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BISMARCK, ND — The University of Mary announced the selection of its 2024 Homecoming King and Queen and their court at coronation ceremonies held Wednesday, October 2, in Founders Hall of the Lumen Vitae University Center (LVUC) on campus. The event coincides with the annual Day of Service — the largest, single-day service event in North Dakota, where over 1,300 students, staff, and faculty from University of Mary disperse to organizations throughout Bismarck and Mandan, Fort Yates, ND, and campus sites in Rome, Italy and Arizona State University.

Homecoming King is Marshall Milless. Milless is from Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and will graduate in April with his Bachelor of Science in Communications with a minor in Catholic Studies and Photography and Digital Design. He grew up in the Twin Cities, is the youngest of twelve children, became an uncle at the age of five, and now is known as “Uncle Marshall” to 25 of his nieces and nephews. His time at the University of Mary has been filled with beauty, growth, friendship, community, and lots of self-discovery. When he isn’t studying or perusing the sweet treat section in the nest, you can find Milless participating in a variety of events on campus, from Coffee House to football games. He is in his 4th year of the Cappella chapel choir. He is also involved in the Gary Tharaldson School of Business Emerging Leaders Academy, intramural volleyball, and Corpus Christi Middle School Youth Ministry. Milless served as a camp counselor for St. Thomas Camp in Montana this past summer, which sparked a potential interest in teaching that he would like to explore further.

Homecoming Queen is Catherine Hermanson. Hermanson is from Arvada, Colorado, and will graduate in April with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is the second oldest of six children and recently became an aunt to her sweet niece, Edith Mae. Her time at the University of Mary has been filled with great joy, beautiful friendships, and fulfilling encounters. When she’s not pursuing her nursing degree, paddleboarding, or drinking a coffee from Balancing Goat, Hermanson has been involved in various events and programs on campus, such as Residence Life, FOCUS Bible studies, Saint Scholastica Hall, the Gregorian Scholars Honors Program, and the Nursing Students Association. After graduation, Hermanson hopes to work as a labor and delivery nurse, with plans to pursue a Nurse Practitioner degree to advocate for women’s fertility and overall health through a Christian-Catholic lens.

Caleb Cash is from Foley, Minnesota, and will graduate with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in April. He is the fifth of 10 children, and he will inform you that he is the true middle child of the family (not his younger brother, Henry). Some of his favorite memories from the University of Mary include his time in St. Joseph’s Hall, a wonderful semester abroad in Italy, and the time spent in the Catholic Studies Men’s House. He has enjoyed serving at Mass, staying active on campus, and captaining the greatest one-season-wonder in ultimate frisbee: The Grapes of Wrath. Cash recently married the love of his life, Elizabeth. The two met at the university and plan to stay in the Bismarck area. Caleb plans to work at CHI St. Alexius after graduation, and he hopes to specialize in Pediatric Nursing.

Thomas Cook is from Knoxville, Tennessee, and will graduate in April with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology and a minor in Social Work. He grew up around the country, living in Tennessee, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, and Indiana. He is the oldest of five children, with three brothers and one sister. When not studying or spending time with friends, you can find Cook leading Collegians for Life as its president, serving the University of Mary as a Resident Assistant in Riverview, altar serving at Mass, leading night prayer and rosaries for Saint Joseph’s Hall, participating in the Knights of Columbus, and attending various campus events. Cook is immensely grateful to the University of Mary for providing the perfect environment to grow in wisdom and deepen his relationship with God and his fiancé.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, and raised mostly in St. Louis, MO, John Daniel Hogan has spent much of his life within spittin’ distance of the Missouri River. His love for the heartland only grew when he decided to attend the University of Mary. Hogan loves people and has appreciated the quality and depth of communal life at Mary. Getting involved with the Catholic Studies program, the Catholic Studies Men’s House, assisting at campus liturgies, and even a brief stint as Max the Marauder, he has relished the opportunities to be involved in the life of campus. He loves academic life and is grateful for the formation classmates and professors have offered him on the brink of the great adventure of life. Hogan will graduate in the spring with majors in Philosophy and Catholic Studies. 

Caleb Honner is from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and will graduate in April with his Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Philosophy. He has three sisters, shares a birthday with his dad as they are the only guys in the house, and is the godfather to one of his nieces. His time at the University of Mary has been one of community and joy by making life-long friends during his time here. His friendships have deeply impacted him, especially through the intentional communities of Saint Joseph’s Hall and the Fraternity of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. He loves to help with Catholic Studies events, play Ultimate Frisbee, and pray in Adoration. Like Frassati, Honner is interested in joining the Order of Preachers after graduating and is excited to take his experience of fraternity and hospitality and study wherever the Lord leads him.

Callie McDonald grew up in Lakeville, Minnesota, and is the second youngest of five in her family. She will graduate this spring with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. McDonald currently lives in the Bethany House, and it is her second year as part of the Mary and Martha Women’s Community. McDonald’s time at the University of Mary has been transformative and fulfilling. She has had the privilege of being on the University Ministry Team for the past three years. Being a part of this team has facilitated a deepening in her faith, and she has come to know Truth in a very real and personal way. McDonald is also grateful for the gift of life-long friendships that she has created at Mary. Although McDonald is not completely certain which specialty she will choose in nursing quite yet, she desires to give her life away in love by serving others.

Elizabeth Obermiller is from Huntersville, North Carolina. She will graduate in April with her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Catholic Studies. She is the oldest of three children and her sister, Mollie, also attends the University of Mary. When she is not spending time with her friends or cheering on the Hockey team, Obermiller loves to participate in other events on campus, including Convivium and Afternoon Parlor. She has worked for Residence Life and University Ministry and lives with the Benedictine Oblates of Mary in the Mary and Martha Women’s Community at the Bethany House. She has always loved to travel, and one of the most formative experiences from her time at Mary was studying at the Rome campus, where she was able to form a lasting community with friends, encounter the lives of the saints in a new way, and be truly immersed in the life of the Catholic Church. She is so excited for the next stage of her life. She hopes to attend law school next year and will take everything she has learned about justice, the dignity of the human person, and service at the University of Mary and apply it to her pursuit of Truth in law.

Clare Pankratz is from Billings, Montana, and will graduate in April with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. She is the seventh of eight children and the fifth to attend the University of Mary. Her first time on campus was in 2012, at the age of nine, when she dropped her oldest sister off at college. She has been back to campus almost every year since. When not in class or studying, she is found in a theatre rehearsal, dance, or another university event. Pankratz loves serving her campus in the Student Success Center as a tutor and leading the Musical Theatre Troupe Club on campus. The education she received at the University of Mary will be something she treasures always as she has grown as a leader, person, and future professional during her time here.

Ana Salazar is from Denver, Colorado. After switching her major four times she will finally graduate in April with a Bachelor of Art in Philosophy and Catholic Studies! She is the third of four children, which explains why she is the way she is. Her time at Mary has been filled with a lot of wind, some desperate searching for her lost keys, but mostly it has been filled with deeply impactful friendships, an education that has dived into the person of Truth, and her own formation. When she is not pretending to do homework or helping with Catholic Studies Student Leaders, she enjoys feeding her coffee addiction, going on adventures with friends, and playing a good game of Catan. Looking back at her time at Mary, she is incredibly grateful for the formation she has received at the hands of her peers and professors. She is eager to take everything she has received and bring it to wherever God calls her next.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about the University of Mary can do so at www.umary.edu or  , or by contacting an admissions representative at enroll@umary.edu, or by calling (701) 355-8030. The University of Mary is one of only 15 Recommended Cardinal Newman Society Residential Colleges and Universities in the US.

SWAG��Ƶ the University of Mary: True to its motto “lumen vitae”—The Light of Life—the University of Mary offers education for the whole of life through cutting-edge professional programs and graduate programs animated by moral courage and leadership in chosen professions and service to the community. A private, co-educational Catholic institution, the University of Mary welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.

A Christian, Catholic, Benedictine institution founded in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Mary offers over 60 bachelor’s, 15 master’s, and five doctoral programs—in Business Administration, Education, Nursing Practice, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. The 19-sport Athletic Department adheres to its Greatness Through Virtue mission under the governance of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) conferences. With more than 3,800 students, Mary has locations in North Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Rome, Italy, as well as vibrant online offerings.