By: Erik Pedersen, Senior Communications Manager
BALTIMORE – Notre Dame of Maryland University’s English department will celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Damozel with a special reception on Saturday, September 23, as part of this year’s Alumnae and Alumni Weekend.
The reception will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. in the English department’s lounge, which is located on the fifth floor of Caroline Hall. Attendees will enjoy high tea, archival displays of historic Damozel editions, and readings by six former editors and contributors: Pat Montley '65, Joy Moody Lipsey '74, Mia Scharper '91, Kelly McNulty McMillen '96, Micah Castelo '18, and Sierra Ferrare '18.
Registration for the Damozel reception and all other Alumnae and Alumni Weekend events will remain open through Sunday, September 17.
“While I served as editor of Damozel more than 30 years ago, the memories are still fresh,” said Scharper. “I’m excited to reconnect with other Damozel editors, designers, advisors, and staff members from over the years and celebrate the strength, truth, and beauty of our collective literary magazine.”
First published in 1923 as a yearbook, Damozel evolved over a century into the award-winning creative literary magazine that exists today. The 2021-22 edition received national accolades from both the National Council of Teachers of English and Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society. Featured work in the magazine includes poems, short fiction and nonfiction essays, artwork, and photography submitted by current NDMU students and alumni.
Castelo, who first joined Damozel as a contributor before becoming co-editor for the 2018 edition, remains actively involved as the magazine’s faculty editor. Through that role, she is able to remain connected with a publication that had a big impact on her collegiate experience.
“Joining Damozel allowed me to not only hone in on my organizational and leadership skills, but it also allowed me to flex my creative muscles and learn new skills independently,” Castelo said. “Creating Damozel is also a very collaborative process, so I was able to form a lot of friendships with students who shared my love for literature and art.
“I’ve really loved working with such creative, talented students and supporting the next generation of writers, artists, and editors through this creative outlet,” she continued. “I’m excited to return to our beautiful campus and connect with professors and alumnae whom I haven’t seen in years!”
Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.
