Tower Talk
July 2024
Alumni Engagement Summer Updates!
Greetings to our Alumni Community,
The Alumni Engagement Team at Notre Dame has some exciting news and updates as we are in full preparation mode for the upcoming academic year!
First, I would like to introduce myself as your new Director of Alumni & Constituent Engagement. My name is Erin DaSilva, and I am a Notre Dame graduate from the Class of 2002. I have been a full-time staff member at the University for a number of years and am extremely excited and grateful to begin this journey working with the amazing members of our alumni community near and far, and partnering with our incredible Alumnae & Alumni Engagement Officer, Rose Glenn. We especially look forward to connecting with alumni, families and friends who are able to attend our annual Alumni Weekend on campus, September 27th – 29th 2024! Registration for Alumni Weekend is currently open, and early bird pricing is available through August 18th! Click for more information about Alumni Weekend.
As we look ahead to the 2024-2025 academic year and beyond, we are taking a fresh look at our alumni focused events, participation, and communications, so please feel free to connect with us if there is anything on your mind regarding alumni engagement and programming. As our alumni network expands, we want to ensure that we are providing resources and opportunities that match what you are looking for. Cheers to you and to another exciting academic year for Notre Dame!
Gratefully,
Erin DaSilva '02
Get Ready for Alumni Weekend 2024!
Are you excited to be back on campus this fall? Alumni Weekend will be held on September 27 - 29, and registration is now open! We have a jam-packed weekend full of the events you know and love mixed with brand-new activities. The weekend is open to all of our alumni from any class year! It's a time to reconnect with old friends and make new memories.
Follow along on our Facebook and Instagram pages to meet the Reunion Committee! The committee is comprised of alums celebrating their reunion year, class years ending in a 4 or 9, who help the Alumni Engagement Team plan the weekend.
Check out our website for more information on the schedule of events, FAQs, registration, and more!
Are you interested in being interviewed for an upcoming edition of Tower Talk? Sign up by clicking the button below!
Alumni Weekend Class Competition
Did you know that there is a competition every year at Alumni Weekend between all of the classes? Alums compete to see which class can win the highest attendance, highest donor participation, and highest total giving. The three winning classes will rename three circles on campus with their class year. In addition to attending, giving is a significant part of "showing up" at Alumni Weekend. Why? When individuals support Notre Dame financially, it shows the strength of our alumni community to prospective students. It also increases our community’s opportunities to receive grants, which help support current students’ needs. Showing up in person is additionally important to form new bonds with alumni and students, and to reconnect with old friends.
This year’s participation goal for reunion giving for each class ending in a 4 or 9 has been set to 10%. Any gift made between now and September 27, 2024 will count towards this competition.
Curious to find out who won last year? Check out the 2023 winners below.
- Highest Class Attendance: Class of 1973
- Highest Class Participation: Class of 1973
- Highest Class Gift Total: Class of 1973
Congrats to the Class of 2024!
Congrats to our newest alumni who graduated on May 22 at the Baltimore Convention Center! Leading up to commencement, they enjoyed various celebratory events, including the Tower Photos Celebration event hosted by the Alumni Engagement and Student Life offices, and the inaugural Almost Alumni Social. Awards were given out to our graduates, the School of Pharmacy had an on-campus Doctor of Pharmacy Hooding Ceremony, and many additional events recognized our newest alumni.
Several Class of 2024 spotlights highlighting graduates from a variety of programs across campus were also posted to the NDMU website in the week leading up to commencement. We're so excited to welcome every single graduate into our alumni family!
Campus News and Updates
School of Pharmacy Alumna Earns National Award
Dr. Mayrim Millan-Barea D'18, who is also a current adjunct faculty member for the School of Pharmacy, was named to the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) and National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) inaugural 40 Under 40 list, which spotlights individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, exemplary leadership, and profound contributions to the advancement of health equity. Dr. Millan-Barea currently serves as the Assistant Director of Pharmacy Operations and Medication Use Systems at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.
“Mayrim is truly an incredible practitioner and leader. Her support to diverse and underprivileged communities is a testament to her empathy and leadership. When she was a student at NDMU, all of the faculty knew how special she was, as she brought academics, leadership, professionalism, and integrity to our program.” - Dr. Sherry Moore, assistant director of experiential education in the School of Pharmacy.
Alumna Featured in Local News
Dr. Melaney Sanchez D'12, who has also served as an adjunct faculty member for NDMU’s School of Education for the past 17 years, was highlighted on an NBC-4 Washington broadcast after organizing six separate trips for over 600 elementary school students to the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
“This created so many memorable moments for our students. A bunch of them came up to me afterwards and said it was the best day of their lives. We also did lessons before they went to give them some background knowledge on the monuments. It was empowering for them to be experts on a real world topic that was significant to them. It made such a positive impact.”
Father Mario Vizcaino Remembrance
By: Mary Moher Gabriel ‘70
Reverend Mario Vizcaino Piarists Fathers, a native of Cuba, died on February 13, 2024, in Hialeah, Florida.
He was 89, and had been in hospice care for a month. Father Mario taught theology at Notre Dame in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and he was a beloved mentor and friend to many.
I met him in a theology class, and in 1972, he suggested I accompany him and a small group to Mexico, where he had started helping a local parish in Macuspana, Tabasco. Our group went that summer for two weeks to the rancherias – far-flung little villages where the native Chol lived a subsistence existence. There was no running water, sanitation, roads, or bridges over the rivers. This project gradually grew into multiple rancherias, with a clinic, housing projects, latrines, and cooperatives to store harvested grain to be sold later when prices rose. It is still in action today.
Father Mario (Padre, as he preferred) also established the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI) which worked to establish resources, education, and ministry to the Hispanic populations of the southeast. He ran this Institute for decades, and accomplished a great deal for those communities.
His death will be felt and mourned by many who knew him, who were his friends, and who benefited from his missionary zeal. He was a close friend and mentor to me, and I am sad and bereft at his passing.
May he rest in peace, reunited with the God whom he served so well, and his countless friends in heaven.
Thank you to Mary Moher Gabriel '70 for sharing this meaningful remembrance.
Alumnae Field Undergoes Renovation for New Turf Playing Surface
Notre Dame of Maryland University’s primary outdoor athletics field is undergoing a $2.2 million renovation this summer, funded by the historic $50 million Go Beyond campaign, with the installation of a new turf surface.
Construction of the new turf playing surface for Alumnae Field began in mid-May 2024 and is expected to be completed by August 2024. In addition to the turf field itself, the project includes an upgraded stormwater drainage system, a new retaining wall and fencing along the road side of the facility, and replacement netting behind the goals.
Be a Lifelong Learner at the Renaissance Institute
Continue your Notre Dame connection through the Renaissance Institute (RI), an active and engaging community of lifelong learners. In its 35th year, RI is the premier lifelong learning organization in the metropolitan Baltimore region, with courses and activities on campus at NDMU, and Zoom classes that have attracted both regional and national participants. Many Notre Dame alums, or relatives of alums, have been members.
Members may select six-week noncredit classes from our varied catalog of offerings. You also can share your acquired knowledge by teaching courses on subjects you are passionate about. Course topics include literature, public affairs, philosophy, history, Baltimore and Maryland topics, music, art, languages, qi gong, film, science, computers, yoga, acting, and more. Members additionally will find a wide array of cultural, social and physical activities in our popular Summer and Winter in the City Programs.
Intriguing classes, special events, clubs, and camaraderie make RI an affordable experience for people over age 50. The catalog is now available. Please contact RI’s Program Coordinator, Sandy Adams, at sadams@ndm.edu with any questions.
Want more NDMU Stories? Read the Bulletin, a bi-weekly newsletter with more student, staff, and faculty updates!
Save the Dates
Get to the Point: Communicate More By Saying Less
Tuesday, July 16 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!
Whether you’re an executive, manager, or starting out, you can’t seal the deal or make your point unless you can speak clearly and concisely. In this eye-opening webinar, author and certified speaking professional Diane DiResta will share how to create a crisp message, discover where you stumble, and identify your most common speaking situation. You will benefit from these tools she has built from decades of experience. You will learn to be crisp in your delivery, and your credibility will soar!
Emotion by Design: Creative Leadership Lessons From a Life at Nike
Tuesday, July 23 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!
In this engaging webinar, bestselling author and former CMO at NIKE Greg Hoffman unveils the concept of "Emotion by Design," illustrating how we can all harness its power to craft products, stories, and experiences that make people feel that even their most audacious pursuits are possible to achieve. He will share the philosophy and methodology behind creating a brand that empowers and deeply resonates with people, unveiling his three guiding principles: Creativity is a Team Sport, Dare to Be Remembered and Spark a Movement. These principles served as the cornerstone of Hoffman's leadership at Nike, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the company's brand identity and voice through compelling storytelling and immersive experiences.
Data-Driven DEI: A Blueprint to Achieving Lasting Impact with Your DEI Initiatives
Wednesday, August 7 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!
How can you effectively use data to accelerate your DEI efforts? In this enlightening webinar, author and DEI expert Dr. Randal Pinkett will present his Data-Driven DEI™ simple, step-by-step process—centered on people first and then organizations—to help you assess your DEI current state, analyze that data to create a personal and organizational action plan and implement data-driven, science-based, and technology-enabled interventions for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. It begins with self-reflection and introspection to identify your DEI Incentives. These intrinsic and extrinsic factors motivate you to pursue DEI and culminate in a cyclical, groundbreaking five-step cycle that delivers a practical and evidence-based blueprint to achieving lasting impact with your DEI initiatives.
Find Your True Self in a Noisy World
Wednesday, August 14 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!
Has anyone called you naive for suggesting that business can do more good and positively impact not just profits but also employees, consumers, and the world? Joshua Berry, author of Dare to Be Naive, contends that intentional naivete isn't a hindrance but a catalyst for innovation, positive transformation, and better business outcomes. This unique webinar will explore the power of curiosity, trust, authenticity, and optimism – the positive attributes of chosen naivete – and how embracing them can lead to a more fulfilling professional and personal life.
8 Ways to Increase Self-Confidence in Your Career and Life
Wednesday, August 21 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!
Do you sometimes feel like you are not enough? Do you feel like you're not seen or heard at work? Self-confidence is needed no matter what industry you are in to build your career and/or business. A report from Gitnux mentioned that 93% of people believe self-confidence is critical to professional success. In this eye-opening webinar, Sheena Yap Chan, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Tao of Self-Confidence, will share with you her 3-step process to building self-confidence, eight ways to increase self-confidence, along with actionable steps that you can use in your own journey. After this webinar, you will feel confident enough to speak up, live life on your own terms, be unapologetically yourself, show up, and have a mindset shift and, in turn, create your dream life.
New Student Move-in Day
August 23 | 8 AM - 2 PM | Campus
Register Here!
Join us as part of the welcoming committee to our newest alumni-in-training! We would love for our alums to volunteer with us to help move new students into their residence hall rooms. Breakfast will be provided.
Student and Alumni Welcome Mixer
Thursday, August 29 I 6:00 PM I Noyes House, NDMU Campus
Register Here!
Hosted by the Young Alumni Committee and the Student Alumni Leadership Council, you're invited to this Welcome Week event with new and returning students. At this casual networking event, you will be able to share your Notre Dame experiences and help guide students in their college career. Light refreshments will be served.
Turning Anxiety Into a Blessing: How to Use Anxiety to Thrive
Tuesday, September 10 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!
Let’s face it: Everyone has anxiety. Furthermore, our ongoing quest to rid ourselves of this ubiquitous human emotion worsens it. What if, instead of fighting our anxiety, we could turn it into a strength? This enlightening webinar will teach you how to use anxiety to become more self-accepting, connected to others, and resilient. Author of Thriving with Anxiety, Dr. David H. Rosmarin’s constructive, compassionate, and evidence-based approach will not make you less anxious. Instead, it will empower you to use anxiety to thrive.
Strategies for Leading Through Inevitable Setbacks
Wednesday, September 18 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!
Setbacks are unavoidable in any career journey, from C-suite executives, to those just starting out, to teams navigating staffing changes after layoffs or restructuring. But once we understand how to work through the cycle collectively, we'll have the tools to foster growth not only for ourselves but for our organizations, teams, and communities. Amy Shoenthal, author of The Setback Cycle, has studied how leaders work through setbacks for the past few years. In this webinar, she'll offer a sneak peek at some of her research around the neuroscience of setbacks, helping us understand why this phenomenon happens and offering tips and tools to work through the phases of The Setback Cycle. You will walk away with a framework to guide decision-making, set boundaries, prioritize your focus areas, and get clarity on your next move.
Accelerate Your Reinvention with a New Networking Mindset
Thursday, September 26 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!
As you imagine new possibilities for your professional future, don’t let past habits and outdated notions about “networking” hamper your transformation. This is the perfect time for you to adopt a new networking mindset and reimagine how to engage and build strong connections to advance your ambitions. In this dynamic and practical webinar, author, networking strategist, and coach J. Kelly Hoey provides fresh insights and actionable network-building tips to accelerate your reinvention (and calm any lingering networking anxieties). You will learn about reimagining networking, goals + networking, and networking quick-fixes.
Alumni Weekend
September 27 - 29 | All Day | Campus
RSVP here
Registration opens on July 1 and closes on September 22 at midnight. Register by August 18 to receive early bird pricing. The first 100 registrants will receive a guaranteed alumni gift at check-in. 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!
View all upcoming events here!
Upcoming Events
- Nov 221:00 pm - 4:00 pmGator Alley
- Nov 225:00 pmLeClerc Theatre
- Nov 226:00 pm - 8:00 pmKnott 106
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.
Maryellen Morrisey D'24 attended the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association in Philadelphia in April where her research, “The Strong, Latent Science Identity Trajectories of Women and Underrepresented Minority Students,” was featured in the program.
Brynne Baruch D'23 attended the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association in Philadelphia in April where her research, “The Impact of Remote Learning on the English Acquisition of Delaware K–12 Multilingual Learners,” was featured in the program.
Patty Silver D’23 traveled to Anaheim, California for the National Association for School University Partnerships (NASUP) Conference and participated in two presentations: “Behind the Scenes of an Apprenticeship Program” with Lauren Watson '00 M'06 and Molly King, and “Supporting PK-12 School Improvement Efforts in a School-University Partnership Network” with Watson and Stephanie Wilhide Savick '92 M'99 D'09.
Abigail Dibert '19 graduated from Campbell University as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in May 2024 and has begun residency at In His Image Family Medicine Residency in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Katelyn Barley Quarry M'19 got married at Notre Dame's Marikle Chapel on 11/11/23. Katelyn also currently works at NDMU as an Assistant Professor & Director of Entry Level Programs in the School of Nursing.
Catherine McLane '17 welcomed her first baby, Amelia Margaret, in March 2024 and is engaged to be married this August. Catherine also obtained her master’s degree in Innovations of Teaching and Learning in December of 2023 from McDaniel College.
Beverly Jackson Perry '13 has retired after working over thirty years as a nurse. Beverly has recently moved to France and is learning French.
Melaney Sanchez D'12 was featured on the Leading from the Library Podcast episode “Teaching is Heart Work”.
Taisha Burgess '11 has been working at the Division of Parole and Probation for the past eight years. She works directly with Judge Nancy Purpura and Baltimore County Circuit Court Drug Treatment Court.
Amanda Kemp Gergely '11 welcomed her first baby, Bennett Louis, in May 2024.
Ashley Demski '10, M'16, a current adjunct faculty member in the School of Education, was selected as a semifinalist for Baltimore City Public Schools' Teacher of the Year award.
Jaclyn Zendrian '04 M'10 joined Action Against Hunger in the organization’s New York City office as the Associate Director of Special Events this past May. Jaclyn has also been elected as a Director to the Board of Governors for the International Live Events Association (ILEA). She will be officially inducted at the organization’s annual conference in Seattle this August.
Sharon Alstat Zeren '04 just started a career and transition coaching business, Hourglass Coaching Baltimore.
Vallesha Parker '03 graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School with a Doctorate in Health Science in May 2023.
Jennifer Jasmine Arfaa PhD, CPXP '00 was recently mentioned in the Becker’s Hospital Review article, 54 CXOs to know.
Lauren Watson '00 M'06 traveled to Anaheim, California for the National Association for School University Partnerships (NASUP) Conference and participated in two presentations: “Behind the Scenes of an Apprenticeship Program” with Patty Silver D'23 and Molly King, and “Supporting PK-12 School Improvement Efforts in a School-University Partnership Network” with Silver and Stephanie Wilhide Savick '92 M'99 D'09.
Jean Malone '95 currently works in finance for Anne Arundel County government, and she is working on getting a doctorate in Public Administration. Malone also owns a horticulture consulting business called The Seedcret Garden.
Stephanie Wilhide Savick '92 M'99 D'09 traveled to Anaheim, California for the National Association for School University Partnerships (NASUP) Conference and participated in two presentations: “Re-envisioning PDS to Support Employed Interns in Partner Schools” with Molly King and “Supporting PK-12 School Improvement Efforts in a School-University Partnership Network” with Patty Silver D'23 and Lauren Watson '00 M'06.
Susan Taseff deMuth '83 currently serves as the Associate Vice President, Development & Alumni Relations at Johns Hopkins University, where she is leading Hopkins’ Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2026. Susan is also a grandparent to two grandsons, who are about one year old.
Margaret Newsome Scheck '78 and her husband, Ken, are working on the third book in the Hippolyte Maxwell Mystery Series titled Carnaval, which is due to release this November.
Kate Collins Hadley '76 fully retired a year ago after working as a stay-at-home mom for twenty-five years, a makeup stylist for TV, and the Director of Mentoring for a local high school. Kate currently keeps very busy running a parenting/marriage class, crocheting, exercising, organizing Bible study classes, giving talks to women’s groups, traveling around the USA (mostly to visit grandkids), taking the occasional bigger trip (to Ireland, Israel, & Puerto Rico) & enjoying her progeny.
Tanya Brasko Rodich '74 is now retired after 40 years of public service.
Mary Kay Shartle Galotto '64 recently attended a mini reunion with other members of the Class of 1964 and their spouses: Suzanne Janes Peck and Paul, Helen Hennigan Maroney and Howard, Maribeth Gilliece Lavecchia and Lou, and Sharon Ellis Sisson & Hal.
Contact Information
Do you have any suggestions for content to include in Tower Talk or ways we can improve? Please email Erin DaSilva at edasilva@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 Alumni Engagement Team to assist you.
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