News Releases for May 2004
May 1, 2004
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Hoeven Presents Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award To Sister Thomas Welder
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today presented the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award to Sister Thomas Welder, president of the University of Mary in Bismarck. The award is presented to individuals who have achieved national recognition, reflecting credit and honor upon North Dakota and its citizens. Hoeven presented the award to Sister Thomas, the 33rd recipient of the award, at the University of Mary commencement ceremony at the Bismarck Civic Center.
“Throughout her long and impressive career, Sister Thomas has embodied the ideal of servant leadership and commitment to community,” Hoeven said. “Under her direction, the institution is expanding its educational programs and positioning itself as America’s leadership university. Today, we honor her remarkable contribution to the academic, business and spiritual life of North Dakota.”
Since 1963, Sister Thomas has served the University of Mary, formerly Mary College, and was named president in 1978. Under her leadership, Mary College expanded to university status in 1986, and since then, has added undergraduate and graduate degree programs at locations throughout the state and region, including Fargo, Minot, Grand Forks, New Town, Belcourt, Montana and Wyoming. During her presidency, enrollment has grown from 925 students to nearly 3,000 in 2004.
Sister Thomas serves on numerous boards, associations and other professional and community organizations, reflecting the broad range of her involvement in civic and academic affairs. These include the Bismarck-Mandan Area Chamber of Commerce; the North Dakota Vision 2000 Committee; the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities; the Council of Independent Colleges; the Association of Benedictine Colleges and Universities; Board of Directors of St. Alexius Medical Center and MDU Resources Group; and the Harold Schafer Medora Founder’s Society, among many others.
She has also been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Greater North Dakota Award, recognizing outstanding service to the state of North Dakota and the state’s business community; the Bismarck Area Catholic Education Foundation Special Achievement Award; and the Liberty Bell Award of the North Dakota State Bar Association.
“Sister Thomas has been an inspiration to countless individuals, students, entrepreneurs, and business and state leaders,” Hoeven said. “Her achievements, character and leadership serve as an example for North Dakota and the nation.”
A native of Bismarck, Sister Thomas attended the College of St. Benedict, graduated from the College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, and earned a master’s degree in music from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She is a member of the Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation Monastery.
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