University of Mary

University of Mary
Motto Lumen Vitae
(The Light of Life)
Type Private
Established 1959
Affiliation Catholic Church
(Order of Saint Benedict)
Endowment $37.1 million[1]
President Monsignor James Patrick Shea
Students 3,250 (2015)[2]
Undergraduates 1,865 (2015) [3]
Location Bismarck, North Dakota, USA
46°43′N 100°45′W / 46.72°N 100.75°W / 46.72; -100.75Coordinates: 46°43′N 100°45′W / 46.72°N 100.75°W / 46.72; -100.75
Campus Suburban / Rural
Nickname Marauders
Affiliations NCAA D-II
Website www.umary.edu

The University of Mary (abbreviated U-Mary or simply Mary) is a four-year Catholic university near Bismarck, North Dakota.

The university is the largest degree granting institution in Bismarck. It has campuses in Rome and Peru and also operates academic programs at satellite locations in North Dakota (Fargo and downtown Bismarck), Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri, and Arizona. It is endorsed by The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College, and recognized as a College of Distinction (2015-2016), the only such institution in North Dakota.[4]

History

Since the University of Mary's beginnings as Mary College in the late 1950s, its history has been one of rapid expansion. Founded in 1959 by The Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery as a women's college, it became fully co-educational in the 1960s. It achieved university status — becoming the University of Mary — in 1986.

The first Benedictine sisters to arrive in Bismarck, ND

The University of Mary is the only private, Catholic university in North Dakota. It has been accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1969. Since its incorporation in 1959, the university's enrollment has grown from 69 to more than 3,000. Ever mindful of its mission to serve the region's religious, academic, and cultural needs, the University of Mary continues to strive for quality in its academic and co-curricular programs. Its undergraduate programs have grown from nursing and education to 52 majors, ranging from accounting to theology.

In 1986, the university began offering master's degrees in nursing, management, and education, and went on to add master's programs in business administration, counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, strategic leadership, project management, and most recently human performance. In 2005, the master's degree in physical therapy was replaced by a Doctor of Physical Therapy — the university's first doctorate, which was first awarded to 26 graduates in 2006. In 2001, the University of Mary unveiled its vision as "America's Leadership University." In this role, the university is committed to providing leadership experiences for every student.

The University of Mary also has continued its mission by expanding learning options, making education accessible to working adults and supporting lifelong learning in the region and beyond. The University of Mary Worldwide (formerly known as the Centers for Accelerated and Distance Education) offers accelerated undergraduate and graduate programs for the adult learner. Today, the University of Mary Worldwide has a total of 18 sites in the Upper Midwest and beyond, including the Butler Center in downtown Bismarck, Fargo Center in Fargo, ND, and Billings Center in Billings, MT. In 2005, the University of Mary further extended the accessibility of its programs by launching several of its bachelor's and master's programs online. Today, students can earn graduate and undergraduate degrees online through U-Mary Worldwide.

In 2006, U-Mary also launched the Gary Tharaldson School of Business. Named for North Dakota hospitality entrepreneur and industry innovator Gary Tharaldson, the new school — the university's first — is a new model for preparing students for business careers that is uniquely designed to bridge the gap between the academic and business world. The new 29,000-square-foot (2,700 m2), flagship facility that houses the Gary Tharaldson School opened its doors in September 2008.

In the fall of 2009 to the Spring of 2010, the University of Mary commenced a search for their new Rome program's campus, finding that space just a ten-minute bus ride from the city center. The first Rome class left America for their classes abroad in the Fall of 2010. In continuity with the University's founding mission to prepare young people for leadership in the service of truth, the Rome program offers students of every major and discipline a unique opportunity for academic growth, personal development, and serious cultural engagement.

The Catholic Studies Program, an initiative of U-Mary President Monsignor James P. Shea, was also launched in the fall of 2010. On October 19, 2010, the program was named in honor of Bishop Paul A. Zipfel, sixth bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota. The Catholic Studies program is a new interdisciplinary program that examines the Catholic Church's comprehensive contributions to human thought and culture, past and present. As a sustained, rigorous study of Christian culture, the Program invites students of any faith who wish to deepen their knowledge of Catholicism's rich history and living tradition as found in each age of the Church's mission in the world.

Today, with a full-time faculty and staff of more than 200, the University of Mary remains committed to continuing the mission of its founding Sisters: serving the people of the region in a spirit that fosters servant-leadership, preparing leaders in the service of truth.

Campus

University of Mary, Bismarck Campus

The University of Mary is a rural campus located about four miles (6 km) south of Bismarck and sits on a hill overlooking the "Capital City." The campus includes more than 14 different buildings. Several of the original buildings on campus were designed by the renowned architect, Marcel Breuer.

The Harold Schafer Leadership Center is home to a leadership program that the university offers. The upper floor usually holds conferences and meetings while the lower floor is home to two computer labs.

The Benedictine Center for Servant Leadership is one of the oldest buildings on campus, since it previously served as the library and a priory for the Sisters. It primarily houses the university's administrative offices, including the Offices of the President, Academic Affairs, Undergraduate Admissions, U-Mary Worldwide, Public Affairs, Financial Aid, the Registrar, Student Accounts, the Student Success Center, Student Development, Career and Testing Services, M-Card Office, and the Business Office. It is also home to the smaller of two campus cafeterias, the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, three residence halls (below), and the Hauer Family Theater.

Benedictine Sisters of Mary College meeting with the internationally renowned architect, Marcel Breuer, in the early design process of their campus and monastery

Boniface Hall is a women's residence hall. St. Joseph's Hall for Men is a men's faith-based residence hall. St. Scholastica's Hall for Women is a women's faith-based residence hall.

The Welder Library was built in 1990 and is named for the university's president emerita, Sister Thomas Welder. This library houses a number of books and other media. The library building is also home to the humanities division of the School of Arts and Sciences.

Greg Butler Hall is a women's residence hall located just southeast of the Welder Library. Hillside Hall is a men's residence hall located just northeast of the Welder Library. An outdoor track and baseball field are located east of both halls.

The McDowell Activity Center (MAC) is the center of the athletics department and includes offices and lockers on the lower level and a weight room and swimming pool on the upper level. The main use for this center is for the men's and women's basketball teams and the women's volleyball team. The McDowell Activity Center is located just north of Hillside Hall. The Tschider Center for Health Sciences occupies one wing of this building, and provides both office and classroom space for the human performance programs.

University of Mary students enjoying 24/7 dining at UDC, the main dining hall.

The Leach Fieldhouse and the Leach Center for Student Life is a complex located just across the road from the McDowell Activity Center and houses an indoor track and other health and fitness offerings. Chick's Place, located on the upper level, is a grill and hangout for students and is also home to student life events. A fitness center and racquetball court are located below Chick's Place.

University Hall is located adjacent to the Leach Center for Student Life. The upper floor houses the university's main cafeteria. The lower floor includes areas where students can watch TV, study, hold meetings, or play games. This floor also houses the student government, a campus mart and bookstore, the Marauders Cover coffee shop, and a student health center operated by Mid-Dakota Clinic. The North Campus Residence Hall has a wing for men and a wing for women and is attached to University Hall.

The Harold J. Miller Center is one of the oldest buildings on campus and houses science, math, occupational therapy, and a computer lab. This building is connected to the east side of University Hall. Arno Gustin Hall includes the main auditorium for the campus The Clairmont Center houses the music department as well as some classrooms, Campus Ministry, and Heskett Hall, which is a small performing stage and home to a few lecture classes. The Casey Center for Nursing Education houses the nursing and physical therapy departments. In addition, the information desk is located here as well as a lounge just east of the information area. Tennis courts are accessible just outside the north end of this part of the building.In addition, there are practice fields for football, softball, soccer, track & field, and baseball on campus.

Deichert and Boyle Halls are student apartments located at the far north end of campus. Just beyond Deichert Hall, on the northern most side of campus, lie "The Cloisters." The Cloisters is available to only upper and graduate level students. The Cloisters consists of three buildings, two suite-styled apartments and a student commons/campus pub. The two apartments are named after the Benedictine heritage sites Subiaco (women's) and Monte Cassino (men's). The student commons/campus pub is named "Chesterton's," in honor of the famous Christian essayist of the 20th century, G.K. Chesterton.

Athletics

Main article: Mary Marauders
University of Mary's Men's Football(NCAA Div. II)

The University of Mary is a member of the NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The University of Mary Marauders team colors are blue and orange. The Marauders field teams in 16 varsity sports, including football, basketball, soccer, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, cross country, volleyball, baseball, softball, wrestling, and tennis.

See also

References

External links

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