls at the Rittenhouse Square location until 1944 when the Academy purchased Chester County Life / CHESTERCOUNTY-LIFE.COM
Statement of Mission the Geist estate in Villanova. Notre Dame continues to educate, empower, and inspire young women in grades six through 12 for a lifetime of compassionate service to others. Now, the vanguards of 21st century Notre Dame are the pioneers. In 2015, Dwyer and the Academy’s Board of Trustees launched Our Time to Inspire, a strategic plan which will guide the Academy to 2020 and beyond. The plan builds on Notre Dame’s rich heritage to create an innovative, state-of-the-art learning environment that recognizes the unique potential of each student, encourages scholarship, instills selfconfidence, and inspires leadership. A major component of the strategic plan is the establishment of a Center for Leadership and International Studies, designed to prepare students to succeed in a global society. “Our intent is to network throughout the world with high-quality girls’ schools in order to establish an international community,” says Dwyer. “We are in the process of developing key relationships with exceptional sister schools in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, and look forward to adding more in Latin America, Africa, and Europe.” In the summer of 2015, Dwyer embarked on an exploratory trip to Zhuhai Girls’ Middle School in Guangdong Province, China. A strong relationship formed as mutual ideals and interests, such as a tradition of
The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, an independent, Catholic college-preparatory school, commits itself to the education of young women of grades six 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 lifelong learning. • empower them to be honorable, compassionate leaders.
performing and fine arts, were discovered. “This is our first formal affiliation for joint learning with a school in Asia,” points out Dwyer. “Through these and other relationships, we will create cultural immersion opportunities, exchanges, and shared learning experiences that will prepare our students to be leaders in a global community.” Complementing global exploration are the Academy’s collaborative models of learning. Dwyer explains: “Notre Dame is placing great effort to demonstrate the intersections that occur within learning. In architecture, dance, physics, or mathematics, there are natural links students can explore to help them appreciate interconnectedness of learning. It forms a tapestry. Our schoolwide initiative, Project STREAM, is a prime example. The theme, Water Sustains All Life, is both profound and simple. Students
are analyzing water in depth through every discipline – geography, chemistry, religion, art, and more. These vibrant interconnections facilitate our students’ evolution into intelligent, thoughtful, and reflectively analytical young women. “The richness of our programs,” Dwyer adds, “is a direct outgrowth of the wonderful founding spirit of the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur. The Sisters were international thinkers. What we share with our students today is truly a tribute to them. It all taps back to their legacy and mission to promote justice and peace throughout the world. “Our plans for Notre Dame are bold,” continues Dwyer. “It is our vision that the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur will be recognized as the premier independent Catholic academy for young women in North CHESTERCOUNTY-LIFE.COM / May/June 2016
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The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, 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. Admissions Calendar 2016-2017 Wednesday, October 26 Experience ND Day for Parents (reservations required) Saturday, November 5 Ninth Grade Entrance and Scholarship Exam Sunday, November 6 Open House for all Grades Sunday, November 13 Ninth Grade Entrance and Scholarship Exam Saturday, January 28 Sixth Grade Entrance and Scholarship Exam Wednesday, March 8 Experience ND Day for Parents (reservations required) School district and private transportation is available.
America. We will achieve this goal through our emphasis on compassionate leadership, global citizenship, and academic excellence.� Notre Dame alumnae are leading and thriving in medicine, law, the arts, engineering, education, business, and sports. With a new strategic direction that builds on the Academy’s academic legacy, the future is bright for Notre Dame. CCL Academy of Notre Dame de Namur 560 Sproul Rd. Villanova, PA 19085 610.971.0498 NDAPA.org Chester County Life / CHESTERCOUNTY-LIFE.COM