The University of Mary was presented with the 2012 Golden Eagle Award, above (from left) Kevin Forde, assistant athletic director for operations; Roger Thomas, athletic director; Lonnie Privratsky, U-Mary VA certifying official, Office of the Registrar; Wayne Maruska, graduate program advisor; and Mike Offerdahl, assistant athletic director for advancement.

The Golden Eagle is awarded to a chamber member who has an active record of military support in the Bismarck-Mandan area. The purpose of the award is to recognize those in support of the military through community involvement and business interaction.

The University of Mary was nominated from a list of nearly 1,300 chamber members, which was narrowed down to five finalists that were then voted on by the community. 2012 finalists were the University of Mary, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bismarck State College, BNSF Railway and I. Keating Furniture World.

In addition to providing and facilitating educational opportunities for members of the military and their families, the University of Mary sponsors and co-sponsors many activities to show its appreciation of the military. University efforts such as military appreciation events, the co-sponsoring of a mobile dental clinic for military families, and the co-chairing of Treats for Troops have raised funds and awareness in the community and beyond.

"The University of Mary is proud to take an active role in supporting the members of our military who sacrifice so much on our behalf, and we are humbled by this recognition of our efforts," said Father James Shea, president. "It is a privilege to work with those who are currently serving, veterans, and military families to achieve their educational goals, and the university is committed to joining with the community to provide a wide spectrum of support."

"The University of Mary continues to shine in the region in its dedication to the military and their families by offering an excellent education and always going above and beyond in supporting the military," stated chamber Military Affairs Committee Chair Shelle Michaels Aberle. "As a military family member, I have been on the receiving end of the university's genuine kindness to the troops/families. I also have worked in collaboration with many departments at U-Mary on the business side of military support. As chair of the chamber's military affairs committee, I am proud to recognize and thank the University of Mary as our second business recipient of the Golden Eagle Award."

The University of Mary's support of the military has also earned it the Crystal Angel Award from Soldiers Angels, Military Ovation's Think Globally, Act Locally Award, and repeated national recognition as a "military-friendly" school by G.I. Jobs and Military Advanced Education magazines.