Richard A. Tschider (center) was recognized for his leadership and service to the University of Mary and the community by U-Mary Executive Vice President Jerry Fischer (right) during dedication ceremonies Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006.
Bismarck, ND-- In recognition of more than four decades of friendship and visionary leadership from Richard Tschider, yesterday, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006, the University of Mary, America's Leadership University, dedicated the Richard A. Tschider Center for Health Science, an expansion of the McDowell Activity Center, to Richard and Sharon Tschider and their children.
Members of the university and Bismarck-Mandan communities joined together in thanking those who played a role in making the new health science center a reality and recognizing the longstanding partnership between the university and Bismarck's St. Alexius Medical Center and the inspiration and support that Tschider has provided for the university's outstanding health programs.
University of Mary Executive Vice President Jerry Fischer announced the formal dedication of the Richard A. Tschider Center for Health Science: "In grateful recognition of Richard A. Tschider's visionary leadership at St. Alexius Medical Center and collaboration with the University of Mary in service to the people of the region."
"Without question, this is at the top of the list of the most extraordinary things that have happened in my life," said Tschider. "I am so grateful. I don't know if I am deserving, but I am thankful. I spent my whole life with the Sisters. They have always been extremely good to me, and their support and faith are why I am where I am today. I love the university and appreciate the mutually beneficial relationship it has had with St. Alexius Medical Center since I began my affiliation with it in 1960. Our organizations have supported each other in many ways, forming a unique and wonderful partnership that I am proud to have been part of."
"I came to St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck about the time the decision was made by the Sisters to start Mary College, which used Boniface Hall at St. Alexius Medical Center. From that point on, my relationship with the Sisters of Annunciation began to grow in friendship and partnership," recalls Tschider. "It's very hard to recruit health care professionals into North Dakota. However, St. Alexius Medical Center is one of the few in North Dakota that has full staffing, and it is because of the strong relationship with the University of Mary. Collectively we put together programs for professional people and that has meant a lot for quality in our institution."
Tschider, a member of the university's board of trustees, retired this year after 45 years at St. Alexius Medical Center, first as personnel director and then as CEO for the past 29 years. In his service at St. Alexius, Richard Tschider collaborated with the Sisters in promoting quality and connectedness between the University of Mary and St. Alexius Medical Center. It is collaboration in which hospital-based and university health professionals work together in providing students excellent educational opportunities and strategize for community-based, primary and preventive health care.
The dedication was held in the new weight room inside the northeast entrance of the Tschider Center. The ceremony was followed by a tour of the facility.
The Richard A. Tschider Center for Health Science provides 13,400 square feet of new space and 5,000 square feet of renovated space. The newly constructed space includes three large rooms for classes or labs, two testing/clinic rooms, and a 4,000-square-foot weight room. The total cost of the expansion with furnishings is $2 million.
