Summer Edition of Tower Talk!
Alumni Weekend is approaching fast!
Register now and get ready to come home to Notre Dame! Reconnect with friends, relive favorite traditions, and make new memories during Alumni Weekend.
Secure your spot at beloved events like the Crab Feast, Jubilarian Luncheon, Alumni Awards Luncheon, and the Josephine Trueschler ’49 Great Books Revival.
And there’s even more to celebrate this year! Be part of exciting new traditions, including a Campus Tour Scavenger Hunt and a special opportunity to meet NDMU’s 15th President, Dr. Abagail Van Vlerah.
We are introducing a new signature event this year called Toast Under the Tent! Enjoy an early evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and music while catching up with classmates and friends. The first 75 alumni who register and attend Toast Under the Tent will receive a 130th Anniversary commemorative t-shirt!
Whether you join us for the entire weekend or just one special event, we can’t wait to welcome you back to campus!
Find details for each event Alumni Weekend Schedule - Notre Dame of Maryland University
Registration ends September 24th!
Register for Alumni Weekend 2026
Our Who's Coming page is now available!
Check out which of your friend's have already registered for Alumni Weekend!
Don't see your name? Don't worry! Our Who's Coming page updates once a week, so check back later and your name will be there.
Don't see a friend's name? Encourage them to register now!
Who’s Coming to Alumni Weekend 2026
Congratulations to our 2026 graduating class!
On May 19th, we welcomed a new cohort of students into our NDMU Alumni Community! The Class of 2026 crossed the stage and received their degrees, starting a new chapter in their lives. Check out the photos from Commencement and NDMU’s traditional Tower Photos below!
Universitas 2025-2026 Edition
The 2025-2026 Universitas is here! This issue celebrates 130 years since NDMU’s founding with special features highlighting the rich history of the institution and the compelling stories of alumni of distinction.
Follow the link to read it online!
The 2025-2026 Edition of Univesitas
Graduate Student's Journey Reflects NDMU's Mission of Learning, Leadership, and Service
When Yvonne Mutshipayi M’20, D’25, M’28 stood before an audience at the Baltimore Immigration Summit in summer 2026, she wasn’t simply sharing her personal story—she was demonstrating how education, research, and community can come together to create meaningful change.
An international graduate student in Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MATESOL) program, Mutshipayi presented on the importance of psychological safety, cultural humility, and community in supporting healing for individuals who have experienced trauma. Drawing from her participation in the Common Threads Project through the Intercultural Counseling Connection in Baltimore, she highlighted how trauma-informed, culturally responsive care can foster hope and resilience within immigrant communities.
She credits the University with providing not only academic preparation but also opportunities to engage with diverse communities and develop as a leader. “Many universities offer an excellent education,” she said. “But an environment where faith is integrated with learning and community is something I found to be unique at Notre Dame.”
For Mutshipayi that sense of community has deep roots. Growing up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mutshipayi attended a high school led by nuns connected to the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) that founded NDMU. Only recently did she recognize the connection between her early education and the values she later found at NDMU.
Today, her academic and professional interests intersect at the crossroads of trauma, mental health, education, migration, faith, and culture. Through her graduate studies, she continues to build the knowledge and skills needed to bridge research with practice and create programs that support diverse populations. “My goal is to integrate research, my personal experience, and my engagement and collaboration with the community,” she said. “I want to develop culturally responsive and trauma-informed initiatives both within and outside of schools.”
Save the Dates
Alumni Weekend 2026
Friday, October 2 - Sunday, October 4 | NDMU Campus
We are excited to welcome you back to campus for this special weekend. Registration for Alumni Weekend will close at midnight on Thursday, September 24. Reserve your tickets now for Crab Feast, Jubilarian Luncheon, Alumni Weekend Toast Under the Tent, and so much more! There will also be an opportunity on Saturday afternoon to meet Dr. Abagail Van Vlerah, NDMU's 15th President!
Click here to view our full schedule and for more information regarding Alumni Weekend
View all upcoming events here!
View all upcoming virtual events here!
Contact Information
Do you have any suggestions for content to include in Tower Talk or ways we can improve? Please contact Meagan Jenkins at mjenkins@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.