School of Education Supporting Student, Teacher Flourishing at Eight Local Schools
Notre Dame of Maryland University’s School of Education is playing a prominent role in addressing mental health challenges at eight schools within the Anne Arundel County Public School system, with faculty members leading Student and Teacher Alliance for Flourishing initiatives through funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.
School of Education assistant professors Dr. Kristine Larson and Dr. Molly Dunn are providing training and technical support to 16 program advisors from the participating schools. The initiative has expanded to its eight current locations after initially beginning at Broadneck High School, a member of NDMU’s Professional Development Schools Partnership Network, during the 2020-21 COVID-impacted academic year.
Microbiology Students Present Independent Research Projects

As the fall semester winds down on campus, microbiology students completed a semester-long project last week by presenting their independent research to a panel of judges in UAB. The research symposium was designed to provide an opportunity for the class to clearly discuss and explain their findings to panelists who work outside the field.
Damozel Earns National Award from Sigma Tau Delta

The 2021-22 edition of Damozel, the NDMU English Department's annual creative literary magazine, was selected as the third place winner of the Outstanding Literary Arts Journal Award by Sigma Tau Delta, The International English Honor Society. The awards committee described competition for the award as particularly keen this year, with many outstanding journal offerings, and they complimented Damozel's efforts to cultivate the creative arts within the NDMU community, both in the production and reading/reception areas.
Damozel has been produced annually by the English Department since 1931. Congratulations to 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.
Gormley Gallery Hosts Reception for Annual Student Exhibit; Art History Classes Visit National Gallery of Art

On December 5, the Art and Art Therapy departments celebrated the accomplishments of NDMU students enrolled in studio art, photography, and art therapy classes in the fall semester with a reception for the annual Student Exhibit at Gormley Gallery. The exhibition featured drawings, watercolor paintings, photography, and mixed-media works by both undergraduate and graduate students.
Two of Dr. Jennifer Wester's art history courses also visited the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., on December 7. Students enrolled in Abstract Expressionism and its Legacies spent time in the galleries dedicated to that artistic movement, exploring the work of Helen Frankenthaler, Sam Gilliam, Grace Hartigan, Barnett Newman, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Clyfford Still, and Alma Thomas, among others. Dr. Wester's 20th-Century Art class also joined the tour of the Abstract Expressionism galleries and further explored the modern and contemporary art on view, including a new exhibition on Black artists of the American South.
NDMU Hosts Christmas Dinner and Tree Trim Celebration
NDMU students, faculty and staff gathered on December 2 for the annual Christmas Dinner and Tree Trim Celebration. After decorating a Christmas tree with a variety of ornaments, students were treated to a special dinner in Doyle Dining Hall served by faculty and staff volunteers. A singing of traditional Christmas carols followed, and the evening concluded with the lighting of Caroline Hall’s Merrick Tower.
Student/Faculty/Staff Updates
School of Education
Adjunct faculty member Stephanie Hastings is now a National Board Certified Teacher with the certification distinction of NBCT Library Media - Early Childhood through Young Adult. National Board Certification for Teachers is the highest teaching credential in the nation, and only 3% of teachers in the United States can claim National Board Certification.
School of Nursing

School of Nursing faculty, staff and students welcomed members from the Caroline Center’s Certified Nursing Assistant program to UAB last week for a simulation and skills day at the Center for Caring with Technology. The morning included a tour of the CCT’s three state-of-the-art simulation labs, discussion on the importance of caring and compassion in nursing, and opportunities for the students to sharpen their skills at several patient stations
The Caroline Center’s Nursing Assistant program is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame and was voted as The Baltimore Sun's Reader's Choice Best Nonprofit of 2022. The Center is a workforce development program that empowers women to succeed in the workplace.
School of Pharmacy
Dr. Reem Abdullah, a 2016 School of Pharmacy graduate, was recently recognized as a Patch Local Hero for her work supporting the Baltimore community during the pandemic by vaccinating, testing and providing outpatient treatment to residents across the area.
Conference and Auxiliary Services
Updated Dining Information
Donut Stress
Wednesday, December 14 | 12 - 1:30 p.m. | MBK Lobby
Stop by MBK to grab some donuts and coffee!
Staff & Faculty Mass and Christmas Luncheon
Thursday, December 15 | 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Mass begins at 11 a.m. in Marikle Chapel, with lunch at Doyle Dining Hall to follow at 12 p.m.
Academic Calendar
View the latest version of the Academic Calendar for 2022-23.
NDMU Events
Check out the NDMU Events calendar below for all upcoming events.
