Thomas Welder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Welder
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| President of the University of Mary | |
| In office 1978–2009 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Diane Marie Welder
April 27, 1940 Linton, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | June 22, 2020 (aged 80) Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Alma mater | College of St. Scholastica (BA) Northwestern University (MMus) |
Sister Thomas Welder (born Diane Marie Welder; April 27, 1940 – June 22, 2020) was an American teacher, school leader, and a Benedictine nun. She was born and grew up in North Dakota. At age 19, she joined the Annunciation Monastery in 1959.
Sister Thomas started working at Mary College in 1963. This college was supported by the Benedictine sisters. From 1978 to 2009, she served as its president. During her time, the college grew and became the University of Mary. In 2004, she received the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award. This is the highest honor given in North Dakota.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Diane Marie Welder was born on April 27, 1940, in Linton, North Dakota. Her parents were Mary Ann and Sebastian Welder. Her father passed away in 1951. Her mother later became a Benedictine sister in 1968. Four of Diane's aunts also joined religious orders.
Diane went to Cathedral Elementary School. She then attended St. Mary's Central High School in Bismarck, North Dakota. She graduated from high school in 1958. After high school, she studied at the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota. There, she decided she wanted to dedicate her life to religious service.
Becoming a Nun
Welder returned to Bismarck to join the Benedictine nuns. They lived at Annunciation Monastery. The Benedictine sisters started Mary College in 1959. Diane was part of their very first group of students.
When she joined the novitiate (a training period for nuns), she was given the religious name "Sister Thomas." She made her first religious promise in 1961. She made a permanent promise in 1964. She earned a bachelor's degree from the College of St. Scholastica in 1963. In 1968, she received a master's degree in music from Northwestern University.
Leading the University of Mary
Sister Thomas Welder started working at Mary College in 1963. She taught music there. She also led the humanities department. In 1978, she became the school's fifth president.
Under her leadership, the college grew a lot. In 1986, it became the University of Mary. The number of students increased from 925 to almost 3,000. As president, Sister Thomas was known for remembering people's names and faces. She taught students about servant leadership. This means leading by serving others. She also taught them about Benedictine values.
In 2004, she received the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award. This is the highest honor in North Dakota. Her picture is displayed in the North Dakota State Capitol. She retired in 2009 and was named President Emerita. This means she was honored for her past role as president.
Later Life and Passing
Sister Thomas Welder had polycystic kidney disease. She received two kidney transplants. One was in 2001 and another in 2011. She passed away in Bismarck, North Dakota, on June 22, 2020. She had been diagnosed with kidney cancer.
Many important people expressed their sadness. This included North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. Former Governor and current Senator John Hoeven also shared his condolences. Senators Hoeven and Kevin Cramer spoke about her in the United States Senate.
A public viewing was held for Sister Thomas on June 28, 2020. It took place at the University of Mary. People were invited to pray and listen to readings from the St. John's Bible. The next morning, June 29, 2020, more readings were held. Her funeral Mass (liturgy) followed. It was led by Monsignor James P. Shea, who is the current President of the University of Mary. After the funeral, she was buried in the Sisters' cemetery.
Awards and Honors
- Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award from the State of North Dakota – 2004
- Inducted into the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame of the Norsk Høstfest – 2007
- Doctor of the University, honoris causa, from the University of Mary – 2010
- Caritas Award from Catholic Charities – 2013
- Honorary doctorate from Belmont Abbey College – 2015
- Honorary doctorate from St. Anselm College – 2017
