In Memoriam: Sister Thomas Welder, 1940-2020

Sister Thomas Welder, the former president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, has died at her monastery home south of Bismarck. She was 80 years old and had suffered from kidney cancer.

Welder was born in Linton, North Dakota, in 1940 and moved to Bismarck with her family at age 2. She attended St. Mary’s Central High School and became a nun when she 19 years old by becoming a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery. Welder attended the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and graduated from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. She earned a master’s degree in music at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Welder joined the faculty at what was then Mary College in 1963, where she taught music. She was named president of the educational institution in 1978. During her tenure, she transitioned the school to university status and nearly tripled enrollments.

Welder retired in 2009. The University of Mary’s library is named in her honor.

Related Articles

Latest News

Data Shows High Attrition Rates for Women in STEM Degree Programs

For women who began their four-year college career in a STEM discipline, 14 percent dropped out of college and 32 percent switched to a non-STEM major before earning their degree.

Monique Guillory Named Ninth President of Dillard University

Dr. Guillory has served as Dillard University's interim president for the past seven months. Her background includes over three decades of higher education administration experience.

Lynne Coy-Organ Is the First Woman President of Husson University

Lynne Coy-Organ has been named the first woman president of Husson University in Maine. She has served as the university's provost and senior vice president for academic affairs for the past 15 years.

Donna Hedgepath Will Be the First Woman President of Wayland Baptist University

Current provost of Campbellsville University in Kentucky, Donna Hedgepath, has been named president of Wayland Baptist University in Texas, making her the first woman to be selected for the position.

Three Women Scholars Appointed to Provost Positions

The new provosts are Elizabeth Dumont at the University of California, Merced, Marguerite Giguette at Xavier University in New Orleans, and Margaret Brown Marsden at Midwestern State University in Texas.

Lecturer in Stage Management

The Lecturer in Stage Management will be responsible for teaching three courses and stage managing three Main Stage shows in the Department of Theater and Performance Studies production season.

Vice President for Finance and Enrollment Services

The Vice President for Finance and Enrollment Services is the Chief Financial Officer and principal advisor to the President on all matters related to the management and oversight of business and financial affairs of the College at all campuses and locations, the Foundation, and budgeting oversight for grants.

Assistant Professor in Metabolism Research

The Morgridge Institute for Research, in partnership with the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, seeks a joint tenure track assistant professor to lead a vibrant metabolism-focused research program.

Executive Assistant to the President

The Executive Assistant to the President plays a vital role in the day-to-day operations of the President's Office at San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), ensuring seamless administrative support that reflects the institution's high standards of professionalism and service.

Acquisitions Librarian

The Acquisitions Librarian responsibilities have an emphasis on one-time, profile-based and approval plan acquisitions that support the general collection, Special Collections and Area Studies.