February 24, 2022
Author of Dead Man Walking to Address NDMU Commencement
A posed photo of Sister Prejean

Sister Helen Prejean, world-renowned social justice advocate and author of the book, Dead Man Walking, will deliver a virtual commencement address to nearly 700 Notre Dame of Maryland University graduates on May 22, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Baltimore Convention Center. Her book sparked a national debate on capital punishment and inspired an Academy Award-winning movie, a play, and an opera.

Learn More About Sister Prejean

 

From left to right, action shots of head coach Kalin Wynn, Daija Fitchett and Alexis Durham
Basketball Advances to CSAC Semifinals, Earns Three Major Conference Awards

A memorable winter for NDMU's basketball team included the program's first CSAC tournament victory, as the Gators topped Cairn by an 86-67 final in the quarterfinals on Monday. Notre Dame ended the year with an overall record of 14-10 (14-5 CSAC) after a tight 75-73 defeat at Keystone in Wednesday's semifinal round.

The successful season was recognized at the conference level, as the Gators accounted for three of the CSAC's five major award winners announced this week. Daija Fitchett '22 repeated as the CSAC Defensive Player of the Year, Alexis Durham '25 was honored as co-Rookie of the Year and Kalin Wynn earned Coach of the Year accolades.

A posed photo of Julie and Paul Ben-Susa with their dog
Challenge Gift Inspires Community to Go Beyond for Students

Julie Ben-Susan ’69 holds her alma mater close to her heart. She volunteers at every opportunity and has given to NDMU each year since she graduated. Last year, she and her husband Paul decided to go beyond their traditional giving to make a greater impact. They committed $50,000 to match gifts to the Notre Dame Fund, which supports NDMU's greatest needs.

Their challenge gift initiative launched on Giving Tuesday 2021 on Nov. 30 and ended with NDMU Giving Day 2022 on Feb. 15. Donors answered the call, giving $109,873 to more than double the challenge match.

“I am delighted that the challenge has been successful," Julie said. "And hope that it will inspire small gifts, as well as large ones, to complete the Go Beyond campaign.”

More Stories

NDMU Student Literary Magazine Wins National Award

Rochelle Thompson and Lindsey Pytrykow pose with copies of Damozel

The latest issue of Damozel was recently honored for excellence by the National Council of Teachers of English, as NDMU's student literary magazine was named a Merit winner for the REALM (Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines) Award program. 

The 2020-21 literary editors – Lindsey Pytrykow ’22 and Rochelle Thompson ’22 – led a team of their peers to review and publish submissions of poetry, short stories, photography, and drawings. Read faculty editor Micah Castelo ’18, Pytrykow, and Thompson's thoughts on receiving the national award.

NDMU Education Program Honored for School Partnerships

A group photo of four Notre Dame PDS affiliates

NDMU’s teacher preparation program was named one of the nation’s best for innovative partnerships with local schools that prepare students to become effective educators.

The National Association for Professional Development Schools (NAPDS) selected NDMU for a 2022 Exemplary Professional Development School Achievement Award. The honorees received their awards during the NAPDS National Conference in Chicago from Feb. 10-12. Learn more about the award and NDMU's PDS program.

Education Grad Honored for Innovative STEM Program

A headshot of Emily Langton next to the NDMU School of Education logo

A local educator and Notre Dame of Maryland University graduate won a prestigious award for launching an innovative STEM program at her elementary school. 

Emily Langton ’13, M’15 received a 2022 Program of Excellence Award from the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA), one of the world’s highest honors for K-12 education programs in STEM. Learn more about her Project Lead the Way Launch program at Owings Mills Elementary School, and how NDMU helped prepare her to be a leader in STEM education.

Universitas 2021 Now Available Online

Several previous Universitas editions displayed on a table

For the first time, Universitas is published online as a fully designed website. Check out the online edition of Universitas 2021, which includes the same articles as the print magazine, including a feature on Go BeyoND: The Campaign for NDMU, profiles of six alumnae donors, and an #NDMUProud section sharing news and updates from alumni. 

A Child's Place Updates

A photo of the newly-renovated library space at A Child's Place


Starting this June, A Child’s Place preschool is now enrolling children as young as age 2 and offering a 20% off discount for current NDMU faculty, students, and staff members. For more information or to enroll your child today, please email our new director Katie McDonald at Kmcdonald6@ndm.edu.

With the help of nearly $100,000 in grants, A Child's Place has been able to make renovations to the playground, library, grounds and curriculum, purchase personal protective equipment, provide professional development for teachers and update classrooms. The preschool also hosted unique in-house field trips including a petting zoo, pottery class, and welcoming members from the Philadelphia ballet professional orchestra. More updates are on the horizon as additional funds are awarded!

Library Updates


Spring Copyright Workshops

The library has five virtual workshops remaining for the spring semester. The next session, "How to Find and Legally use Images," is scheduled for 12 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1. A full schedule is available below, click the links for registration and additional information on each individual workshop.

Career Center


The Spring 2022 Nursing/Health Professionals Career Fair will be held on Thursday, Feb 24, 4:00-6:30 pm. Meet employers in group sessions via Zoom. Register at ndm.edu/nursingfair. Open to Nursing, Radiography, and other allied health professions.

Conference and Auxiliary Services


Updated Dining Information


2022 Summer Camps

Registration for the following summer camps is now live! Click on each camp below for additional information:

School News
Student/Faculty/Staff Updates

The NDMU Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Team will compete in the Association of Practical and Professional Ethics Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl National Competition, held virtually from February 26-27. The team is one of 36 who qualified for nationals, out of over 120 schools and 150 teams who competed in regional competitions. The team consists of seniors Kristina Pickering, Raquel Pompey, Cecia Zavala Ramos and Kylie Simonson, and is coached by Assistant Professor Jessica Davis.

Ryan Schaaf, associate professor of Educational Technology in the School of Education presented at the 10th annual Common Ground conference. The conference is hosted by numerous Maryland educational associations such as the Maryland Society of Educational Technology, The Council of Educational Administrative and Supervisory Organizations of Maryland, Maryland State Department of Education, Learning Forward, and many others. He presented A Brief History of the Future of Education as a featured speaker, and Reinventing Learning for the Always-On Generation as a concurrent session.

In addition, the Maryland Society of Educational Technology has appointed Professor Schaaf to the Executive Board and head of the MSET Higher Education professional learning network.

Save the Dates

Inclusion Forum

Thursday, February 24 | 6:30 - 8 p.m. | Virtual

Sponsored by NDMU Athletics and the Office of Inclusion & Community Standards, this interactive event includes trivia, group discussions, and opportunities for attendees to win gift baskets for their participation! Topics include cultural humility, mental health, and Title IX at 50: Impact on Women of Color.

Natural Hair Party with Cindy Tawiah

Friday, February 25 | 6 - 7:30 p.m. | Gator Alley

Join Student Engagement for a night of prizes, discussion, and fancy fun with none other than natural hair enthusiast, businesswoman, entrepreneur, and spa owner, Mrs. Cindy Tawiah!

Commencement Fair

Saturday, February 26 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Gator Alley

Handle with Care Service Event

Monday, February 28 | 4 - 5 p.m. | Gator Alley

This service event involves assembling care packages to be distributed to homeless shelters/ food banks in collaboration with Brighten a Day Maryland.

The Best You: Pursuit Towards Self-Discovery, ft. Dr. Yettieve Marquez-Santana

Wednesday, March 2 | 7 - 8 p.m. | Virtual

This three-part speaker series, hosted by the Office of Inclusion & Community Standards, celebrates successful women in sharing their HERstory and how they create brave spaces for diverse populations.

Women's History Month Speaker: Dr. Karsonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead

Tuesday, March 8 | 6 - 7 p.m. | Virtual

Hosted by the WLIB, join renowned educator, author, and activist Dr. Karsonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead, Associate Professor at Loyola University Maryland, for a discussion with WJZ Anchor Denise Koch on dismantling toxic masculinity and setting boys up for healthy relationships with themselves and others. The deadline to register is March 4, 2022.

Social Justice is Served: Migration & Borderlands

Wednesday, March 9 | 5 - 6 p.m. | Doyle Dining Hall

Part of the "Social Justice is Served" series, over dinner we will spend time in conversation with Gloria Anzaldua’s writings around borderlands, and explore the ways we experience and engage with borders in our own lives.

Academic Calendar

Check out the latest version of the Academic Calendar for 2021-2022.

NDMU Events

Check out the NDMU Events calendar below for all upcoming events.