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Lumen Vitae University Center

Students outside the Lumen Vitae Center.

Home Is Where the Heart Is

The Lumen Vitae University Center (LVUC) is at the heart of campus and home to students. It is more than a study space, it’s a home away from home with beautiful stone fireplaces and comfortable sitting areas. The LVUC offers students, faculty, and visitors a place to relax and enjoy one another’s company. In line with the Benedictine value of hospitality, the LVUC provides a welcoming atmosphere to all!

As part of the Vision 2030 Capital Campaign, the Lumen Vitae University Center serves as a community gathering space for students and faculty alike. Lumen Vitae, the Latin phrase meaning “Light of Life,” fittingly names this center that brings new life to the heart of the University of Mary campus. The campus restaurant – The Crow’s Nest – offers 24/7 dining with a variety of food options, as well as coffee around the clock. The Bookstore and Marauders Mart are conveniently located steps away from the Crow’s Nest.

Explore the heart of the University of Mary’s campus.

The Perfect Study Areas

The Lanterman Lodge serves as a memorial to our beloved friend Kirk Lanterman (1931-2019) as well as a living tribute to his and his wife Janet’s longtime generosity toward the university. Teeming with vibrant tropical flora and featuring cozy study nooks, shimmering waterfalls, and a 10’x3’x3’ aquarium, this year-round green space in the lower level of the LVUC furnishes a warm refuge from the northern prairie’s frosty winter weather.

The Tom and Frances Leach Foundation Living Room can be found on the upper level of the LVUC across from Susanne’s coffee shop. The Leach Living Room features a glass wall of windows, welcoming in natural light and creating a picturesque, panoramic view of the beautiful Missouri river. The large stone fireplace is warm and welcoming. The many tables and cushioned seating provide students with a prime study spot. With such a friendly environment and an endless supply of coffee mere steps away, it’s not a surprise that the Leach Foundation Living Room is such a popular place!

The Starion Bank Living Room is located on the lower level of the LVUC. This is another favorite study spot for students. There are four booths, each with electrical and USB outlets with a TV screen to connect your laptop to, as well as tables and cushioned seating. The stage in the corner of the living room makes it a popular space for various events, consistently hosting weekly The Late Night Show with Fr. Bouck, Monday Morning Mission, and open mic nights. There are also two custom-made foosball tables – perfect for a study break! However, the true gem of this space is the grand piano. Elegant piano music travels throughout the LVUC as the instrument plays itself. However, this grand piano is also open for community use, so it is likely you will hear an impromptu live performance every once in a while!

This bustling coffee shop is open 7 am-9 pm and is located in the Crow’s Nest, with its Grab-and-Go service outside the restaurant for those without a meal plan. Susanne’s serves Caribou coffee – hot, iced, and blended – as well as a variety of teas. For those ordering from inside the Crow’s Nest, Susanne’s is free of charge. The Grab-and-Go service accepts card payments along with Marauders Bucks!

The Commuter's Lounge is located beside the Starion Living Room under the staircase on the lower level of the LVUC. This space was created specifically with commuter students in mind. It is equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, freezer, computer, printer, and storage cubbies. Commuter students now have a place of their own in the center of campus to make themselves feel at home, meet other students, and participate in the lively campus atmosphere.

Bravera Bank Branch

The Bravera Bank Branch, formerly known as American Bank Center (ABC), is located on the lower level of the LVUC across from the Student Involvement Center. This full-service branch at the University of Mary is completely run by students who work with a team of advisors to find the right products that fit the needs of the members of the University of Mary community.

In addition, there are two ATMs on campus: one is located where the MAC meets the LVUC and the second is in the Benedictine Center for Servant Leadership across from the Hauer Family Theater. Students can conveniently make withdrawals and deposits, take out loans, and apply for credit cards without stepping off the Mary hill. For more information, please visit: bravera.bank.  

Already have a bank account? No problem! With the online app, you can make safe, secure, and free transfers from other bank accounts. What are you waiting for? Start your account now!

What We Have to Offer:

  • Checking Account
  • Savings Account
  • eBanking Services – Internet banking, bill pay, mobile banking, eStatements
  • Additional Services – Visa credit cards, debit cards, XPRESS phone banking, and more!

To see more details, please see the personal banking.

What’s Inside

The Lodge features a warm, natural setting of greenery, fireplace, water features, an aquarium inside, and an open seating area on the top with the best views on campus.
Students can hang out next to a warm fireplace in the spacious Tom and Frances Leach Foundation Living Room and enjoy a drink from Susanne’s across the hall, serving Caribou Coffee and pastries.
The Crow’s Nest Restaurant on both the main level and lower level of the Lumen Vitae University Center offers 24/7 dining and provides plenty of space for students to eat, enjoy each other’s friendship, and study together. It is a thriving area for student life.
The Robert & Marlys Fleck Bookstore is home to all the official University of Mary apparel, books, and snacks. It is located on the main level of the Lumen Vitae University Center between the Crow’s Nest and the Marauders Hall of Fame.
The elegant, stately, and state-of-the-art Founders Hall in the Lumen Vitae University Center can host hundreds of guests during various private and public functions and overlooks the majestic Missouri River Valley.
Students can gather in the lounge area, in a booth for friendship or study, or take a break from the books and play foosball at one of a handful of tables in the Starion Bank Living Room in the lower level of the Lumen Vitae University Center.
The sunlit area of Starion Bank Living Room inside the Lumen Vitae University Center not only allows space for fellowship, study, and hanging out in comfy couches and booths but also a stage for small music performances and guest speakers.
The Student Involvement Center in the lower level of the Lumen Vitae University Center is the home base for student government and various student-led organizations.
Bravera Bank on Campus