University of Mary 2025 Homecoming Royalty Announced
BISMARCK, ND — The University of Mary announced its 2025 Homecoming King, Queen, and court during coronation ceremonies held Wednesday, October 8, in Founders Hall of the Lumen Vitae University Center (LVUC). The celebration coincided with the university’s annual Day of Service — North Dakota’s largest single-day volunteer event — as more than 1,500 students, faculty, and staff served organizations throughout Bismarck, Mandan, and Fort Yates, as well as University of Mary sites in Rome, Italy, and at Arizona State University.
Homecoming King is Theodore Paul Kariuki. He was born and raised in Bloomington, Minnesota, just 15 minutes away from the Mall of America. He is graduating in April with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems, and minors in Computer Science and Catholic Studies. He is a 2-year member of the Fraternity of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati. Paul has been involved in the Marauders Activities, Student Government, Ultimate Frisbee, the Knights of Columbus, FOCUS, Catholic Studies Student Leaders, and University Ministry. When he’s not running around campus, Paul finds leisure in watching movies, writing code, and spending time with friends, especially his girlfriend Maddie. His service and involvement at the University has gifted him with a habit of radical hospitality, skilled service, and joyful witness, activated by his amazing mother and cultivated by his mentors at the University of Mary and beyond. However his time at Mary will influence his future, Paul is content to wait and see what the Lord has in store for him.
Homecoming Queen is Anna Havelka. She grew up in the small town of Hettinger, North Dakota. She is pursuing a double major in Elementary Education and Catholic Studies with a minor in Special Education, which she will complete after student teaching in the fall of 2026. She is the oldest of 5, with 3 younger sisters and a younger brother. She is in Catholic Studies Student Leaders and is involved with FOCUS, both participating in and leading Bible studies and discipleship. Anna works for the University of Mary Admissions office, and she loves showing students and families around campus, sharing with them her joyful experiences at the University of Mary, as well as some fun facts! In her free time, Anna enjoys laughing with friends, spending time at the lake, and going to the University of Mary Late Show. While her plans for after graduation are unknown, she knows the formation she received at the University of Mary will help her to serve in an intentional way wherever God calls her to.
Homecoming Court:
Lillian Beauregard is from Choctaw, Oklahoma, and will graduate in April with majors in history and philosophy, concentrating in bioethics. Early in her time at Mary, she became known for her devoted love of her brother and fellow alum, Colin, and for being the “Barbie Girl” from her famous 2024 Dawson Debate. Lillian currently serves as president of the Dawson Society and has contributed her time and talents to St. Scholastica, Gregorian Honors, Catholic Studies Student Leaders, and other groups. Throughout college, she has worked for Sanford Health, the Catholic Institute of Leadership, and the Acton Institute, experiences that have prepared her for her future goal of supporting medical conscience rights through think tanks. Among the greatest blessings of her time at Mary, Lillian highlights the campus’s strong emphasis on encountering the individual through the whole community—a value she hopes to carry forward throughout her life.
Brittany Berger is a transfer student from Yakima, Washington, graduating this spring with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. During her time at the University of Mary, she has found great joy in immersing herself in community life both on campus and in Bismarck. Brittany serves as a Resident Assistant in the Apartments, is Vice President of the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association, participates in FOCUS Bible studies, and occasionally joins University theater productions. Off campus, she can often be found working at her favorite coffee shop, BittyBean—which she proudly claims as part of her personality.
To be encountered by Brittany is to meet a bubbly RA who can relate almost anything to a movie quote, might break out a random impression, and is almost always smiling. After graduation, she hopes to continue her studies to become a Speech Language Pathologist and serve the people of her hometown community.
Addyson Gilbert is from Dell Rapids, South Dakota, and will graduate in April with her Bachelor of Arts and Science in Psychology and Catholic Studies. She grew up as the oldest of three children. Her life at the University of Mary has been a time of true friendship with the Lord, and those around her. When she is not studying, Addyson is with her friends at various events on campus, serving on the University of Ministry team, being formed by Catholic Studies Student Leaders, leading bible study, playing intramurals, dreaming about Europe, and drinking coffee while editing photos. Though she does not know what path she will take with her degrees, she cannot wait to give back to her future parish what the University of Mary has given her: to incorporate the zeal of the faith and deep abiding love of another in whatever community she steps foot in.
Emily Schommer, from New Ulm, Minnesota, will graduate in April with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She loves small towns and will instantly befriend anyone who offers her dessert. Her time at the University of Mary has been filled with countless small moments of joy shared with the people she holds dear. Emily has grown spiritually, mentally, and emotionally thanks to the opportunities Mary provided. During her early years, she could be found on the softball field, grabbing mozzarella sticks in the Nest, or exploring campus events. As an upperclassman, Emily cultivated community as a resident assistant, completed practicums in Bismarck-Mandan schools, and, of course, continued her mozzarella stick tradition. After graduation, she plans to teach fifth grade, bringing the gifts she received at Mary to the next generation of learners.
Ava Yurczyk is from Seattle, Washington, and will graduate in April with a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy. She is currently in the interview stage of applying to medical school and plans to pursue a career in Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine. When she’s not studying or in clinicals, Ava can be found working at BittyBean, planning the Day of Service, making sourdough, or spending time with friends. Ava is grateful for her four years at the University of Mary, where her heart has been shaped by service and surrender. Her favorite annual moment is the candlelight Mass for the Day of Service, when the room brightens as each participant enters, symbolizing hearts brought to Jesus in joyful service. She looks forward to carrying these memories and experiences forward as she pursues her mission to care for the most vulnerable, following Christ’s example.
Aaron Bebo is from Silver Lake, Minnesota and now permanently resides in North Dakota. He will graduate this spring with his Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, along with minors in Theology and Catholic Studies. He hopes to become a Catholic apologist after graduation. Aaron’s time at the University of Mary has been enriched by strong friendships, memorable experiences, and a deepening of his faith. He spent the spring of 2024 studying abroad in Rome, an experience that continues to shape his outlook and friendships. This past summer, on July 26, Aaron married his wife, Lizzey. When he’s not in class, Aaron can most often be found off campus immersed in study. He loves dedicating his time to learning for the sake of the Kingdom and desires to lead others closer to Christ through the pursuit of truth.
John "with an H" Colton travelled from Northwest Arkansas to study engineering at the University of Mary; he will graduate with a degree in Electrical Engineering in April 2026. John grew up in Saint Louis, Missouri, playing guitar in the family bluegrass band and making a mess with model trains in the basement. At Mary, he has pursued his musical interests in Jazz Band and the Late Show Band, his academic interests in classes of all kinds from Differential Equations to J. R. R. Tolkien, and the interests of the engineering students as their senator on Student Government. John participates in extracurriculars from Ultimate Frisbee to Engineering Club. He thanks the University of Mary faculty, staff, and students for instilling within him the Benedictine values cherished here, values he looks forward to bringing into his future career in the aerospace industry.
Caleb Raes hails from Deloraine, Manitoba, Canada, and will graduate in April with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Throughout his four years at the University of Mary, he has immersed himself in many activities around campus, including singing in the Cappella choir, being an active member of the social dance club, as well as Co-founding the University of Mary Engineering Club. In his increasingly rare moments of free time, Caleb enjoys playing hockey, altar serving, building 3D printers, and spending time with his friends. You can commonly encounter him frantically running between classes or joyfully sliding across a frozen parking lot. After graduating, Caleb intends to enter seminary for the archdiocese of Winnipeg. He hopes to use his engineering background to show the harmony of faith and science. He is eternally grateful for his time at the University of Mary and its professors, culture and community that fostered his vocation.
Jon Viehman, originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, will graduate in April with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He comes from a family of four and enjoys staying active through sports, playing music with friends, and recently, running a half marathon. During his time at Mary, Jon has fully embraced student activities through performing at Coffee House, leading Exultate, serving as a peer leader, staying involved in intramurals, and guiding a small group at the new-student retreat. Beyond the classroom, he gains hands-on experience working in the St. Alexius Emergency Room, assisting nurses in caring for the people of Bismarck. Jon looks forward to carrying the knowledge and experiences he has gained, both academic and social, into his future career as an aspiring Pediatric ICU nurse.