University of Mary

University of Mary
Motto	America's Leadership University
Established	1959
Type	Private
Endowment	$20.6 million[1]
President	Father James Shea
Students	3,000
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	Rural
Nickname	"Marauders"
Affiliations	Catholic; NCAA D-II
Website	www.umary.edu

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

The university is the largest degree granting institution in Bismarck. It has a campus in Rome, Italy, and also operates academic programs at satellite locations in North Dakota (Fargo and downtown Bismarck), Montana, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri, and Arizona.

History

Since the University of Mary's beginnings as U-Mary in the mid-1950s, its history has been one of rapid expansion. Founded in 1955 by The Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery as a two-year school, the college became a four-year degree-granting institution in 1959. It achieved university status — becoming the University of Mary — in 1986.

The University of Mary is the only private, Catholic university in North Dakota. It has been accredited by The 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 44 majors, ranging from accounting to theology.

The University of Mary's main campus, just outside of Bismarck, North Dakota

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, and project management. 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 Centers for Accelerated and Distance Education offers accelerated undergraduate and graduate programs for the adult learner. Today, the University of Mary Centers for Accelerated and Distance Education 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 M.B.A. programs online. Today, students can earn graduate and undergraduate degrees online through U-Mary's Centers for Accelerated and Distance Education.

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 Tharaldson School opened its doors in September of 2008.

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

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 eleven different buildings. Several of the buildings on campus were designed by renowned architect Marcel Breuer.

The Harold Schafer Leadership Center is home to an optional business leadership program that the University offers. The upper floor usually holds conferences and some meetings while the lower floor is home to two computer labs. In fall of 2008, this will become a starting out point for more classrooms as part of the Gary Tharaldson School of Business.

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, admissions, alumni, and institutional advancement. It is also home to the smaller of two campus cafeterias and the Hauer Family Theater.

Boniface Riverview Residence is a women's residence hall. The lowest level of the building houses faculty offices and classrooms.

Boniface Hall houses the office of student life, some classrooms, the Apple/Mac computer lab, and a women's 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 including DVD's. The library building is also home to the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education and Behavioral 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 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 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 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 store, and a student health center operated by Mid-Dakota Clinic. The North Campus Residence Hall houses both men and women and is attached to University Hall.

The Science Center Complex is a group of buildings that house the science, math, music, theater, and nursing departments and a computer lab. This complex is connected to the east side of University Hall. Arno Gustin Hall includes the main auditorium for the campus and houses the theater department. The Clairmont Center houses a portion of the music department as well as some classrooms, Campus Ministry, and Heskett Hall which is a small performing stage and home to a few other classes. The Harold J. Miller Science Center is one of the main buildings of the complex and one of the oldest. This building holds the University bookstore as well as the science and math departments. Some accounting classes are also held in this building. The Casey Center for Nursing Education houses the nursing department. 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.

Deichert and Boyle Halls are student apartments located at the far north end of campus. A softball field is located just northeast of Deichert Hall.

Athletics

In 2006, the University of Mary became a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, setting a new standard of quality in programs campus-wide. In July 2007, the NCAA waived the last two required years of U-Mary's provisional status and the university became an active member Sept. 1, 2007.

The University of Mary Marauders team colors are blue, white, and orange. The Marauders field teams in 17 varsity sports, including football, basketball, soccer, indoor and outdoor track and field, cross country, volleyball, baseball, softball, wrestling, golf, and tennis.

See also

• Catholic Colleges in the United States

References

1. ^ As of June 30, 2009. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2009 Endowment Market Value and Percentage Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2008 to FY 2009" (PDF). 2009 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National Association of College and University Business Officers. http://www.nacubo.org/Documents/research/2009_NCSE_Public_Tables_Endowment_Market_Values.pdf. Retrieved February 9, 2010. 

External links

• University of Mary website
• Campus Map
• Highlights from the Inauguration of U-Mary President, Father James Shea