Veronica Schaefbauer, BS Academic Advisor | University Of Mary
Veronica Schaefbauer, BS Academic Advisor | University Of Mary
The University of Mary is preparing to send its largest group yet to the 2025 National March for Life in Washington, D.C. Over 300 students, faculty, and alumni will travel from Bismarck, North Dakota, to participate in the event on January 24. This year’s theme is “Life: Why We March.” The group will be recognizable by their bright blue-and-orange stocking caps with "UMARY FOR LIFE."
The university has a longstanding connection with the march. In 2017, it was chosen to lead the event, highlighting its commitment to pro-life advocacy. Although not leading this year, their participation underscores ongoing dedication.
Father Dominic Bouck, university chaplain and director of University Ministry, expressed pride in the large turnout. “Our students and faculty are passionate about the sanctity of life,” he said. “This year, we have over 300 participants—six buses fully packed, plus others flying or meeting us there.”
Bouck emphasized that despite changes following Roe v. Wade's overturning, their mission remains focused on protecting human life and dignity. “At Mary, everything we do revolves around protecting the life and dignity of the human person,” he stated.
The pilgrimage begins on January 21 with a Mass at Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel before departing for Washington. Participants will visit Notre Dame for Mass at the Basilica and engage in other activities such as visiting the Holocaust Museum.
On January 24, before attending Mass and joining the march, they will meet U.S. Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota to discuss shared commitments to life protection. Additional meetings include one with North Dakota U.S. Representative Julie Fedorchak.
Emma Thorp leads logistics for this trip; she has attended twice as a student and now twice as a coordinator. She remarked on how vibrant and energized the pro-life movement remains post-Roe v. Wade.
Samuel Gallagher, a senior majoring in social studies education from Evansville, WI., has participated each year during college; this marks his fourth time attending as a student: “The overturning of Roe v. Wade was a step in the right direction," he noted.
Senior nursing student Callie McDonald from New Market sees her first trip as significant given current abortion law debates post-Roe v Wade: "Roe v Wade’s overturning doesn’t mean fight is over," she explained.
Father Bouck summed up by saying: "Put simply everything we do at University Mary comes down protecting life dignity human person."
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