University of Mary Pilgrimage to the National March for Life Highlights Commitment to Advocacy and Life
Largest Contingent with Over 300 Students, Faculty, and Alumni to Represent the University of Mary at 2025 National March for Life
BISMARCK, ND — The University of Mary, a bastion of Catholic higher education and a leader in the pro-life movement, is sending its largest contingent ever to the 2025 National March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Friday, January 24. More than 300 students, faculty, and alumni will make the 60-hour round-trip journey to participate in this year’s march, themed “Life: Why We March.” Known for their distinctive, bright blue-and-orange stocking caps emblazoned with “UMARY FOR LIFE,” this group will stand out among the tens of thousands of attendees advocating for the dignity of all human life.
The University of Mary has a rich history with the National March for Life. Notably, in 2017, the university was selected to lead the march, a prestigious honor reflecting its steadfast commitment to the pro-life cause. While not leading this year’s event, the university’s continued presence underscores its enduring dedication to this critical mission.
“Our students and faculty are passionate about the sanctity of life, and it’s beautiful to witness their commitment,” said Father Dominic Bouck, university chaplain and director of University Ministry. “This year, we have over 300 participants—six buses fully packed, plus others flying or meeting us there. Advocacy for life has been a major emphasis for University Ministry. From doubling attendance at the state march to now breaking records for the national march, the response has been humbling and powerful.”
Father Bouck, who is making his ninth trip to the National March for Life, reflected on the importance of continuing the fight for life post-Roe v. Wade. “The national conversation has shifted, but our mission remains clear. At Mary, everything we do revolves around protecting the life and dignity of the human person—through our programs, our students, and our community. We address life holistically while advocating fervently for the unborn and the mothers who carry them. This pilgrimage is an embodiment of that mission.”
Pilgrimage Logistics and Highlights
The pilgrimage begins Tuesday, January 21, with a special evening Mass in the iconic Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel. From there, six charter buses will depart the Bismarck campus for the long journey to Washington, D.C. Along the way, participants will visit Notre Dame for Mass at the Basilica and attend other spiritual and educational activities, including a visit to the Holocaust Museum and the Basilica of the National Shrine.
The centerpiece of the pilgrimage is the National March for Life on January 24. On Friday morning, before attending Mass and the March for Life, the University of Mary delegation will meet with U.S. Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota to discuss their shared commitment to the protection and dignity of human life. The group will gather for Mass at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in the morning before heading to the rally and march. Additional highlights include a meeting with North Dakota U.S. Representative Julie Fedorchak and a conference at Georgetown University the following day.
Emma Thorp, a 2024 graduate of the University of Mary and current ministry coordinator, is leading the logistics for the pilgrimage. This marks her fourth time attending the march, twice as a student and now twice as a coordinator. “From my first march, I was amazed at the sheer magnitude of people marching alongside me,” Thorp shared. “Even after Roe v. Wade was overturned, the pro-life movement remains vibrant and energized. The March for Life is a powerful witness to the dignity of life, and it’s an honor to help organize this trip and accompany our students on this journey.”
Voices of the Pro-Life Generation
Samuel Gallagher, a senior social studies education major from Evansville, WI, has attended the National March for Life every year of his college career. This year’s trip will be his fourth and final as a student. “The overturning of Roe v. Wade was a step in the right direction, but the fight is far from over,” said Gallagher. “The March for Life continues to be a beacon of hope and a necessary push against the availability of abortion in many states. It’s a joy to march with my peers and represent the pro-life cause on a national stage.”
Gallagher also spoke of his role as a leader for younger students on the trip. “This is a true pilgrimage, filled with challenges that we offer up for those who are suffering. My goal is to lead by example and help others embrace the joy and prayerfulness of this experience. It’s about showing the world that life is a blessing from God, and we must celebrate it with enthusiasm.”
For senior nursing student Callie McDonald of New Market, MN, this will be her first trip to the National March for Life. She views the pilgrimage as a capstone to her transformative experience at the University of Mary. “The March for Life is more critical than ever,” McDonald explained. “Roe v. Wade’s overturning doesn’t mean the fight is over. In many ways, it’s just begun, with states now determining their own abortion laws. This event is a powerful reminder that we must continue to advocate for the dignity of every child in the womb.”
McDonald credits her time at Mary, particularly in the nursing program, with shaping her commitment to the pro-life movement. “As a nurse, I’ll be on the front lines of caring for and protecting life. The values instilled in me at Mary—to treat every life with dignity—will guide me in my vocation. I’m grateful to march alongside my classmates and carry these experiences into my future career.”
A Witness to Life and Love
The University of Mary’s participation in the National March for Life reflects its deep commitment to the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person. As Father Bouck succinctly stated, “Put simply, everything we do at the University of Mary comes down to protecting the life and dignity of the human person.”
With their largest contingent ever and a history of leadership in the pro-life movement, including leading the march in 2017, the University of Mary continues to set an inspiring example for the Catholic community and beyond. Through this record-breaking pilgrimage, the university’s students, faculty, and alumni are living out their mission to serve joyfully, witness courageously, and advocate passionately—for life.
Anyone who wishes to learn more about the University of Mary can do so at www.umary.edu or online.umary.edu, or by contacting an admissions representative at enroll@umary.edu, or by calling (701) 355-8030. The University of Mary is one of only 15 Recommended Cardinal Newman Society Residential Colleges and Universities in the US.
About the University of Mary: True to its motto “lumen vitae”—The Light of Life—the University of Mary offers education for the whole of life through cutting-edge professional programs and graduate programs animated by moral courage and leadership in chosen professions and service to the community. A private, co-educational Catholic institution, the University of Mary welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.
A Christian, Catholic, Benedictine institution founded in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Mary offers over 60 bachelor’s, 15 master’s, and five doctoral programs—in Business Administration, Education, Nursing Practice, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. The 19-sport Athletic Department adheres to its Greatness Through Virtue mission under the governance of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) conferences. With more than 3,800 students, Mary has locations in North Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Rome, Italy, as well as vibrant online offerings.