First gender-inclusive class shapes Notre Dame’s future
$9M KNOTT
SCIENCE
RENOVATION
Go Beyond campaign supports student success
NOTRE DAME OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY
MISSION
Notre Dame of Maryland University educates leaders to transform the world.
Embracing the vision of the founders, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the University promotes the advancement of women and provides a liberal arts education in the Catholic tradition.
Notre Dame challenges women and men to strive for intellectual and professional excellence, to build inclusive communities, to engage in service to others, and to promote social responsibility.
“Your ongoing generosity remains critical to ensuring access to a transformational, Notre Dame education for all of our students.”
—Marylou Yam, President
Letter From President Yam
This past academic year was historic in many ways for Notre Dame of Maryland University! We welcomed our first gender-inclusive class of traditional undergraduate students. We enrolled the second highest number of new undergraduate students. We celebrated the $9 million renovation of the Knott Science and Innovation Center with local legislators and community members, as part of the historic $50 million Go Beyond campaign. We exceeded fundraising goals for the Go Beyond campaign ahead of schedule, breaking multiple fundraising records along the way. Moreover, we received numerous national and regional recognitions for academic excellence, social mobility, and best value education, including from U.S. News & World Report and Money.com. Truly, we have much to be grateful for!
This year’s Universitas tells the stories of the institutional and individual achievements that have made us all proud: from highlights of the students featured in Notre Dame’s episode of The College Tour national TV series on Amazon Prime; to the students and faculty who received statewide honors; to the full accreditations of our art therapy, education, and nursing programs; and to the women’s basketball team winning a conference championship. Go Gators!
I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you, our alumnae and alumni, parents, benefactors, friends, and community members. Our students succeed because of your investments in their future. Your ongoing generosity remains critical to ensuring access to a transformational, Notre Dame education for all of our students. Indeed, with your support, we look forward to another academic year of great success and transformation for our students and the entire Notre Dame community.
Gratefully,
Marylou Yam, Ph.D. President, Notre Dame of Maryland University
President
Marylou Yam, Ph.D.
Vice President for Institutional Advancement & University Communications
Carroll Galvin, Ph.D. D'23
Director of Alumni & Constituent Engagement
Erin DaSilva '02
Editors
Damita McDonald
Erik Pedersen
Graphic Designer
Robin Albert
Writers
Damita McDonald
Erik Pedersen
Amy Rosenkrans, Ph.D. '93, D'16
Photographers
Aaron Boutwell
Larry Canner
Craig Chase
Howard Korn
Erik Pedersen
Board of Trustees 2023–24
Chair: Patricia McLaughlin, SSND ‘66
Vice Chair: Cathryn Curia '69
Mary Noel Albers, SSND
Kelly Barth '97
Kathleen Beres '70
Christina Bolmarcich, Esq. '97
Lauren Cellucci
Mary D’Ascanio
Tom Galloway
Mary Kay Shartle Galotto ‘64
Herbert Hansen, Jr.
Heather Klink, Esq.
Charmaine Krohe, SSND '75
Debbie Liesen, SSND
George Martin
Thandee Maung '04
Dan Miscavige
Patricia Murphy, SSND '69
Anthony O’Brien
Amanda Rumsey-Ballard '10, D'16
Judith Schaum, SSND '65
Sherita Thomas
Vernon Wright
Trustee Associates 2023–24
Carroll Bodie
Denise Cortis
Donna Easton '70
Debra Keller-Greene '95
Marion I. Knott
Daniel Muhly
Mary Anne O'Donnell
Universitas is published by Notre Dame of Maryland University, Office of Institutional Advancement. 4701 North Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland 21210 410-532-5176
Frank Palmer
Lori Pollack '08
Mary Louise Preis
John Smyth
Christine G. Snyder '77
Kathleen D. Solomon
Diana M. Trout '97
The diverse views presented in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editor or the official policies of the University.
CONTENTS
CAMPUS NEWS
Notre Dame celebrates a major achievement in the historic $50 million Go Beyond campaign, President Marylou Yam's 10-year legacy, and record-breaking enrollment and fundraising.
HISTORIC GENDER-INCLUSIVE CLASS MAKES ITS MARK
After just one academic year, the Class of 2027 is contributing to the Notre Dame community in significant ways.
TRANSFORMATIONAL EDUCATION
Faculty and students are demonstrating academic excellence and finding success in their fields.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Another memorable Gator athletics season included a conference championship and major awards, and students help incarcerated women express themselves through art.
ALUMNI
Our alumni community celebrates the strength of our love for Notre Dame, and creates opportunities for a new generation of students.
ALUMNI LEADERS MAKING AN IMPACT
Notre Dame alumni are using their education to create positive change.
Check out the latest news from your fellow alumni.
THE FINAL WORD
Dr. Amy Rosenkrans '93, D'16 shares her experience of working with three Notre Dame students to uncover the stories of historic entrepreneurial women.
NOTRE DAME CELEBRATES $9M KNOTT SCIENCE AND INNOVATION CENTER RENOVATION
Historic $50M Go Beyond Campaign Exceeds Expectation in Advancing NDMU Mission
THE HISTORIC $50 MILLION GO BEYOND CAMPAIGN HAS BROUGHT
unprecedented levels of support to advance the mission at Notre Dame of Maryland University of educating leaders to transform the world. The celebration of a major campaign milestone took place in fall 2023 with the reopening of the newly renovated Knott Science and Innovation Center – the campus hub of transformational learning in STEM and healthcare. The renovation upgraded the instructional environment through the integration of technology, and it promotes student success with spaces to facilitate hands-on learning.
More than 100 NDMU community members, local and state elected officials, and supporters of the University came together for a ribbon cutting ceremony in recognition of this significant campaign achievement, which strengthens Notre Dame’s position as a leader in science and health education.
The $9 million renovation creates an enriching learning environment, which includes high-tech teaching and research labs, technology-enabled spaces to encourage collaboration, flexible classrooms for seminar or lecture classes, and a specialized data analytics lab.
President Marylou Yam, Pat McLaughlin, SSND '66, chair of the Board of Trustees, and Baltimore City Comptroller Bill Henry were among those to deliver remarks at the ribbon cutting. Baltimore City Councilman Mark Conway and Maryland State Delegate Regina Boyce, as well as members of Notre Dame's Board of Trustees, were also in attendance.
Chemistry Laboratory with Technology Enhancements
Data Analytics Lab
“Notre Dame is answering the call of the state of Maryland, which has challenged its colleges and universities to promote STEM education, and to support degree programs and initiatives to encourage the next generation of innovators,” said President Yam. “Notre Dame continues to play a leadership role in providing educational opportunities and degree programs to students from the city of Baltimore, the state of Maryland, and beyond to support pivotal workforce needs.”
NDMU’s STEM programs are part of an ecosystem of healthrelated programs – including nursing, pharmacy, art therapy, occupational therapy, and the newest addition, physician assistant studies – that create an atmosphere of interdisciplinary collaboration and learning. Together, those programs make Notre Dame a regional hub for graduating standout professionals in STEM and healthcare innovation.
The ability for students to work closely with faculty members has been a hallmark of a Notre Dame education throughout the University’s history, and the center’s renovations further enhance these collaboration opportunities.
“I had the opportunity to work on a research project with the help of my professor,” said biology major Nwanneka Udolisa ’25. “It was such a great experience and helped me realize I really like research. I really appreciate the updated labs and classrooms that will help me prepare for my grad school experience and my future career.”
“The renovated labs and classrooms inspire student learning,” added Dr. Jewel Daniel, assistant professor in the Biology Department. “We teach students the value of leading with integrity, and they take those lessons way beyond the classroom.”
Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory with Technology Integration
Student Lounge
Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame Exhibit Dedicated at Notre Dame
More than 20 women leaders came together in November 2023 to celebrate the opening of the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame exhibit in its new home in Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Knott Science and Innovation Center. President Marylou Yam led a ceremonial ribbon cutting with Judith Vaughan-Prather, executive director of the Maryland Commission for Women, and Diana Bailey, executive director of the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center, joining members of the women’s commission and the heritage center’s board of directors.
Located just off the lobby of the Knott Science and Innovation Center, the one-of-a-kind exhibit showcases plaques
representing the more than 200 inductees to the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame including NDMU's own Sister Kathleen Feeley, Ph.D. '50, president emerita, and Sister Charmaine Krohe '75, Board of Trustees member. Every March during Women's History Month, the Maryland Commission for Women honors the newest inductees at a special ceremony.
“The Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame exhibit has transformed this lobby into a place of inspiration and promise for our students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the public, who pass through these doors,” said President Yam. “The women featured here encourage us all to dream big, use our gifts and talents in service to others, and lead fearlessly.”
A DECADE OF INNOVATION & IMPACT
President Marylou Yam's Legacy from 2014 – 2024
A Vision for Tomorrow
In July 2014, Dr. Marylou Yam began her tenure as the 14th president of Notre Dame of Maryland University. She laid out a clear vision to build on the University’s legacy of excellence, and she forged a path to distinguish Notre Dame as one of the nation’s premier institutions of higher education. A strategic leader in a line of Notre Dame’s mission-driven presidents, President Yam has brought Notre Dame to new heights to advance transformational education, grow enrollment, and expand innovation.
Consistent with the Going Beyond: Vision 2025 strategic plan, Notre Dame has achieved historic fundraising and endowment totals, record new student enrollment, increased fiscal growth, innovative partnerships and academic programs, and increased visibility in Baltimore and beyond. President Yam’s student-centered approach has accelerated institutional growth over the last decade. Her leadership success is cemented in the thoughtful analysis of environmental and workforce trends that will play a role in what lies ahead over the next decade for Notre Dame.
Over the last decade, President Yam has provided strategic direction to expand the University’s degree offerings, invest in faculty and student research, and support student success initiatives.
ĩ More than 10 bachelor’s and graduate degree programs added since 2014, including Maryland's first bachelor's and master's degree programs in art therapy
ĩ $3 million raised for the new Dr. Mary Kay Shartle Galotto ’64 Endowed Chair in the Biological Sciences
ĩ $2.1 million, five-year U.S. Department of Education grant awarded to enhance student success and retention
Driving Enrollment, Fiscal & Endowment Growth
President Yam’s strategic direction over the last decade has provided a solid foundation for sustained growth in Notre Dame’s enrollment, philanthropy, and financial position over the long term.
ĩ Led the effort to acquire and merge integrative health programs into Notre Dame from the Maryland University of Integrative Health
ĩ Broke records for new undergraduate enrollment in 2023, 2018, and 2017, including the historic gender-inclusive class
ĩ Achieved historic annual fundraising totals in 2022 and 2021, plus historic endowment levels
ĩ Expanded the campus land envelope by acquiring the Homeland Avenue property
Amplifying Impact
With impactful partnerships, numerous global and national recognitions, and the successful launch and expansion of “The Best You” brand, Notre Dame is a recognized leader for inclusive transformational education in Baltimore and beyond – a key priority in President Yam’s strategic vision.
ĩ First Maryland college or university to achieve non-governmental status (NGO) with the United Nations
ĩ Annual Best Colleges recognition in U.S. News & World Report
ĩ Leadership in promoting the advancement of women, highlighted by winning The Daily Record's inaugural Empowering Women award
ĩ Established the Women's Leadership Institute of Baltimore (WLIB)
Service is Part of Our DNA
Investing in NDMU’s Future
President Yam has made campus facility and technology enhancements a major priority over the last decade, contributing to a culture of innovation and excellence.
ĩ Doyle Dining Hall renovation in 2015
ĩ $6.5 million Caroline Hall renovation in 2017
ĩ Refurbished LeClerc Auditorium, renaming it LeClerc Theatre, in 2022
ĩ $9 million Knott Science and Innovation Center renovation in 2023
Embracing the mission to engage in service to others and promote social responsibility, Notre Dame students have continued to demonstrate a devotion to community outreach modeled by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
ĩ School of Pharmacy faculty and students fully vaccinated more than 4,000 people at two campus mass vaccination clinics during the COVID pandemic, in partnership with Safeway Pharmacy.
ĩ York Road Education and Service (YES) Program launched in 2018 as the University’s signature community engagement initiative.
HISTORIC GENDERINCLUSIVE CLASS MAKES ITS MARK
USHERING IN A NEW ERA, THE FALL 2023 SEMESTER BROUGHT
historic changes to Notre Dame of Maryland University. Staying true to its mission to provide an inclusive transformational education, Notre Dame welcomed its first gender-inclusive class into the traditional undergraduate program. Close to 50 new male undergraduate students began their academic journey at Notre Dame for the first time in the University’s history.
New athletics teams and student organizations came with the University’s second-largest class of new undergraduate students. Overall, there has been a 27% increase in undergraduate enrollment, and new student enrollment has more than doubled. Nearly 20 new traditional undergraduates have a relative who graduated from Notre Dame. The Class of 2027 hailed from 13 countries and 16 states – about 70 percent were from Maryland. Even with the historic changes of the 2023-24 academic year, Notre Dame has remained a place where students can learn the skills, knowledge, and wisdom to become leaders to transform the world.
“We are excited to celebrate our historic gender-inclusive class of first-year students and look forward to the ways that the Class of 2027 will enrich our campus community,” said Notre Dame President Marylou Yam. “At NDMU, we pride ourselves in providing students with an inclusive transformational education that helps them to become their best selves. This class will continue to make their mark on the University for years to come.”
CLASS OF 2027
#2 LARGEST CLASS OF NEW UNDERGRADUATES
27% INCREASE IN UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT
19 LEGACY STUDENTS
13 COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
16 STATES REPRESENTED
70% FROM MARYLAND
Many Firsts Define the Class
The Class of 2027 will forever be known for the many firsts that define their class. The University’s first gender-inclusive traditional undergraduate class included the introduction of the University’s inaugural male athletics teams in its NCAA Division III athletics program – the men’s soccer team in fall 2023 and the men’s basketball team in the winter 2024 season.
Gator fans were delighted to cheer on both teams as they competed in the United East Conference for the first time. The student-athletes quickly developed a bond with the campus community, as the stands were filled with students supporting their classmates at athletic events all year long.
The gender-inclusive undergraduate class also provided an opportunity for a male student to be elected as one of the student leaders for the 2023-24 Student Government Association. Having the University’s second-largest class of new undergraduate students also meant that students participated in campus activities in higher numbers. Students started a number of new organizations aimed at enhancing a sense of belonging.
The bonds that unite the members of the Class of 2027 are rooted in the historic nature of their class. They came to Notre Dame to pursue the dreams of higher education and found community that will impact the rest of their lives.
Class of 2027 Legacy Student and Her Mother Bond Through Notre Dame Experience
Maureen Ritcey DeGrange ‘99 has returned to Notre Dame several times since her graduation. Her trips back to campus in fall 2023, however, were extra special, as she spent time with her daughter during her first semester at NDMU.
Kathryn DeGrange ’27 is one of 19 students in the Class of 2027 with a family member who had previously attended Notre Dame, including four male students. Kathryn is enrolled in the School of Nursing’s Entry-Level BSN program, aiming to join her mother in the nursing profession, and she is also following in her mother’s footsteps as a multi-sport athlete.
“I had always told my children that they needed to at least apply to Notre Dame when they began their college search,” Maureen said. “I really loved my time here. As a small school, it gave me a personalized education with professors and mentors who really cared about my future, and it also gave me lifelong friendships with people who I still see regularly.”
Kathryn is a member of the basketball and soccer programs at Notre Dame, while Maureen played on basketball, tennis and volleyball teams, which all won multiple championships in the former Atlantic Women’s Colleges Conference. Watching Kathryn’s soccer games in the fall gave Maureen several opportunities to visit Notre Dame and relive her time on campus.
Attending Alumnae & Alumni Weekend in September 2023, though, is when she began to realize how much being a legacy parent meant to her. Kathryn and a few of her teammates were able to attend the crab feast under the tent on Doyle Lawn.
“Everything sort of clicked for me that night,” Maureen said. “To have Kathryn there along with my friends from college, and knowing that Notre Dame creates a forever community that she’s now going to be a part of, it was a really special moment. It’s great knowing that we will be able to continue sharing these experiences together.”
Student Voices Tell the Story
The Class of 2027 is already contributing to the Notre Dame community, forever leaving their mark as pioneers. In the spring 2024 semester, Notre Dame was featured in an episode of The College Tour, an award-winning national TV series on Amazon Prime that tells the stories of colleges and universities from the lens of their students. Here are four students from our College Tour episode sharing their perspective on Notre Dame’s first gender-inclusive year:
LEANNA BLACKMAN ’27 ANDREW SUBIDA ’27
“During my college search, affordability and a thriving social and academic environment were my top priorities. NDMU exceeds these criteria, providing exceptional financial aid through its merit-based Presidential Scholarship, and ensuring a tailor-made education through a student-to-faculty ratio that fosters meaningful connections with professors. I quickly discovered a rich sense of belonging. I became Chair of the Honor Board and served as a Student Representative on the Board of Trustees, amplifying student voices through the use of my own, while also co-founding the Asian Student Union to promote better representation of the Asian population within our school. I was eager to pursue additional research in college, and NDMU offers students many opportunities.
When I began my college search, I prioritized finding a tight-knit community where I could form meaningful connections. As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I was immediately welcomed by faculty and students who were eager to make me feel at home. They genuinely showed interest in getting to know me and made sure I had all the support I needed to navigate my college journey. Through various clubs, organizations and events, I was able to connect with people who pushed me to become the best version of myself. I have been able to engage with students from various backgrounds and perspectives - the sense of belonging and inclusivity at NDMU is unparalleled. Each day, I'm more proud to call NDMU my home away from home.
Scan here to view the full College Tour episode.
NDM.EDU/THECOLLEGETOUR
“NISTTHA RAY ’26
“JEFFERSON DA SILVA ’27
I came to Notre Dame of Maryland University because I was given an opportunity to study biology and biological sciences while also competing in college sports. Since NDMU went gender-inclusive, I wanted to take a chance on the school, experience college in a different country, and continue to pursue my academic and soccer career. NDMU offers many different programs for students all over the world to study. I have been fortunate enough to play on the first-ever men's soccer team here at NDMU, and I have enjoyed every second of it. I have met many friends from different cultures around the world, and these connections have made me grow not only as an athlete, but as a person.
“As a kid I'd always dreamed of being a doctor, but I didn't want to stop there. I forever envisioned myself as a leader in healthcare and taking the initiative to advocate for any issues I see. I like to familiarize myself with my peers, educators, and faculty, and NDMU is the perfect institution for this. As a Bonner Leader, student engagement coordinator, SAGE representative and member of the SGA, it's fair to say that I am out and about on campus for most of the day. Hosting campus-wide events, volunteering with staff for other NDMU events and traditions, and connecting staff with students are all ways that I have met new people and gotten involved with the NDMU community.
ART MAJOR SELECTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS INTERNSHIP AT BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART
An NDMU art student was selected for a highly-competitive internship at the largest art museum in Maryland. Jensen Armstrong ’24 served as an intern for the American Painting and Sculpture department at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) during the 2022 fall semester. The position included extensive research opportunities to support a planned future reinstallation of American Art galleries at the BMA.
An art major specializing in art history, Armstrong was also vice president of NDMU’s Morrissy Honors Program and a student worker in the archives at the Loyola Notre Dame Library during her junior year. Armstrong credits her experience in both of those roles, along with her work as an assistant for the Art Department’s
Damozel Earns Two National Awards for Excellence
Gormley and Civera Galleries, with helping her obtain the BMA internship as an undergraduate.
“I absolutely adore the Art Department faculty,” Armstrong said.
“I have such close connections with them, and that’s given me the confidence to move out of my comfort zone in the classroom. The ability to work so closely with all of my professors is one of the main reasons I decided to attend Notre Dame. That personal experience is something you can’t get at other schools, and I think it helps students thrive in their learning here.”
Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan Visits Art Therapy Thesis Event
Maryland’s first lady Yumi Hogan visited NDMU in August 2022 to salute nine master’s in art therapy degree candidates presenting their thesis projects in the state’s only graduate program preparing students to become professional art therapists.
At the Thesis Colloquium Graduate Art Therapy Program, Hogan offered
The 2021-22 issue of Damozel , a creative literary magazine produced annually by the English Department, received national recognition from Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society, and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).
Damozel was selected as the third-place winner for Sigma Tau Delta’s Outstanding Literary Arts Journal Award, and it achieved an Excellent distinction through the NCTE’s Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines contest. The issue was produced by senior literary editors Lindsey Pytrykow '22 and Rochelle Thompson '22; editors April Boss '24, Maia Giafes '22, Eden Lewis '22, and Cassandra Thompson '25; alumna editor and advisor, Micah Castelo '18; and faculty sponsor Dr. Jeana DelRosso. It contained 30 submissions created by a group of 14 NDMU community members.
“I am immensely proud of the student editors, who put so much time and effort into producing our literary magazine,” said Dr. DelRosso. “These awards speaks to the high quality of the writing of Notre Dame students.”
words of encouragement and praise for the third cohort to complete the program, recalling her first visit to the campus when the Master of Arts in art therapy program launched in 2018. NDMU’s program requires 1,000 hours of clinical instruction and a thesis project integrating research and field experiences.
Maryland’s Only Art Therapy Master’s Program Earns National Accreditation
NDMU’s Master of Arts in Art Therapy program was awarded initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), completing another significant milestone for the only master's program in Maryland that prepares graduates to become professional art therapists.
The CAAHEP accreditation process is designed to ensure that art therapy programs meet the rigorous standards required to position students for success after graduation. Initial CAAHEP accreditation is valid for a period of eight years.
NDMU’S SCHOOL OF EDUCATION RECEIVES FULL 7-YEAR PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
NDMU’s School of Education received full seven-year accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), recognizing its continuing excellence in preparing educators to reach their highest potential in the profession.
CAEP, recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, is a unified accreditation system intent on raising the performance of all institutions
focused on educator preparation. Accreditation is a nongovernmental activity based on peer review that serves the dual functions of assuring quality and promoting improvement.
“One of the most meaningful aspects of the CAEP accreditation process is the opportunity to come together as a school to engage in reflection and self-study while we celebrate areas of excellence and identify opportunities for
NDMU Student Leader
Selected for Transform Mid-Atlantic Civic Fellowship
Anna Choudhary ’25 was one of 16 student leaders from across the region selected for the prestigious 2023-24 Transform Mid-Atlantic Civic Fellowship. The year-long fellowship is designed to develop student leaders who are engaged global citizens.
An Elizabeth Morrissy Honors Program student and a two-sport athlete, Choudhary also serves as a Bonner Student Leader, volunteering as a studentteacher assistant in an eighth-grade social studies classroom at Tunbridge Public Charter School. Choudhary is enrolled in the School of Education’s 5-year Program, which will allow her to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree during that time period as she works towards becoming a high school history teacher.
“I’m really excited, because this fellowship fits perfectly with what I am hoping to accomplish,” Choudhary said. “It’s all about civic and community engagement, and becoming a leader in our world, and those are skills that I’m going to need if I want to accomplish my long-term goals.”
School of Education Plays Leading Role to Address Teacher Shortage
The awarding of four state grants has helped NDMU continue to play a major role in developing Maryland’s next generation of educators. Grant money provided by the Maryland Leads Initiative allowed the School of Education to offer free tuition and additional funding to prospective teachers from Anne Arundel, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s County Public Schools.
Other recent initiatives include NDMU Rebuilds, which delivers professional development and a path to certification for early childhood educators following a grant of over $932,000, and NDMU Elevates, a grant of over $249,000 which provides a pathway for paraprofessionals to earn a bachelor’s degree and special education certification through a unique degree apprenticeship program at two local schools.
The School of Education is also providing opportunities for Baltimore County high school students from diverse backgrounds to enroll in college and join the teaching profession through its new Educator Preparation Pathway to Increase College Completion initiative, made possible by a $140,000 grant.
improvement that will make the School of Education stronger, more effective, and more able to meet the increasing needs of changing educator and student populations,” said Dr. Kathryn Doherty, dean of NDMU’s School of Education. “By aligning ourselves with national standards and benchmarks, we can best achieve the school and University mission to serve our communities and transform lives through education.”
Education Professor Earns Statewide Award for Teaching Excellence
Dr. Ryan Schaaf, an associate professor of educational technology at NDMU, was selected as the inaugural Outstanding HigherEd Award winner by the Maryland Society for Educational Technology in recognition of his efforts promoting the effective use of technology in the classroom.
Dr. Schaaf serves as chair of the Information and Education Technology Committee at NDMU, and he oversees the Master of Arts Leadership in Teaching program specializing in Digital Technology Leadership.
“It was an honor to simply be nominated for the award, and to find out that I was the winner was both surprising and exciting,” Dr. Schaaf said. “We had a great group of finalists from across the state.”
ANNA CHOUDHARY ’25
NDMU’S SCHOOL OF NURSING RECEIVES FULL 10-YEAR PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
NDMU’s baccalaureate and master’s degree in nursing programs received full accreditation through 2032 by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), recognizing their excellence in preparing nurses for the profession.
Full program accreditation indicates the School of Nursing meets the standards for nursing education through a peer-review process to enhance quality improvement. The baccalaureate degree and the master’s degree programs received initial accreditation with the CCNE in 2017.
“The School of Nursing has a long history of delivering high quality
undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students to grow as competent, compassionate, and caring nursing professionals,” said Dr. Kathleen Wisser, dean of the School of Nursing. “This accreditation from the CCNE reaffirms the strength of our curriculum based on caring science, as well as our expert faculty.”
NDMU’s nursing programs are among the nation’s best. U.S. News & World Report recognized the University’s undergraduate nursing program as one of the top undergraduate nursing programs in the country in both the 2022 and 2023 Best Colleges rankings.
NDMU’s New Master’s Offerings Set to Meet Rising National Demand for Nurse Practitioners
NDMU launched new Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner master’s programs during the fall 2022 semester, positioning the School of Nursing to help meet a growing demand for nurse practitioners across the United States. The U.S. Department of Labor projects overall employment for nurse practitioners to grow by 52 percent from 2020 to 2030, a figure which leads all healthcare professions and ranks fourth overall out of 790 occupations examined.
Nurse practitioners have the ability to manage care for individuals of all ages in primary care settings, helping to fill voids left by a shortage of physicians practicing in that capacity. As a master’s level program, rather than a doctorate of nursing path taken by some future nurse practitioners, NDMU students have the ability to complete their degree at a faster pace while still receiving the full educational experiences required to become certified in the field.
“We’re excited to bring in students that want to improve their reach in the healthcare system and improve their own livelihood in a sustainable way,” said Dr. Rachael Crowe, assistant professor and director of graduate programs in the School of Nursing. “We’re hoping that our graduates will be able to give back to the greater Baltimore community. There are a lot of people in the Baltimore area who are in desperate need of healthcare, and our goal is to directly impact the lives of Baltimoreans."
Nursing Student Awarded Leading Women Scholarship
Michaela Cousins ’23 was awarded The Daily Record’s 2022 Leading Women Scholarship in recognition of her academic excellence, her community leadership, and her commitment to inspiring change in healthcare.
A first-generation college student, Cousins worked as both a home health aide and a patient care technician in a specialized gerontology unit at Anne Arundel Medical Center while completing NDMU’s Bachelor of Science in nursing program. Since her senior year of high school, she has worked as a certified nursing assistant and geriatric nursing assistant, with a focus on older adults.
COUSINS ’23
“I believe that Michaela is the epitome of what it means to be a caring and compassionate nurse who advocates for individuals’ overall well-being,” said Dr. Kathleen Wisser, dean of the NDMU School of Nursing. “Michaela is a shining example of the type of students we seek to graduate: students who create authentic relationships while providing competent and compassionate care.”
MICHAELA
HOME AWAY FROM HOME: PUERTO RICAN STUDENTS EXCELLING IN NDMU’S SCHOOL OF
PHARMACY
There are approximately 1,500 miles between Puerto Rico and NDMU’s campus. Despite that distance, however, Puerto Ricans currently make up 15 to 20 percent of the current student population in NDMU’s School of Pharmacy, as personalized outreach from faculty and staff helped form a connection with the small Caribbean island which continues to grow stronger by the year.
Once they arrive in Baltimore, Puerto Ricans have excelled in their studies, with many serving in leadership positions for a variety of student organizations to help set themselves up for success after graduation.
Moving to the United States was a big leap for Marielie Carrasquillo Rivera D’24, who only had to drive 10 minutes from home to the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras while earning
Pharmacy Grads Return to NDMU As Faculty Members
her bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Attending Notre Dame took Carrasquillo Rivera out of her comfort zone in more ways than one, as she was also determined to become more involved as a leader in pharmacy school. By her third year at NDMU, she was president of NDMU’s chapter of the National Community Pharmacists Association, vice president of Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Society and the secretary for Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society at Notre Dame.
“When we arrived here, even before orientation the Puerto Rican students in my class had a group chat set up,” Carrasquillo Rivera said. “We support each other constantly, and that motivates the whole group to do well. The shared bond that we have is something special, it’s made pharmacy school seem less daunting.”
Demonstrating love for their alma mater, some School of Pharmacy faculty are alumni who have returned to campus to help educate the next generation of future leaders in the profession.
Dr. Alyssia Dyett D’18 and Dr. Ahmed Eid D’15 work as assistant professors in the Department of Clinical and Administrative Sciences. During their time as students, each benefited from the close-knit community environment at NDMU which allowed them to form lasting connections with faculty members, and they now have the opportunity to make that same kind of impact on others.
“I received so much knowledge, mentorship and guidance from faculty members here,” Dr. Eid said. “They helped me become not just a better student, but a better person as well. I had always wanted to work in academia, and when I learned that the program was hiring, I thought it was a great way to give back to others some of what I had learned.”
“Looking back at my time in pharmacy school, those were some of the best years of my life,” Dr. Dyett added. “I decided during my third year that I wanted to come back here to teach. I had a few jobs between finishing my residency and returning, but everything I did during that time was focused coming back to Notre Dame.”
Student Success Champion Named 2023 Mullan Distinguished Teacher
A pharmacy professor focused on ensuring student success was named the 2023-24 Mullan Distinguished Teacher, NDMU’s highest faculty honor.
Dr. James Culhane joined NDMU as a professor and founding chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2008, when the School of Pharmacy was first established. In 2019, he was appointed as assistant dean of student academic success programs. Dr. Culhane developed and coordinates RxReady, which helps smooth students’ transition into the Doctor of Pharmacy program and includes academic coaching, peer tutoring, and intensive workshops designed to prepare students for success.
In addition to his work at Notre Dame, Dr. Culhane is an active member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, and he has served as a volunteer with the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education since 2012, participating in site visits as part of an accreditation team at colleges and universities around the nation.
GO GATORS
CONFERENCE CHAMPS!
Women’s Basketball Earns NCAA Tournament Berth
NDMU women’s basketball advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament following a dominant 83-57 victory over Clarks Summit in the 2023 Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) championship game.
That win inside a packed MBK Sports Complex highlighted a historic year for the program, which finished the year with a record of 23-5 (17-1 CSAC) while setting team records for both overall and conference victories. Alexis Durham ’25 and Kori People ’24 were both named first team All-CSAC, Daija Fitchett ’22, M’23 became the eighth player in school history to score 1,000 career points, and Kalin Wynn was honored as the conference’s Coach of the Year after leading NDMU to a CSAC women’s basketball title.
volleyball advanced to the CSAC title game for a fourth-consecutive season after outlasting Cairn in a five-set thriller inside MBK during the semifinal round. Six studentathletes earned All-CSAC recognition for the Gators (17-8, 8-1 CSAC), including first team accolades for Ciarra Bockstie ’25.
Women’s lacrosse advanced to the conference tournament for a fourthstraight campaign, falling to eventual CSAC champions Bryn Athyn in the semifinals. Sarah Generoso ’25, Averee Radonovich ’24 and Jade Stewart ’25 were all named first team All-CSAC at the conclusion of the season.
Softball set a new program record with 14 victories. Jessie Leatherwood ’23 earned first team All-CSAC honors, while four additional Gators earned second team
NDMU’s women’s tennis program ended the spring with a 4-4 record, including a pair of CSAC wins over Clarks Summit and Saint Elizabeth. Tam Truong ’25 was named to the All-CSAC second team.
GATORS GO!
STUDENTS HELP INCARCERATED WOMEN FIND THEIR ARTISTIC VOICE
Gormley Gallery Showcases Artwork
In Public Exhibition
“Life on Hold,” an exhibition featuring the artwork of women incarcerated at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women, brought dozens of visitors to the Gormley Gallery in spring 2023. Students, faculty, and staff, led by guest curator Casey McKeel, facilitated a series of art workshops with the women using art supplies donated by the Notre Dame community. The result was a public exhibition featuring 25 collages, nine paintings, and nine audio recordings. The exhibition brought to light the lived experience of incarcerated
NDMU Drama Performs in Refreshed LeClerc Theatre
women – the fastest growing segment of the prison population nationwide.
Zoe Kumpf ’25, one of the student volunteers, discovered an even deeper love for her art therapy major after volunteering in one of the workshops. “One thing that really stuck with me about the women who chose to participate in the workshop was their eagerness and gratitude toward creating something. Seeing the transformative nature of creating renewed my personal ambition to share the power of the arts with my community,” she said.
NDMU Drama presented a fully staged production of Washington Irving’s classic tale, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” in spring 2023 after a recent revitalization of the newly renamed LeClerc Theatre – the renovation featured all new seating and carpeting. The University’s investment in LeClerc Theatre enhances NDMU Drama’s ability to stage large-scale performances, led by a professional director, in the well-appointed 600-seat venue. Students, alumni, staff, and faculty alike perform in NDMU Drama productions, enriching the campus life experience.
Jaylien Washington ’25, another art therapy major who volunteered in the workshops, was grateful for her experience. “By committing to something new, challenging, and unfamiliar, I gained greater knowledge about the importance of creating a safe space for a diverse population,” she said. “I was also inspired by the women for finding the strength within themselves to take a potentially dire situation and create something beautiful that was full of life and vitality.”
STAYING CONNECTED AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Whenever Notre Dame alumni get together, there is a special connection that affirms a common bond. In true Notre Dame fashion, alumni united to show pride in their alma mater by cheering on new students on Move-in Day, hosting student leaders for Dinner with Gators, and forming new relationships with alumni at social events. The Alumni Engagement Office launched several new ways for alumni to engage with students throughout the year, and the Student Alumni Leadership Council is cultivating the next generation of leaders by getting current students engaged in planning alumni and student engagement activities.
The Class Leaders program is creating new opportunities for alumni to engage with each other and receive the latest announcements and news related to their classmates and Notre Dame. You can stay connected with all of the activities of the Alumni Engagement Office by visiting ndm.edu/alums
ENDOWED FUND SPOTLIGHT:
Josephine Trueschler ’49 Legacy Teacher Endowment Fund
After the June 2022 passing of beloved Notre Dame faculty and alumna Josephine "Jo" Trueschler ’49, her family and friends rallied to celebrate her 39-year teaching career with gifts to support her alma mater. Her niece, Jo Trueschler '78, sought to harness the generosity of so many individuals and create an endowed fund – a lasting tribute investing in the future of Notre Dame students.
“My aunt was such an impactful educator and dedicated friend of Notre Dame that it only seems fitting that an endowed fund would continue her legacy of helping students to reach their full potential,” said Trueschler.
The Josephine Trueschler ’49 Legacy Teacher Endowment Fund will create opportunities for Notre Dame faculty and students to immerse themselves in meaningful scholarship. One of dozens of University endowed funds, it is meant to inspire the next generation of students with a transformational gift to deepen their learning outside the classroom.
If you are interested in learning more about the Josephine Trueschler ’49 Legacy Teacher Endowment or are interested in creating an endowed fund at Notre Dame, contact Alden Reith at areith@ndm.edu and 410-532-5180.
ALUMNAE & ALUMNI WEEKEND 2023
Reconnecting with our fellow alumni on campus rekindles the love we have for our alma mater and the years we spent learning, growing, and making lifelong friendships. When we get together, we remember all of the reasons why we are grateful for our Notre Dame experience.
Alumnae & Alumni Weekend 2023 brought more than 200 alumni and friends to campus to enjoy an opportunity for conversation and celebration, as well as a time to hear about what is happening at Notre Dame. The weekend of festivities reminds us that our bonds have grown stronger through the years, as we continue to hold our beloved friendships and alma mater close to our hearts.
2023 ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS
We celebrated outstanding alumni whose achievements inspire us all to be our best selves and transform the world.
ALUMNAE & ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT AWARD
FRANCES FLANNERY GUNSHOL ’88, M’94
GIVING COMPETITION WINNERS
HIGHEST CLASS PARTICIPATION Class of 1973
HIGHEST CLASS ATTENDANCE Class of 1973
HIGHEST CLASS GIFT TOTAL Class of 1973
REGINA RUSSO HAMMEL '41 OUTSTANDING RECENT GRADUATE AWARD
SERVICE TO SOCIETY AWARD
THE ELIZABETH P. HOISINGTON '40 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARD
ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
NEPHTHALEE E. TEFERA D’13
MICAH CASTELO ’18
AMY ROSENKRANS ’93, D’16
EMILY JORDAN GLOVER ’16, M’17
ZARIA COMER ’18, D’22
KATHLEEN FEELEY, SSND ’50
MAKING AN IMPACT Alumni Leaders
A Notre Dame education equips students with the knowledge, skills and values to help transform the world. After graduation, Notre Dame alumni are positioned for success in a wide variety of professions. Learn more about four standout alumni who are excelling in service, leadership, and education.
PASSION FOR SERVICE LEADS TO GLOBAL IMPACT
Shannon Berry Bachmann ’13 has always had a passion for service. Her volunteer work dates back to middle school, and attending NDMU on a service scholarship gave her additional opportunities to give back to surrounding areas. Since moving to Switzerland in 2017, Bachmann now serves as a board member for Extending Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing long-term, sustainable growth opportunities to communities in the southeast African nation of Malawi.
Since she joined Extending Hope, she has contributed to the creation and significant expansion of a primary school in Malawi’s second-largest city, Blantyre, helped develop a variety of workshops for local residents to increase their potential for career growth, and organized mission trips for students and professionals to travel to Malawi and provide on-theground assistance.
“Extending Hope is a grassroots nonprofit organization in Switzerland,” Bachmann said. “It started with two founders – Nadja and Decent Levson – and they have been able to grow Extending Hope enormously on the ground in Malawi over the last 11 years. I do focus work in Switzerland, raising awareness about our projects, creating newsletters, and serving as administrator for our social media accounts.”
The primary school, which began with 20 students, has seen enrollment grow to 250 following the completed construction of two new buildings. The
expansion allowed the school to expand the number of grade level offerings as its initial students progressed in their education.
“The idea behind these projects is that all of them will be sustainable on their own without the need for additional funding from donors,” Bachmann said. “Our schools do not receive additional funding. They can now run solely on tuition fees, which are affordable and targeted to the lower middle class. At the same time, Extending Hope offers teacher training and programs to various schools to strengthen the local teaching methods. The only time that we ask supporters to donate additional money to those projects is for expansion and infrastructure.
“I think one of the top things to be proud of is that we’re able to implement projects that fit the community,” she continued. “They’re affordable for the community, and they’re able to run them on their own. We use all local team members. We’re not bringing in people from around the world to staff these positions – we train the staff to be able to take this on for themselves and create their own careers.”
LEADERSHIP JOURNEY FUELS CAREER SUCCESS
Dr. Nephthalee Edmond Tefera D’13 took a leap of faith when she enrolled as a student in the inaugural Class of 2013 for Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Pharm.D. program.
That decision would pay off. Dr. Tefera now serves as MedStar Montgomery Medical Center’s director of pharmacy, earning a promotion to that leadership position in August 2023 after nearly five years in a role as the hospital’s pharmacy operations supervisor. She is also a current board member of the Maryland Society of Health-System Pharmacy, and she serves as a preceptor for several schools in the area, including NDMU.
Dr. Tefera knew early on in her life that she wanted to become a leader in whichever profession she chose.
EXCELLENT TEACHER EARNS STATEWIDE HONOR
Every year for 19 years, Devin Page M’02 had involved his middle school social studies students in Maryland History Day projects. In 2022, Page was selected as the 2022 Maryland History Day Middle School Teacher of the Year in recognition of his work supporting students throughout a year-long research competition.
Page, who previously earned a master’s degree from Notre Dame in elementary education and teaching, is now enrolled in NDMU’s Instructional Leadership for Changing Populations doctorate program. He spent 19 years teaching social studies at Northern Middle School in Calvert County. In fall 2022, he transitioned into a new role as a technology integration specialist for Calvert County Public Schools.
“I was flattered just to win the Calvert County Teacher of the Year award,” Page said. “To then go on and receive the state honor
“I think a lot about the common themes that have always come up in my life: service, collaboration, safe space for people, and conflict resolution,” she said. “Those things were further nurtured and cultivated in pharmacy school, but I had some of them beforehand. Notre Dame helped complement those skills, so I was prepared for the journey ahead.”
Dr. Tefera credits Notre Dame’s emphasis on leadership and professionalism with assisting in her upward career trajectory. As a student, she served as public relations liaison for NDMU’s American Pharmacists Association student chapter, she was an editor for the School of Pharmacy’s newsletter committee, she worked as a student ambassador, and she was a member of the Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Society.
“Notre Dame focused greatly on professionalism and compassion in service, which undergirded my leadership journey,” Dr. Tefera said. “Leadership development, professionalism, and community outreach come to mind when I think about my experience at Notre Dame.”
was completely unexpected, because there are so many phenomenal history teachers in Maryland. It was really humbling.”
Maryland History Day is a contest organized by Maryland Humanities in which thousands of students across the state create original documentaries, exhibits, performances, research papers or websites exploring a breadth of historical topics within an annual theme. The students progress through competitions at the school, district, state and national levels.
“One of the strengths of the National History Day program is its emphasis on quality writing, authentic and in-depth research, and finding a unique and fresh angle on any given history topic,” Page said. “It’s almost like a miniature dissertation for middle schoolers.”
With the state award, Page became eligible for National History Day Teacher of the Year consideration, and he was recognized as a top six finalist for that honor.
Nearly 20 years after receiving his master’s, Page returned to Notre Dame to begin his doctorate classes. Several of his colleagues at Calvert County Public Schools, including current assistant superintendent Dr. Susan Johnson D’12 and former Calvert County and Montgomery County superintendent Dr. Jack
Smith D’09, helped motivate Page to continue his education after speaking of their own positive experiences with the Instructional Leadership program.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for the people who received their degrees from Notre Dame,” he said. “I also really valued my own previous experience getting my master’s. I wanted a program with some name recognition that commanded respect, and Notre Dame does that.
“The Masters and Ph.D. programs require that students produce high-quality writing, first of a master’s level and then doctoral-level caliber,” he continued. “And NDMU provides us the instructional and coaching support to meet their academic standards.”
RETURNING TO ALMA MATER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Less than a year after graduation, Kristina Pickering ’22 returned to her alma mater in January 2023 through Transform MidAtlantic’s AmeriCorps VISTA Program to begin a one-year stint as coordinator of NDMU’s York Road Education & Service (YES) program. Starting in the 2018-19 academic year, the YES program served as primarily a tutoring initiative to support children at a pair of nearby Baltimore schools. After an extended pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the YES program restarted under Pickering’s leadership. She oversaw a significant expansion to benefit both Notre Dame students and the surrounding community.
Pickering and Lindsay Chudzik, NDMU’s former director of service learning and community engagement, worked extensively to maintain and build upon relationships with Govans Elementary School and Tunbridge Public Charter School on York Road.
The original tutoring program – with a focus on math and reading comprehension – still remains, but NDMU students now also have an opportunity to volunteer in several other capacities at the two schools. Several serve as mentors for the Diamond Girls, an afterschool program for girls at Govans Elementary centered around empowerment, while others work as teacher’s aides in classrooms at Tunbridge.
“I had always wanted to be a part of the YES program – it started when I was a freshman here – but I felt a bit limited in what I could do as a biology and philosophy double major,” said Pickering. “The program was open to any major, but with the original emphasis on tutoring it appealed mainly to education majors. We worked hard to create new opportunities, so that everyone can be encouraged to serve regardless of their major.”
Pickering recruited several of NDMU’s Bonner Student Leaders to join the YES program, and she partnered with several NDMU 100 courses to bring first-year students into the initiative. The program had close to 60 volunteers early in the 2023-24 academic year – when Pickering began her role, there were only 11.
The program has spread to all areas of NDMU’s campus. The Schools of Nursing and Pharmacy hosted a health fair which provided valuable service opportunities for their students while introducing the children at Govans and Tunbridge to both professions.
“I wanted to get as many departments involved as possible,” she said. “Because every student here has the ability to share their own talents with the next generation if they’re matched with the right program, class, or activity. It makes a big impact for both them and the children.”
#NDMUPROUD
Notre Dame alumni are inspiring, dynamic and passionate about making a difference in the world.
Maxine Johnson Wood ’63 published the 2023 edition of her book "HomeWork: Lessons Learned in the Home for Success in School & Life," which is available on Amazon.
Retta Blaney ’78 earned a 10th journalism award in her professional career. Her cover story on human trafficking in Salvation Army Connects magazine, “Hope, pearls, and progress,” won first place in the reporting category for the Evangelical Press Association’s 2023 Higher Goals awards.
Maggie Newsome Scheck ’78 and her husband, Ken, have written two private investigator mystery fiction novels. “Missing in Martinique” and “The Deadly Pearls of Josephine” were published through Kindle Directing Publishing, and they are both available on Amazon in digital and paperback form.
Marti Tirinnanzi ’82 was appointed Director/Trustee of The RBB Fund, a registered open-end investment company organized as a series trust, which oversees approximately $30 billion in assets, supporting 15 separate investment advisers, over 20 unaffiliated sub-advisers, and over 50 mutual fund or ETF offerings.
Susan deMuth ’83 has transitioned into the role of Associate Vice President for Johns Hopkins’ Sesquicentennial Celebration, which will be held in 2026.
Margo Cunniffe ’89 now serves as Program Officer for the Grants and Fellowships team at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C.
Amy Norman Mason ’89 started her own business, Like Magick Restoration, which has thousands of customers and an extended wait list. She repairs most objects of art, including ceramics, porcelain, china, crystal and some wood.
The Office of Alumni Engagement wants to hear from you. Share your news at NDM.EDU/SHARENEWS
1990s
Milda De Voe ’90 had her debut story collection, “A Flash of Darkness,” published by Borda Books in Santa Barbara in April 2023.
Wendy Tribaldos ’91 was named associate researcher for Panama´s Centro de Investigaciones Históricas Antropológicas y Culturales, a research center affiliated with the Panamanian Ministry of Culture. Its mission is to scientifically study Panamanian history, culture and cultural heritage in order to promote cultural rights, dialogue, sustainable development and the protection of Panamanian heritage.
Jessica Nelson ’93 published her first novel, “Annabel’s Story: How Beautiful Are the Feet.” Available on Amazon, it is a story about truth and lies, homecoming and forgiveness, and learning to be loved.
Paula Thrasher M'95 is on the Board of Directors for H.O.P.E for oncology patients, and she also serves as chair of the organization’s Development Committee following her retirement from a director position at a hospital.
Claudette Carter Henderson ’97 recently earned her doctorate in strategic leadership with a concentration in human resource development from Regent University. Her research interests are human skills development for entry-level workers and leadership development for human services professionals.
Sasha Smart Welter ’99 published a poetry collection titled “belonging, on self: poems on dominirican healing,” with Finishing Line Press in Spring 2024.
2000s
Amanda Gaughan Berry '00, M'01 was promoted to Children’s Library Specialist at the C. Burr Artz Branch of the Frederick County Public Library system in May 2023.
Amanda Rosas ’01 participated in the EdSurge Voices of Change Writing Fellowship.
Karen Henry M’02 was appointed Director of Public Works for Anne Arundel County by County Executive Steuart Pittman. She is the first woman to hold the position in Anne Arundel County’s history.
Delores Floyd ’05 was promoted to assistant vice president of Information Technology Services at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. She has worked for the Federal Reserve since 2010.
Megan Anderson ’09 moved from Washington, D.C., to Seattle to begin a role at Amazon Web Services, and she was recently promoted to Senior Event Manager, Keynotes, for AWS’s Global Events Team.
Roxana Beyranvand ’09, M’12 graduated from Leadership Montgomery's Emerging Leaders Program in May 2023. She is committed to using the knowledge and skills gained during the program to continue her passion for public service and improving the delivery of key city services for residents and communities.
Amie Dryer M’10 was selected as the 2023 Maryland History Teacher of the Year. Dryer teaches 11th grade AP World History, Honors World History, and 12th grade AP European History at Calvert High School.
Shannon Raum ’11, M’13 is now president of the Maryland Chapter of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR). She previously served as the board secretary and social media manager from July 2019 to June 2023.
Dr. Christopher Wooleyhand D’12 has been hired as the Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP). Wooleyhand recently retired after working for Anne Arundel County Public Schools for 33 years. In his role as Executive Director of MAESP, he will work collaboratively with principals across the state of Maryland to provide service, support, and advocacy.
Cynthia J. Roman Cabrera ’14 had a poetry collection titled “belonging, on self: poems on dominirican healing,” published by Finishing Line Press in Spring 2024.
Dr. Arlene Vélez Bartolomei D’19 serves as a clinical pharmacist for MMM Holdings, LLC in Puerto Rico, working with the Prior Authorization Department to evaluate Medicare and Medicaid cases for enrolled patients. She is currently focusing on work with the company’s oncology division, which is charged with evaluating cancer treatments for enrolled patients.
Krista Crockett M’15
was invited to serve as an Advisory Council member for The Women in Leadership Professional Development Program through California State University, Chico, in partnership with Zschool – a platform for leading women to engage and uplift each other by inspiring positive change. She completed a Certificate in Women's Leadership from Chico State.
In May 2023, Krista was nominated and selected as an Honored Listee by the prestigious Marquis Who's Who in America's publication. Inclusion is limited to individuals who possess professional integrity, demonstrate outstanding achievement in their respective fields and have made innumerable contributions to society as a whole.
Hannah Amodia ’21 was promoted to Senior Manager of Operations Support at TEKsystems – her third promotion since joining the company right after graduation. She previously held the roles of Project Operations Associate, Manager of Operations Support, and Senior Contract Specialist.
Dr. Brittany Botescu D’21 now serves as Senior Manager, Governance & Policy, at the American Pharmacists Association headquarters in Washington, DC.
Calenna Cauley ’21 had her favorite undergraduate painting, “O’Keeffe,” win the Best in Show award in Contemporary Art Gallery Online’s 10th annual “ALL Color” Online Art Competition.
Francesca Circosta ’22 was presented with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in recognition of her dedication to providing compassionate and skillful care to patients at Augusta Health, a community hospital located within the Shenandoah Valley in Fisherville, Virginia.
In Memoriam (January 1 - December 31, 2023)
Joan O'Brien '46
Mary E. Riddles '46
Gilda Scerbo '48
Mary R. Howard '49
Katherine E. Hall '50
Henrietta H. Leone '50
Frances M. Litrenta '50
Helen Thomsen '50
Mary Adele Griesacker '51
Lois Monaghan '51
M. L. Edwards '53
Angela M. Higgins '53
Mary E. Wildberger '53
Catherine Carver '55
M. M. Murphy '55
Mary C. Robertson '55
Constance A. Cahill '58
Deborah M. Wagner '58
Barbara A. McLean '59
Mary M. Fields '61
Mary L. Hill '61
Mary Rotante '61
Ellen Fitzsimmons '62
Mildred A. Gardiner '62
JoAnne Press '62
Florence Yarney '62
Susan Bradley '63
Merise H. Nelson '63
Jeanne McGuire '64
Mary Jane P. Roethlin '64
2023
Nafissatou "Nafi" Diene ’23
earned her degree from Notre Dame 26 years after immigrating to the United States as a non-English speaker. As she completed that major personal milestone, she was dedicating an equal amount of effort towards building a school in Senegal, the West African nation where she grew up.
Diene used some of her saving money to make the initial land purchase in Thiès, a city just east of the Senegalese capital of Dakar where she went to high school. She purchased a variety of supplies and furniture through Amazon and other sources, while collecting supplemental materials through donations from other schools.
Two teachers were hired for the school’s first year, and a total of 15 students were enrolled from the surrounding area, which did not previously have any nearby education facilities. Three are elementary school age, with the remaining currently in preschool. Diene hopes to continuously expand as the group ages, with an ultimate goal of allowing students to study there through high school.
Marilyn Klock '66
Mary J. Reardon '66
Sharon Dalton '67
Mary K. DeGrange '69
Patricia G. Hillman '69
Susan K. Luckan '69
Elizabeth A. Furst '70
Susan M. Love '70
Cynthia M. Fox '77
Barbara J. Jones '83
Mary Ann Ayd '85
Cynthia Cosenza '86
Georgeanna Lyston '87
Mary L. Castorina '88
Stephany Harper '89
Sharon Hall '90
Catherine C. Douglass '93
Joanne T. Sands '95
Laurie S. Phillips '97
Kathleen O'Hanlon '99
Susan P. Doory '00
Mary K. Bondura '03
Elizabeth C. Smith '04
Mary Marks '05
Takia E. Raneri '13
Julie M. Carter '14, M’15
Paula D. Farina '14
Sandra L. Haught '18
TELLING THE STORIES OF ENTERPRISING WOMEN
BY
DR. AMY ROSENKRANS '93, D'16
My time as a student at Notre Dame was life-changing, and it molded me into the teacher and historian that I am today. In spring 2023, I had the privilege of serving as the lead researcher on a project with three incredible young women from the University’s Elizabeth Morrissy Honors Program where we documented the stories of the Woman’s Industrial Exchange in Baltimore.
As secretary for the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center’s executive board, I was thrilled when the center moved into its current home, the former location of the Baltimore Woman’s Industrial Exchange. The Woman’s Industrial Exchange closed in 2002 leaving behind all sorts of fascinating artifacts.
As a historian, I was intrigued by the history behind all of the artifacts and immediately began thinking about how we could use the artifacts to tell the story of both the building and the Exchange.
Heritage Area. With the help of the grant, we are working to create as comprehensive a history of the institution as possible – by going through the artifacts in the room, by doing archival research, and by conducting oral histories of people still alive who have been associated with the Exchange.
Since the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center is made up of volunteers, except for one part-time executive director, I knew I could not do this project on my own. I immediately thought of my longtime connections to Notre Dame. I was a Morrissy Scholar and first graduated with a history and political science double major and a pre-law minor. I later earned my Ph.D. in the education program. As a history person - I wrote a history dissertation. Dr. Evelyn Spratt, the director of Notre Dame’s Morrissy Honors Program, was my dissertation chair.
“ “ I love this kind of intergenerational cooperation that has been made possible because of the Morrissy Program.
Dr. Spratt keeps me up to date on what is happening with the Morrissy Program, and I participated in the oral history project for the program’s 40th anniversary in 2022. Because of my involvement with that project, I began thinking about doing something similar with the Woman’s Industrial Exchange research. Then it hit me- maybe Morrissy Scholars could assist me with that research!
Setting the Record Straight
We soon learned that there was no comprehensive history of the Woman’s Industrial Exchange. As I explored the building, I found some interesting artifacts that I felt could be used to fill in the gaps of the history of the Exchange. After speaking to other members of the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center executive board, we launched the “Memories of the Baltimore Woman’s Industrial Exchange” project. As an organization, we applied for and received a two-year grant from the Baltimore National
I immediately contacted Dr. Spratt to discuss the feasibility of Morrissy Scholars participating. Was there a way that they could receive credit for their involvement? We brainstormed a little bit, and with the help of several people at the University, we were able to offer an independent study for three students. This was super exciting!
Students Uncovering Women’s History
Three incredible Morrissy students – Jensen Armstrong ’24, Eliza Davis ’25, and Anna Choudhary ’25 – were chosen to participate in the project. We have researched the women and men associated with the Woman’s Industrial Exchange, which was a charity run entirely by high-society women in Baltimore City. We
started with creating biographies of the women involved. Many, if not most of the women were from very prominent Baltimore families, notably the Hopkins, Latrobe, Gilman, and Abell families.
The interns scoured newspaper archives and the materials that we found in the room in the Exchange building. Most of the documents that we found are written in beautiful script, but are not exactly easy to read, so they transcribed them to help document the history. We have also conducted oral histories with people that still remember either shopping or working or eating at the Woman’s Industrial Exchange.
It was a fabulous opportunity for these young women to be self-directed in a very loosely defined internship. In my first meeting with them, I introduced them to the Woman’s Industrial Exchange. I told them what the parameters of my project are, and I said, “What can we do? This is where I would like you to help.” And they took the ball and rolled with it.
They are all out-of-the-box thinkers and self-motivated. They were excited about the topic, and every time I met with them, there was always something new they had learned and were excited to share.
I absolutely love that they are confident young women and are able to communicate with all types of people in all types of situations. The intergenerational cooperation that has been made possible because of the Morrissy Program is invaluable.
Sharing Hidden Stories with the World
Since the beginning of this project, I have been blown away by how far we have come. We held our first open house in March 2023 to encourage anyone with memories of their interactions with the Woman’s Industrial Exchange to share their reflections. That event got the attention of a reporter from the Baltimore Banner, who interviewed us for a story in the online newspaper. The students have also created a research presentation based on
their work, which they took to several conferences and to Notre Dame’s Community Day. I have also facilitated presentations locally, including at Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library.
In the end, the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center is creating a website for the Woman's Industrial Exchange. Anna and Eliza will be the chief designers of the website, and the research that the interns completed will be the basis for the website.
My experience working with interns from the Morrissy Program was fantastic, and I look forward to additional ways to expand the partnership between Notre Dame and the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center to benefit students.
Dr. Amy Rosenkrans ’93, D’16 is a proud double graduate of Notre Dame of Maryland University. In 2017, she received the Joseph L. Arnold Prize for Outstanding Writing on Baltimore History by the Baltimore City Historical Society. She served as a consultant to the Hard Histories Project at Johns Hopkins University, where she worked with undergraduates researching African American orphans housed in the Johns Hopkins Colored Orphan Asylum. She currently shares her passion for history with middle school students in Baltimore City. She credits Notre Dame with fostering her love for history and teaching her the skills to develop that love in others. She is the 2023 recipient of Notre Dame’s Service to Society Award.
