University of Mary announces new campus in Italy and expanded program

BISMARCK — The University of Mary, America’s Leadership University, proudly announced to its student body today, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, that it is expanding and opening a campus in Italy — the center of the Catholic faith and also where the university’s Benedictine roots were formed.

University of Mary students will soon have a unique opportunity for in-depth, liberal arts study of Italian culture, history, theology, art, architecture and music on the new campus. This enriching and unforgettable learning experience will be the only one of its kind offered by a North Dakota college and one of only a handful of such programs available across the United States.

“This is a bold, new initiative, and a worthy one,” said Father James Shea, U-Mary president. “Our campus in Italy will provide a unique opportunity to awaken our students to the beauty of culture, history and faith in a whole new way. It’s a perfect fit.

“Students will be able to take advantage of the rich historical locale through specialized courses integrating history, theology, art, architecture and music. The city of Rome with its ancient and Christian heritage will afford an unparalleled in-depth educational experience, including special access to the hidden excavations under St. Peter’s Basilica, the treasures of the Vatican Museum, and an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. Challenging classroom sessions will be complemented with excursions into the countryside, with visits to Benedictine heritage sites such as Nursia (where St. Benedict and his twin sister Scholastica were born), Subiaco (where St. Benedict lived in solitude and prayer and wrote his renowned Rule), and Monte Cassino (where St. Benedict founded his first major monastery).”

WHERE, WHEN, HOW AND WHO:

The site of the new campus will be announced very soon. Two potential locations are under consideration — one on the edge of Rome and another just outside of the capital city in the historic town of Viterbo. Both venues integrate historical and cultural significance with modern technology. All rooms have a private bath and Internet is available. There also are study areas, outdoor recreation grounds, classrooms and a chapel on-site.

Just after Christmas Father Shea will be going to Rome with four U-Mary student-leaders and representatives of the university. “We’ll be carefully examining the proposed sites in light of the needs of our new program,” he explained. “Our students at home will be following the progress of our trip as it happens on Facebook, as we make decisions about the location and setup of our new campus. This is an exciting moment in the university’s history.”

Another unique feature of U-Mary’s program in Italy is its affordability. The cost of attending U-Mary in Italy is all-inclusive, with the same rate being charged for room, board, and tuition in Italy as the student would pay at the Bismarck, ND, campus. U-Mary scholarships and financial aid also will be honored. Students will be additionally responsible only for round-trip airfare, personal spending money and some planned travel excursions. Students in good academic standing and those who attended the previous semester at the University of Mary are eligible to apply for this program. They will be able to spend a semester or a month studying and doing educational travel in Italy and elsewhere in Europe. Academic credit will be available.

“The new campus will present a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students,” commented Tom Seifert, student body president. “Being able to attend classes, strengthen one’s faith, and live at the center of so much history for roughly the same cost as attending

U-Mary in North Dakota may seem too good to be true. With a new campus in Italy, however, this becomes possible. It is a possibility that’s not found just anywhere. We are very excited and can’t wait for the campus to open its doors.”

The University of Mary is committed to leadership development as it expands its global presence. Classes in Italy will commence in fall 2010. Father Shea will be making a goodwill trip this August and there will be openings for 40 students to accompany him. Full details will be available early next semester and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on Feb. 1, 2010.

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