History of the Day of Service
In the summer of 2014, a core group of student government members sought to contribute to the Vision 2030 campaign and develop a tradition encompassing the university’s Benedictine values. Day of Service was developed as a “community learning day” when students, faculty, and staff would volunteer together in the Bismarck-Mandan community.
In the inaugural year, the University of Mary had nearly 700 students, faculty, staff, and administrators volunteering at more than 55 different sites. Since then, the day has grown to include over 1,300 volunteers. In addition to the Bismarck-Mandan community, satellite University of Mary campuses, including Fargo, ND; Billings, MT; Tempe, AZ; and Rome, Italy, participate in the day to give back to their communities.
Each year, the event begins with a prayer service and convocation with a keynote address. The volunteers board busses and spend the day growing in community and service while fostering relationships and giving back to local organizations. Ultimately, the mission of the University of Mary Day of Service is to spark a desire among students, faculty, staff, administration, and alumni to dedicate their lives to serving those around them.
