托马斯·韦尔德修女, 的OSB

Under 妹妹托马斯' leadership and vision, the University of Mary was confirmed in its purpose to form leaders in the service of truth in renewed and ever-growing ways, and her leadership touched thousands of students’ lives as the university grew and expanded over her presidency. 妹妹托马斯 was known for her attentiveness, 她的谦逊, 她的服务之心, and her love for her vocation as a Benedictine Sister of Annunciation Monastery.

妹妹托马斯 influenced countless people during her lifetime, 更深刻的是, so many students during her time as the longest serving female university president in America at the time of her retirement.  She served as president from 1978 to 2009. 她欢快的笑声, 诙谐幽默, 深刻的智慧, and genuine love and respect for others were hallmarks of her character as she lived the Benedictine values. Her knack for remembering names, particularly the thousands of students, 校友和教职员工, is one of her most gifted qualities that will be forever treasured. 

妹妹托马斯, a Bismarck, ND native, attended the College of St. Benedict, graduated from the College of St. Scholastica, 德卢斯, and earned a master’s degree in music from Northwestern University in Evanston, 伊利诺斯州. She is a member of the Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation Monastery.

妹妹托马斯 began her career as a teacher at the university in 1963, when it was named Mary College. 作为总统, 妹妹托马斯 helped the school gain university status, experienced steady growth, added numerous undergraduate and on-site graduate degree programs throughout North Dakota, helped make Mary one of the premier institutions for the preparation of leaders, and fostered leadership development in students and colleagues. The Norsk Høstfest Association inducted her into the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame, she received the Lifetime of Caring Award from the United Way, 5月4日, 2004, she earned the state’s highest honor from Governor John Hoeven — the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award — presented to individuals who have received national recognition, reflecting credit and honor upon North Dakota and its citizens.

During the later years of her presidency, 妹妹托马斯 endured chronic kidney complications that led to a transplant in 2001. In 2005, she learned that due to a virus she would need a second kidney transplant, but had to regularly undergo dialysis until a successful second kidney transplant could be done in 2011.

After her 31-year tenure as the fifth University of Mary president, 妹妹托马斯 continued to be involved with University of Mary as president emerita — remaining active with public speaking events, 委员会, and fundraising in the department of 任务 Advancement.

Please join the University of Mary community and the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery in prayer as we entrust the soul of 妹妹托马斯, a good and faithful servant, 归于我们的父神.