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Annual event helps students achieve their academic and athletic dreams through generous giving

BISMARCK, ND – The ���˲ؾ��� is once again joining the largest regional giving event in the Midwest—Giving Hearts Day—on Thursday, February 13, 2025. This 24-hour fundraising initiative directly supports ���˲ؾ��� students by funding vital scholarships and advancing campus initiatives, including Phase II of the Vision 2030 Capital Campaign.

Giving Hearts Day, organized by the Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF), has raised nearly $195 million for regional charities since its inception in 2008. In 2024 alone, the event generated a record-breaking $29 million from over 40,000 donors. The ���˲ؾ��� proudly participates in this event, ensuring that 100 percent of every donation benefits its students and campus community.

“Each year, an astounding 99% of incoming undergraduate students receive a scholarship so they can attend the ���˲ؾ��� and eventually fulfill their life and career dreams,” said Michael Mortenson, director of Alumni Relationships at the ���˲ؾ���.  “That’s all made possible thanks to our generous alumni, community members, friends and families of the ���˲ؾ���, donors, and benefactors.”

Supporting Students Through Scholarships

Donations made on Giving Hearts Day will benefit three key areas at the ���˲ؾ���:

• Marauders Armada Scholarship – Supports scholar-athletes in their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence.
• Sister Thomas Welder Leadership Scholarship – Named in honor of Sister Thomas Welder, this academic scholarship provides financial assistance to full-time undergraduate students.
• Phase II of the Vision 2030 Capital Campaign – Helps fund the development of key campus projects, including an all-new Athletics Complex and a Welcome Center.

For many scholar-athletes, scholarships provided by the Marauders Armada have been life-changing. Ilona Freitag, a senior Kinesiology major, and a ���˲ؾ��� Marauders tennis player, is one of the many beneficiaries of this program.

“With the help of all the donations to the Marauders Armada, I have been able to pursue an education while competing for the sport that I love: tennis,” said Freitag. “I have been surrounded by amazing people who supported me and encouraged me to improve in my sport while striving to be a great human being. The opportunity that I have had to play college tennis at an institution such as UMary has changed my life, and I am very thankful for all that I have been able to learn and experience.”

Making an Impact Through Vision 2030

Giving Hearts Day donations also contribute to the ���˲ؾ���’s long-term growth through Phase II of the Vision 2030 Capital Campaign. This initiative focuses on two major projects:

• A new Athletics Complex, which will bring football, softball, soccer, and outdoor track competitions back to campus, enhancing the student, fan, and scholar-athlete game-day experience. This also includes a new multi-use Research and Performance Center (RPC) located between the Field House and new stadium.
• A Welcome Center on south campus, designed to create an inviting first impression for prospective students and visitors, and will function as a one-stop-shop for essential student services, or the front door of the university’s Bismarck campus. 

These projects build upon the first two pillars of Vision 2030, which successfully established the Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences and completed the Hamm School of Engineering. 

How to Give

The ���˲ؾ��� is encouraging donors to make a difference by contributing on Giving Hearts Day. Supporters can visit www.umary.edu/givinghearts on February 13 to donate or schedule their gifts in advance.

Last year, the ���˲ؾ��� raised over $26,000 through Giving Hearts Day. This year, the goal is to surpass that number, with a portion of donations being matched to further amplify the impact.

“The annual Giving Hearts Day helps turn students’ dreams into reality for so many who wish to get a high-quality, faith-based education at a very affordable price,” Mortenson  

added. “Every contribution, no matter the size, directly impacts the lives of our students and the future of our university.”

As Giving Hearts Day 2025 approaches, the ���˲ؾ��� community eagerly anticipates another successful fundraising effort to provide transformative opportunities for its students.