Weeklong celebration Sept. 28-Oct. 4 features Alumni Recognition Awards, Day of Service, Marauders athletics and Homecoming traditions
BISMARCK, ND — The University of Mary is welcoming alumni, families, and friends back to Bismarck Sept. 28-Oct. 4 for Homecoming 2026, a weeklong celebration featuring beloved Mary traditions, Marauders athletics, and the recognition of distinguished alumni whose lives and careers reflect the university’s mission of servant leadership.
Among the week’s signature events is the Alumni Recognition and Hall of Fame Banquet Friday, Oct. 2, where the university will honor four graduates with its 2026 Alumni Recognition Awards. The invitation-only banquet begins at 5:30 p.m.
This year’s honorees are Dr. Adam Woroniecki, ’15, pediatric dentist at Prairie Rose Family Dentists, recipient of the Bell Banner Award; Dr. Eve Kostelecky-Albrecht, ’03, optometrist and owner of Every Eye, recipient of the Harold Schafer Leadership Award; Doug Remboldt, ’90, ’96, president and chief executive officer of National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), recipient of the Presidential Leadership Award; and Molly Herrington, ’09, ’19, chief people officer for the State of North Dakota, also a recipient of the Presidential Leadership Award.
“Homecoming is about much more than returning to a place — it’s about returning to the people and relationships that helped shape who we are,” said Michael Mortenson, director of Alumni Relationships at the University of Mary. “Our Alumni Recognition Award recipients remind us that a Mary education continues to bear fruit long after graduation. We are proud to welcome them home, celebrate what they have accomplished, and recognize the ways they continue to serve their families, professions and communities.”
Homecoming Week begins Monday, Sept. 28, with events bringing together students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the university. One of Mary’s signature Homecoming traditions takes place Wednesday, Sept. 30, when approximately 1,300 students, faculty and staff participate in the university’s annual Day of Service at roughly 80 organizations and locations. The day begins at 8 a.m. with the Day of Service Candlelight Mass and Commissioning at the McDowell Activity Center before volunteers depart for service projects throughout Bismarck and Mandan.
Homecoming Coronation and a dessert social follow Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in Founders Hall. The week also features Marauders volleyball, hockey, swimming and diving, along with campus traditions and alumni gatherings.
Homecoming festivities culminate Saturday, Oct. 3, beginning with the Homecoming 5K at 10 a.m. at the MDU Resources Community Bowl. Tailgating runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the Marauders football team hosting the University of Jamestown at 2 p.m. The Homecoming Celebration featuring Asher takes place from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Bismarck Event Center. The week concludes Sunday with the Homecoming Alumni Mass at 9 a.m. in Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel and Homecoming Brunch at 10:30 a.m. in the Crow’s Nest Campus Restaurant.
A complete schedule of the events and additional information is available on the Homecoming webpage.
Dr. Adam Woroniecki, ’15
Bell Banner Award
Pediatric Dentist, Prairie Rose Family Dentists
Adam Woroniecki knows the impact an adult role model can make: His interest in pediatric dentistry was sparked by Dr. Michael Goebel when Woroniecki himself was a child. In college, Woroniecki shadowed Goebel at his office and was drawn to the opportunity to create a friendly environment for nervous young patients and to impact their health and lives. Woroniecki grew up in Hebron, ND, and was recruited to play football for the Marauders. His visit to Mary clinched his decision: He loved the smaller campus, the Missouri River views, and the Christian values that set him up well for dental school and beyond. He became a team captain and an All-Northern Sun running back his senior year in 2015. The three-time NSIC All-Academic Team member was recognized as Outstanding Senior in Biology and Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2016. He continued his studies at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, where he earned the 2019 Kramer Award for a junior student demonstrating scholarship, character, and the potential for advancement of dentistry and service to humanity, and the 2020 Dale Redig Award for commitment to excellence in pediatric dentistry. In 2023, the Woronieckis donated to create the first-ever endowed football scholarship for the Marauders. Today, he practices pediatric dentistry at the Mandan, ND, clinic of Prairie Rose Family Dentists. He and his wife Alli have three young sons.
Dr. Eve Kostelecky-Albrecht, ’03
Harold Schafer Leadership Award
Optometrist, Every Eye
Eve Kostelecky-Albrecht has rarely lacked focus. Born in Hettinger, ND, and raised in Bismarck-Mandan, she came to Mary with the goal of becoming an optometrist like her favorite uncle; the university’s strong health science preparation provided the academic foundation, and a volleyball scholarship made it affordable. As a scholar-athlete, Kostelecky-Albrecht was driven on the court and in the classroom, forming strong connections with her teammates and key faculty members — but she underestimated the impact the close-knit community and Benedictine values would have on her life. She continued her studies at Southern California College of Optometry, returning to join a Bismarck optometry practice from 2007 to 2019, when she launched her own, Every Eye, in Mandan. Since then, Kostelecky-Albrecht’s vision has shifted from individual achievement to personal connection and the Gospel’s call to love of neighbor. She has partnered with her local church to provide exams and eyewear to elementary students in need and traveled to Nigeria to provide vision screenings and eyewear to more than 300 patients. As a result, Every Eye was recently recognized by the Lions Club for its humanitarian service. Today, Kostelecky-Albrecht touts the role of failure in her biggest learning moments and credits God’s providence, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and the support of family and friends for helping her to see and serve the greater good. She and her husband Dave have two children.
Doug Remboldt, ’90, ’96
Presidential Leadership Award
President and Chief Executive Officer, National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC)
For more than 30 years, Doug Remboldt has worked for the same company, ascending to the role of president and CEO — and even now, he says that he learns something new every day. When he arrived from Gackle, ND, in the late 1980s, his goals were simple: a job in an organization that felt like home in a community he loved. He chose Mary for its graduation and placement rates, double-majored in accounting and computer information systems, and worked as a lifeguard at the university pool to help pay his bills. He began working for NISC a month before graduating in 1990 and never left Bismarck or NISC, returning to Mary for a master’s degree in management in 1996. Remboldt says his time at Mary convinced him that there can be no distinction between your personal and professional values if you want to be successful at work and life — you must live them consistently, in every circumstance. He is steadfast in his support of teamwork, believing that the way in which teammates care for each other and work together is the difference between success and failure. Remboldt also supports the work of the Bismarck Cancer Center and its foundation. He has been married to his wife Amy for 30 years; they have two adult daughters and a son-in-law who are also Mary alumni, as are Remboldt’s two brothers.
Molly Herrington, ’09, ’19
Presidential Leadership Award
Chief People Officer, State of North Dakota
Molly Herrington never imagined a career in human resources (HR) — but she learned early on how to match potential with opportunity. Raised in eastern North Dakota, at age 15, she convinced her parents to let her join an exchange program to Japan; while at Mary, she took part in the Harold Schafer Emerging Leaders Academy, Semester at Sea, and Lehigh University’s Global Village for Future Leaders in Business and Industry. She majored in business administration, accounting, and finance, graduating in 2009. Herrington worked in business development, government relations, and more for organizations including the IDEA Center and KLJ before returning to Mary to earn her Master of Business Administration degree. In 2019, she began working for the State of North Dakota. She received the Sodbuster Award for Excellence in Growth Mindset while director of leadership and learning and, today, serves as chief people officer for the state, leading HR strategy and organizational development for performance and productivity. Reflecting on her career so far, Herrington sees a common thread: helping people and organizations become more capable and reach their full potential. She credits Mary for giving her the confidence to step out in faith, make the ask, and pursue possibilities before the path is clear. She serves in leadership roles with Rotary and a wide range of other local and national organizations. She and her husband Jim have two sons.
