May 5, 2008

Bismarck, ND — The University of Mary’s 2008 commencement ceremony, Saturday, May 3, 2008, 2 PM, at the Bismarck Civic Center, celebrated the awarding of a record-breaking 940 degrees. This is the second time the number of degrees granted by America’s Leadership University in a given year has topped 900, and the fourth time it has passed the 800 mark.

A total of 541 undergraduate and 371 master’s degrees were presented to this year’s graduates of the university’s traditional and adult degree programs. The university also conferred the Doctor of Physical Therapy on the 28 graduates of its third doctoral class. One hundred eleven undergraduate degrees were awarded cum laude; 55, magna cum laude; and 30, summa cum laude. And 52 students who participated in the Harold Schafer Emerging Leaders Academy honors leadership program in business/communications, education, human services, and health care, graduated with the designation Certified Schafer Leader.

This year’s graduating class includes outstanding men and women from 30 states, as well as students representing Japan, Nepal, and other foreign countries. One hundred fifty-one bachelor’s degrees and 321 master’s degrees were awarded to graduates of the University of Mary’s School of Accelerated and Distance Education, including the second class of graduates of its online degree programs.

“As the graduates of 2008 journey into their future, we are grateful for their accomplishments as students and confident that they will carry forward what they have learned into their professions and personal lives and continue to grow and lead through service,” said University of Mary President Sister Thomas Welder. “While diverse in their backgrounds, interests and career fields, they share a common foundation of strong skills, values, ethics and concern for others that will continue to distinguish them as graduates of America’s Leadership University.”

Bishop Paul A. Zipfel (left) and the Reverend Robert D. Lynne were the recipients of honorary doctorates at Graduation 2008.

Two ND Religious Leaders Are Granted Honorary Doctorates
The University of Mary honored two respected leaders in the North Dakota religious community at Commencement 2008. The Reverend Robert D. Lynne, retired bishop of the Western North Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and the Most Reverend Paul A. Zipfel, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bismarck, each were awarded a Doctor of Leadership honoris causa. An honorary doctorate is the highest honor bestowed by the University of Mary beyond the granting of earned degrees.

Bishop Zipfel Addresses Class of 2008
Bishop Zipfel also gave the commencement address. Bishop Zipfel, who holds a Master of Arts in Education from St. Louis University; has extensive experience as a teacher, counselor and school administrator; and is known as a “skilled raconteur” and amateur magician, delivered an address entitled “What Do You Want on Your Tombstone?”

Outstanding Senior Nominees Recognized
In graduation-related events, the University of Mary Alumni Association recognized this year’s Outstanding Senior, Courtney Jones of Bismarck, ND, and her fellow nominees at the annual President’s Breakfast, hosted by Sister Thomas Welder, Saturday, May 3. A Baccalaureate Eucharistic Liturgy followed the breakfast.

Nominees for the 2008 Outstanding Senior Award were: Kayla Block, Sidney, MT; Kayla Boschee, Glen Ullin, ND; Katie Dretsch, Frazee, MN; Megan Ferguson, Lexington, NE; Amanda Hendrickson, Buffalo Lake, MN; Krista Heupel, New Leipzig, ND; Scoti Hutzenbiler, Belfield, ND; Courtney Jones, Bismarck, ND; Ashley Maas, Rapid City, SD; Heather Martin, Mandan, ND; Tyler Monson, Jamestown, ND; James Murphy, Steilacoom, WA; Jennifer Nelson, Yale, SD; Alicia Palmer, Pierre, SD; Cassandra Quintus, Bismarck, ND; Maureen Tacke, Greencreek, ID; Kate Weinand, Hazen, ND.

America’s Leadership University is ‘On the Grow’
As the University of Mary approaches its 50th anniversary, which kicks off Nov. 17, 2008, it continues to be one of the region’s fastest-growing schools of higher learning, with ongoing expansion of its areas of study, degree programs, and delivery options. The number of graduates has grown from six in 1960 to 645 in 2000, first passing the 700 mark in 2001.

The university offers 44 undergraduate majors and various pre-professional concentrations and a dual-degree, pre-engineering program. It also offers master’s degrees in business administration, counseling, education, management, nursing, occupational therapy, and project management, as well as a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

In fulfillment of its Plan for Growth, U-Mary continues to take leadership to a new level. Due to the university’s strong commitment to swiftly and effectively meet NCAA guidelines and regulations, 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. Construction of the new 29,000-square-foot flagship facility for the Tharaldson School of Business — anticipated to become one of the nation’s premier business schools — is on schedule for completion in August 2008. And January 2008 saw the debut of the I.D.E.A. Center, a unique student-run, non-profit Incubator for Developing Entrepreneurial Activity that brings together entrepreneurs, educators, and community leaders through the Tharaldson School and the Harold Schafer Leadership Academy.

U-Mary’s School of Accelerated and Distance Education also continues to reach out and lead forward with on-site accelerated adult programs at 16 sites in six states and online adult learning programs leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. MBA programs in management, health care, and accountancy, as well as bachelor’s degree programs in management and accounting, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in nursing and a Master of Project Management program, are available on-site and online. An executive MBA, Master of Management, and Bachelor of Science in information technology are also offered on-site. U-Mary’s online MBA programs were recently rated among the Top 40 “Best Buys” in their class by GetEducated.com, an online consumers’ clearinghouse on accredited online degrees. (Details are available at umary.edu/sade.) The University of Mary also was among 30 schools included in Military Advanced Education (MAE) magazine ‘s 2007 listing of 30 Top Colleges and Universities for members of the military service.