Tower Talk - May 2017
Featured Stories
President Marylou Yam Named Among Maryland Top 100 Women
14th Annual Busta Lecture a Success!
Planetarium Night
Upcoming Events & Meetings
Alumnae and Alumni News
Notable Alums
Class Notes
#NDMUALUM
Giving Back/Volunteer Opportunities
The Notre Dame Fund
Montrose Society
Davis Peace Project
University News
London Trip 2018
A Child's Place Alumni Discount
In Memoriam
In the News
Featured Stories
President Marylou Yam Named Among Maryland Top 100 Women
The Daily Record named Marylou Yam, president of Notre Dame of Maryland University to its 2017 listing of Maryland’s Top 100 Women.
The Daily Record began Maryland’s Top 100 Women in 1996 to recognize outstanding achievements by women demonstrated through professional accomplishments, community leadership and mentoring.
A record number of 435 women were nominated this year for the statewide honor. Nominees were asked to complete an application outlining their educational and career history, professional and community involvement, corporate and nonprofit board memberships, and mentoring experience. They were encouraged to submit letters of recommendation from those who are familiar with their accomplishments professionally, in the community and through mentoring.
A preliminary round of judging by Maryland's Top 100 Women's Circle of Excellence honorees reviewed the applications and selected 150 applicants to compete in the final round. A panel of business professionals and past Maryland’s Top 100 Women winners from throughout Maryland reviewed the final applications and selected this year’s honorees.
"Maryland's Top 100 Women have achieved amazing accomplishments in their careers, but to be honored as a Top 100 Woman requires more than just career success," said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, publisher of The Daily Record. "She must be an exemplary citizen, committed to her community, creating change and growing the next generation of leaders through active mentoring. The Daily Record is pleased to recognize these leaders."
“I am humbled and honored to join this esteemed list of Maryland’s Top 100 Women,” said President Yam. “It includes wonderful alumnae from NDMU, as well as board members, former board members, and friends of our University. My deepest appreciation to those who affirmed my inclusion.”
The awards event was held Monday, April 24, starting at 5 p.m. at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., in Baltimore.
14th Annual Busta Lecture a Success!
On Tuesday, April 18, NDMU welcomed former WNBA President, PGA Vice President, and founder of Generation W, Donna Orender to campus as the speaker for NDMU's 14th annual Charles J. Busta III Lecture in Business.
The Charles J. Busta III Lecture in Business series invites speakers who are recognized as experts in their chosen fields who have made a real difference, overcome significant obstacles, or demonstrated dramatic, unexpected success. The Busta Lecture series serves as a platform for inspiring business leaders, especially women leaders, in order to encourage creativity and personal growth.
This year's lecture, entitled "Playing to Win: Leadership Lessons Inspiring Success" gave audience participants insight into Orender’s journey from the playing field to the board room—and often the only female in either space. Additionally, the audience was treated to Orender’s own life lessons and personal anecdotes.
Former speakers at the lecture series have included Shira Shafir, Judith A. Britz, Ph.D., Alison G. Brown, Gloria A. Flach, and Kathryn B. Freeland.
Plans for next year’s Busta Lecture are underway.
For photos from this year's event, please visit our Flickr.
Planetarium Night
On Thursday, April 27 the Networking Committee hosted a networking event entitled: "Broadening Your Horizons: A Night Under the Stars".
The event centered around two consecutive sessions of planetarium shows led by NDMU professor Dr. Brian Christy who took participants "on a journey through the known universe". An ongoing networking reception in Knott Lobby, followed by a lecture by Dr. Christy in Knott Lobby entitled "The Blind Astronomer: Looking at the Universe Beyond Light" rounded out the evening.
NDMU's Kathleen Price Bryan Planetarium, originally constructed in (year), was updated in 2007 after a generous gift was made to the program by Kathleen Price Bryan; the most notable update to the planetarium was the new, state-of-the-art projection system that allows for in-depth examinations of the universe, as well as the capability to update the software with the latest discoveries.
Everyone who attended this event had a lovely time and learned a great deal about the universe, astrophysics, and NDMU's hidden gem, the Kathleen Price Bryan Planetarium.
Upcoming Events and Meetings
Networking Committee Meeting
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Young Alum Committee Meeting
Monday, June 12, 2017
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Alumnae and Alumni News
Notable Alums
Notre Dame has a rich history of exciting, successful alums! Check out our “Notable Alums” page to see some of the incredible leaders who have come from Notre Dame of Maryland!
Do you know someone who you think should be included on this page? Email ndmalum@ndm.edu with your suggestions!
Class Notes
Shelley Puhak ‘98 was awarded her second Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist grant. Congratulations, Shelley!
Hannah Ruckstuhl ’05 was awarded with the Golden Apple Award, a Teacher of the Year honor for the Archdiocese of Washington for her work at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School. Congratulations, Hannah!
If you or someone you know has exciting news, submit a class note to share the news!
#NDMUALUM
Notre Dame’s Office of Alumnae and Alumni Relations is expanding its social media presence! Be sure to follow us for the latest in NDMU news, events, networking opportunities, committee meetings, and Reunion updates!
With two ways to follow us on Facebook, you will never miss a post! “Like” our page “Notre Dame of Maryland University Alumnae and Alumni Association” for updates on upcoming events, opportunities, and photos. Are you a member of the new Young Alum Network Committee? Be sure to “like” our “NDM Young Alum” page for information specific to our young alums.
Follow NDMUAlums on Twitter for NDMU news, alum updates, and the latest info on upcoming events
Are you on LinkedIn, the largest professional networking site? Be sure to include Notre Dame of Maryland in your educational background, and follow NDMU for job opportunities, networking opportunities, and updates on professional events at NDMU.
Giving Back/Volunteer Opportunities
The Notre Dame Fund
Congratulations to the Class of 2017!
We do not mass produce graduates. We transform the world. One student at a time.
Each gift matters, just like every student matters. Together we have the power to make a big impact! A high level of participation visibly demonstrates the dedication of our community to Notre Dame of Maryland University. We’ll transform the world, one gift at a time.
Notre Dame recently received a 1:1 matching gift challenge from a faithful and dedicated alumna. This means that every dollar of new or increased giving received from Notre Dame alums during this academic year will be matched 100% by this anonymous alumna, up to $20,000!
Attention Reunion 2017 Celebrants!
A special and rewarding element of Reunion is making a gift to Notre Dame. Gifts to The Notre Dame Fund make a real impact on the University and our students, and many of our alums make special gifts in their Reunion year. If you would like to make a gift in honor of your reunion class you may do so online or you may contact Victoria Azera, Annual Giving Coordinator, at (410) 532-3197.
Have you considered becoming a Montrose Society member?
Why not join the 200+ loyal graduates, friends, faculty and staff by remembering Notre Dame of Maryland University in your estate plans.
Your intention can help to pass on the University’s legacy to future generations. Learn more or call Kelley Kilduff at 410-532-3185 for additional information.
Davis Peace Project
For the ninth year in a row, NDMU students have been selected to receive an annual Davis Projects for Peace grant; this year's recipients, Micah Castelo and Lorelie Elaine Soriano, will be traveling to the Philippines to construct the first official library of the Caibiran Central School in the city of Caibiran.
The Davis Peace Project grant will provide these students with $10,000 in order to fund this project, with the remainder of fund for the project coming from fundraising efforts. If you would be interested in supporting this project, there are several ways to help!
- Micah and Laine’s Fundraising Page
- NDMU Giving: To donate to Castelo and Soriano’s project, fill out the online form, select "Other" under designation, and add "Davis Projects for Peace."
- If you would like to donate new and used books and school supplies, please contact Micah at mcastelo1@live.ndm.edu or Laine at lsoriano1@live.ndm.edu.
To learn more about the Davis Projects for Peace, previous grant winners, and successful past projects, please visit Projects for Peace.
University News
London 2018: Literary England and London Theatre
The annual NDMU English department trip to London is back for 2018! Mark your calendars for January 8 -18, 2018 for this incredible opportunity to travel with NDMU faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends for a 10-day tour of London, Bath, Chowton (Jane Austen's final home), and Stratford-upon-Avon.
This trip is open to the entire campus community and includes: round-trip airfare on British Airways, nine (9) nights' hotel stay with a daily full English breakfast, tickets to three (3) theatre productions (including a Royal Shakespeare Company performance), ground transportation for three (3) day trips, admissions to some attractions, and one group dinner. All this and more for $2700 per person, double occupancy.
For more information about this event, or to register, please contact Dr. William Davis (410-532-5510). Space is limited!
A Child’s Place Preschool for the Youngest Shining Stars at NDMU - 10% discount for Alums!
Spaces available for Fall 2017 classes and Summer Camp 2017!
At A Child’s Place, we promote each child's emotional, social, cognitive and physical development through a holistic approach. Preschool programs for 3, 4, and 5 year olds, including a State-approved kindergarten program and early kindergarten for children with fall birthdays, offer small classes in a nurturing environment where young children play, learn, and grow.
- Preschool: September to June
- Summer Camp: June through mid-August
Ask about our 10% discount for alums!
Check us out online or call us at 410-532-5399.
In Memoriam
Margaret Hsieh '65
Barabara "Bitsy" Murray '53
Mary Kastelberg '46
Charlotte Naulty Dubeau '45
Mary Ann Cline M'88
Sr. Mary Christopher Bourke, RSM '42
In the News
