Tower Talk
April 2024
Message from the Alumni Engagement Team
Greetings Alumni,
Your next edition of Tower Talk is here to provide opportunities to share your news and achievements, register for upcoming events, and learn a little about what’s happening at Notre Dame. Spring Break for our students was a couple of weeks ago, and it’s always enjoyable to see our campus alive again with activity we can see from our windows in Noyes House, so we are happy to have them back!
Spring is in the air, and our seniors are taking their final steps as students until Commencement, when we will welcome them into the alumni family. Be on the lookout for how you can celebrate our seniors on social media this May.
We hope to see you at an upcoming event soon!
Warmly,
Your Alumni Engagement Team
The Student Alumni Leadership Council Continues to Thrive
The Student Alumni Leadership Council (SALC) is a group of current NDMU students 
that encourage the entire undergraduate and graduate student body to develop loyalty and lifelong connections so they become engaged and invested alumni. Members of SALC keep NDMU traditions, spirit, and pride alive on campus while maintaining a link and serving as a voice between current students, the campus community, and alumni. They work in collaboration with the Alumni Engagement Office to develop a network between students and alumni.
"SALC has changed how I view myself. I now know that I can be a Kessler and influencer. SALC has given me confidence and opportunities I wouldn’t have anywhere else." - Nwanneka Udolisa '25, SALC President
"One of the best things about being a part of SALC is having the opportunity to meet alumni during various events like Bridge the Gap, Dinner with Gators, and Alumni Weekend. It's always a great experience speaking to them and learning about their experiences during college, as well as receiving helpful tips for navigating the adult world." - Kritika Kc '25, SALC Vice President
"As a commuter, SALC presented with me with a unique opportunity to stay close to my NDMU circle of friends while also allowing me to meet new faces from the student body and alum pool." - Sarah Generoso '25, SALC Communications Chair
The newest initiative for SALC is the Dinner with Gators program. Alumni may host 3 - 4 students in SALC for small dinner parties (lunch or breakfast works, too), bringing Gators together in a warm, friendly environment for good food, conversation, and camaraderie. You can learn more about the program on our website. Kathleen Donohue Wilder '82 explains why she loved hosting for the students:
"As a long-ago alum who has been involved with the Alumnae Association, I was excited to meet the new young women on campus. Their participation in various programs mirrored my experience but the level of scholarship, maturity, and ambition is much greater. WOW! I feel much more optimistic for the future of the planet after our dinner." - Kathleen Donohue Wilder '82
At this time, SALC programs are in person, but please email ndmalum@ndm.edu if you would like to participate in a virtual event with SALC!
Are you interested in being interviewed for an upcoming edition of Tower Talk? Sign up by clicking the button below!
The College Tour Premiere
NDMU’s The College Tour episode officially launched on Friday, March 22 with a red carpet premiere showing in LeClerc Theatre! The episode, which will debut on Amazon Prime this spring, features nine students and one alumna, Jolisse Gray '22, sharing their own unique Notre Dame experiences.
The College Tour is a TV series presented by multi-award winning producers that tells the story of colleges and universities around the world. The show filmed on NDMU’s campus for five days this fall.
Campus News and Updates
Pharmacy Student Works Towards Third NDMU Degree
Kunjrani Pani '10, M'18, D'25, currently a third-year student in the School of Pharmacy, is working towards her third degree at NDMU after previously earning a bachelor’s degree in biology from the School of Arts, Sciences, and
Business and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the School of Education. She is the current president of NDMU’s American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) chapter, the Director of National Engagement for NDMU’s Industrial Pharmacist Organization (IPhO), and a tutoring chair for the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society. Pani also serves as a School of Pharmacy Student Ambassador, she is the school’s liaison for NDMU’s Student Government Association, and she is a group leader for the School of Pharmacy’s AdvoCaring community service program.
“I’m a loyal person, and I have a lot of loyalty towards Notre Dame because I appreciate the education that it has provided me. It’s a very high quality, excellent education, and that’s why I keep coming back. Notre Dame is literally my educational root that I’ve always cultivated and developed. It has all the resources and facilities that I need to be successful.”
Notre Dame Alumna Earns Judicial Appointment to Maryland’s District Court
Jennifer Alexander '98 was a junior at Notre Dame of Maryland University when she first realized that she wanted to attend law school. That initial interest led to an accomplished 20+ years working as an attorney for the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office and multiple private practices. Alexander’s hard work was rewarded in November, when Governor Wes Moore appointed her to the District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County. She was officially sworn in as a judge during a December ceremony in Annapolis.
“Getting back to public service was something that I thought would be more meaningful. It allows me to impact the community in a positive way, and it lets me play a part in restoring faith in our judiciary and our judicial system, which has become very important to me over the past few years.”
Registration Open for 2024 Summer Camps at NDMU
Notre Dame of Maryland University is offering a wide variety of youth programming on campus in summer 2024. Registration for each of the four camps listed below is now available. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so register today!
A Child’s Place Summer Camp
Five two-week sessions beginning June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22 and August 5
Ages 2 to 6
Camp Day: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Before Camp Care: 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. (no additional cost) | After Camp Care: 3 to 5:30 p.m. (no additional cost)
Sessions offer an entertaining and age-appropriate educational and play-based experience for children ages 2 to 6 (those entering first grade in the fall). The camps will provide opportunities to stimulate curiosity, creativity, and imagination through water play, daily indoor and outdoor play, STEAM activities, cooking, play-based learning, daily exploration and investigation, and more.
Camp Notre Dame
Four two-week sessions beginning June 17, July 1, July 15 and July 29
Ages 5 to 11
Camp Day: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
With rotating sessions throughout the day, campers will have the opportunity to participate in explorations, arts & crafts, sports & games and a mix of instructional and recreational swimming.
Pharmacy Summer Camp
June 24-28
Grades 9-12
Camp Day: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pharmacy Camp is designed to help high school students entering grades 9-12 discover exciting topics and career paths in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences from the School of Pharmacy faculty at NDMU. Campers will explore precision medicine and the pharmacist’s role in research and patient care, learn about medication therapy management, and discover which pharmacy career best fits them. They will also make medications in the School of Pharmacy’s lab and get tips for applying to pharmacy school. *Housing on campus is available for this year’s camp!
STEM Camp
Amazing Amusement Parks: July 15-19, 2024
Grades K-10
Camp Day: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Join us for an exciting exploration of the world of amusement parks. Investigate different methods of designing rides and interactive games and learn about the creativity and engineering that goes into designing an amusement park. Campers will be engaged in a variety of age-appropriate hands-on activities to help them build their knowledge and skills of STEM education.
Winter and Spring Athletics Update
Men’s Basketball – The men's basketball team defeated Rosemont by a 75-66 final in the final home game of the program’s inaugural season on campus. The Gators finished ninth overall in the United East Skye Division standings.
Women’s Basketball – The women's basketball team advanced to the United East Skye Division Championship game to cap off another highly-successful season! The Gators (20-7, 16-2 UE) finished atop the Skye Division standings after tying a program record with 14 straight wins and posting a second straight 20-win season. First year forwards Hillary Howard and Amani Watts each earned first team All-United East accolades.
Women’s Lacrosse – The women's lacrosse team fell to defending Wilson College in last week’s conference opener. The Gators are 2-2 so far at Alumnae Field this season, topping Waynesburg by a 20-6 final in their most-recent home contest on March 25.
Women’s Softball – The softball team is off to a 4-0 start in conference play this season, including a doubleheader sweep over Cedar Crest on April 5! The Gators began conference play with a sweep of Valley Forge, racking up 38 hits during 18-0 and 16-1 victories over the Patriots. The Gators’ overall season record is 11-7.
Women’s Tennis – The women's tennis team earned their first win of the season, defeating Clarks Summit University 7-2 in United East action on March 29.
Want more NDMU Stories? Read the Bulletin, a bi-weekly newsletter with more student, staff, and faculty updates!
Save the Dates
Little Shop of Horrors
Friday, April 12 | 7PM | LeClerc Theatre
Saturday, April 13 | 2 PM & 8 PM | LeClerc Theatre
Sunday, April 14 | 2 PM | LeClerc Theatre
Buy Tickets Here!
Come support two alumni in this production: Katherine Martinez Argueta '21 and Hunter King '19! One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows, this charmingly tongue-in-cheek comedy follows meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn as he stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down-and-out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it…BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!
SSND North American Vocation Team Event: Joyful & Alive Conversation
Saturday, April 13 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST | Virtual
Register Here!
We invite single young women ages 18-45 who are curious about religious life and/or how to discern God’s invitations in their own life to bring their questions and add to the conversation.
Your Untapped Power: Using Your Story to Inspire Transformation
Tuesday, April 16 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!
Do you know how powerful you truly are? Can you see your own brilliance? Humans are wired for stories; sometimes, our stories don't serve us well. Through his client work and by interviewing hundreds of inspiring guests for The Virtual Campfire Podcast, bestselling author and one of the Biggest Voices in Leadership Tony Martignetti has discovered that when you commit to understanding and owning your true story, you will uncover things you never clearly understood about yourself and others. Once we embrace the power of our stories, we can use this clarity to propel ourselves and many others forward. This webinar is an essential guide for anyone seeking to lead authentically and inspire meaningful change.
SALC Bridge the Gap
Tuesday, April 16 | 6:30 - 8:30 PM | Doyle Formal, NDMU Campus
Register Here!
The Student Alumni Leadership Council (SALC) is hosting a networking event for students and alumni. Our students are looking to our alumni to share experiences in their career field and provide guidance on how to succeed after graduation. This event will promote intimate conversations where you can give advice to the next generation of Notre Dame alumni. All alumni from any program, year, or degree type are welcome to attend.
SSND North American Vocation Team Event: Discernment Retreat for Single Women
Friday, April 26 - Sunday, April 28 | All Day | Baltimore, MD
Register Here!
With the theme of “Caught Up in God’s Love,” this retreat opportunity is designed for single young women (ages 18-45) who wish to dive deeper into their heart to listen for God’s call. The weekend includes both personal and communal sessions and prayer as well as time for fun and relaxation. There is no cost to attend and some assistance with transportation costs is available if needed. SSND make great companions on your discernment journey.
Unmanaging: The New Proven Managerial Mindset That Boosts Innovation, Collaboration, Productivity, and Culture
Wednesday, May 8 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!
Most managers think they manage well, yet organizational results and happiness often point in the other direction. Despite their intentions otherwise and corporate platitudes to match, a broad and deeply-rooted misunderstanding exists about effectively managing today’s complex, project-driven, knowledge workplaces. As demonstrated in over 200 organizations and proven with thousands of managers, the counter-intuitive techniques of “Unmanaging” unlock the innate potential of teams and individuals, boosting a wide range of key business metrics, including inclusion, culture, innovation, quality, agility, and productivity. In this mind-expanding webinar, former think-tank researcher and management guru Jack Skeels explores the history of how our culture unlearned great management, replacing it with ineffective industrial techniques, and how to bring back the richness of human empowerment.
Nightingale and Nachos
Thursday, May 9 | 5:30 PM | Fourier Lobby, NDMU Campus
Register Here!
The Alumni Engagement Office and School of Nursing invite our nursing alumni back to campus to celebrate BSN graduates from the Class of 2024 during Nurses Week! This is an open mic event; all are welcome to share stories about their nursing or student experiences. All alumni with a BSN degree from NDMU and their guests are welcome to join. Margaritas and nachos will be provided.
Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory’s Power to Hold on to What Matters
Tuesday, May 14 | 12 PM | Virtual
Register Here!
We may think memory is merely remembering someone’s name, where we put the car keys, or where we went on vacation five years ago. In this illuminating webinar, Dr. Charan Ranganath, renowned neuroscientist, psychologist, and author of Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory’s Power to Hold on to What Matters, will reshape our understanding of memory, showcasing its transformative potential in shaping our perceptions, biases, and self-awareness. By harnessing this power, Ranganath suggests, we can enhance daily functioning, mitigate memory loss, and even embark on a journey of personal growth and healing. Raganath will offer insights that will empower us to navigate life with clarity and intention, ultimately enabling us to forge a happier and more fulfilling future. Ranganath delves into cutting-edge research, unveiling memory's pervasive influence across various facets of our existence, from basic tasks like recalling names to complex processes such as decision-making and healing from trauma.
Almost Alumni Social
Monday, May 20 I 5:30 - 7 PM I Noyes House, NDMU Campus
Register Here!
Join the Alumni Engagement Office as we welcome the Class of 2024 into the alumni community in the days leading up to Commencement! These almost alumni will be able to connect with and learn from our vibrant alumni community. All alumni from any year or program are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served.
How Women of Color Can Take Ownership of Their Careers to Accelerate Their Paths to Success
Wednesday, May 22 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!
What do you need? As simple as it is powerful, this question is not often asked of women of color. But the answer to this question could be the difference between dreaming of a successful life and living one. In this illuminating webinar, author and PR expert Lauren Wesley Wilson will help to fill this gap for women at any stage of their careers. Recognized as one of the most powerful women in PR, Wilson started her company because at every level of her career— there were questions she needed answered with no one to ask. Lauren’s recently published book, What Do You Need?: How Women of Color Can Take Ownership of Their Careers to Accelerate Their Path to Success, is full of fun stories from her roller-coaster career, personal experience, and actionable tips.
Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking
Tuesday, June 4 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!
Toxic thoughts, depression, and anxiety–our mental mess is frequently aggravated by a chaotic world and sustained by an inability to manage our runaway thoughts. But we shouldn't settle into this mental mess as if it's just our new normal. Hope and help are available to us, and the road to healthier thoughts and peak happiness may be shorter than you think. In this enlightening webinar, bestselling author and cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf will provide a scientifically proven five-step plan to find and eliminate the root of anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts in your life so you can experience dramatically improved mental and physical health.
SSND North American Vocation Team Event: Summer Service Week
Sunday, July 14 - Saturday, July 20 | All Day | Ellington, MO
Register Here!
Young women are invited to share in prayer, ministry and community with SSND while volunteering at WKO, a sponsored ministry. Besides the volunteer experiences during the week, there will also be time to have fun, build community, pray and reflect on how God calls each of us to intentionally respond to our baptismal call through service. There is no cost to attend. You are asked to secure your own transportation to Ellington or St. Louis. Transportation from St. Louis is provided if needed.
Alumni Weekend
Friday, September 27 - Sunday, September 29 I All Day I NDMU Campus
Learn More
Save the date for Alumni Weekend on September 27 - 29, 2024! Registration will open on July 1, 2024. Alumni Weekend is for all alumni, and their family and friends. Anyone celebrating a milestone reunion that's from a class ending in a 4 or 9 is especially encouraged to attend! More information will be posted on the Alumni Weekend page as we get closer to the event.
View all upcoming events here!
Upcoming Events
- Apr 2912:00 pm - 2:00 pmFourier 102
- Apr 294:30 pm - 6:30 pmGormley Gallery
- May 212:00 pm - 3:00 pmDoyle Formal
Class Notes
Class notes are a way to celebrate any life updates you have with your Notre Dame community. Do you have something you wish to share with us? You can submit any update for us to share with our community here on Tower Talk. Please visit our In Memoriam page to view your deceased classmates from the past year.
Dr. Patty Silver D’23 co-presented a research paper, Innovative Technology Integration in a Professional Development School Collaboration, with Dr. Juliann Dupuis, Dr. Lisa Pallett D’19, and Ryan Schaaf.
Andrew Adams M'23 co-presented Fostering Sustainability and Financial Incentives through K-12 eRecycling with Ryan Schaaf, associate professor in the School of Education.
Grace McCarthy Lindstrom M’22, Operation TEACH program director, was highlighted in a recent article from The Catholic Review about NDMU's Operation TEACH program.
Zach Rowe M’20 was highlighted in a recent article from The Catholic Review about NDMU's Operation TEACH program.
Dr. Lisa Pallett D’19 co-presented a research paper, Innovative Technology Integration in a Professional Development School Collaboration, with Dr. Juliann Dupuis, Dr. Patty Silver D’23, and Ryan Schaaf.
Ryan Hellem M’13 was highlighted in a recent article from The Catholic Review about NDMU's Operation TEACH program.
Sharon Marie Slear, SSND, former NDMU provost and founding dean of the School of Education, was profiled in an article by The Catholic Review as a part of its Women's History Month recognition.
Joanne Henderson Collins ’59 recently sold her home and is now living in Florida, where she enjoys painting, traveling, playing bridge, and learning Spanish.
Contact Information
Do you have any suggestions for content to include in Tower Talk or ways we can improve? Please contact Rose Glenn at rglenn@ndm.edu.
Any general questions, comments, and concerns not related to Tower Talk can be sent to ndmalum@ndm.edu for a member of the Alumnae and Alumni Engagement Team to assist you.
Get Involved!
