Alumnus Profile: Matthew Bowes – Faith, Friendship, and Engineering at the University of Mary

My name is Matthew Bowes. I am a Seton alum who will graduate from the University of Mary in April with a degree in mechanical engineering.

The University of Mary caught my eye because it is a Newman Guide-recommended school with an accredited engineering program. I loved the campus’s vantage point overlooking the Missouri River and the city of Bismarck. My tour was one-on-one when I visited, which I hadn’t experienced at any other school.

School of Engineering

My tour guide not only showed me around campus but also shared the Benedictine values of the university. When we walked through the Hamm School of Engineering, it was the most recent addition to campus, full of new machines and state-of-the-art classrooms. The University of Mary had just celebrated its first class of engineering graduates, and I knew I wanted to be part of this pioneering program with its small class sizes.

My time at Mary has been filled with faith, fun, and rigorous coursework. There’s always something to do on campus, from daily Masses to sporting events to board games in the 24/7 campus restaurant. I regularly pray novenas in our scenic Marian Grotto and stop by Benet Chapel to sit in the silence of perpetual adoration. Luckily, I don’t have to go alone; a friend is always willing to pray with me.

A Caring Faculty

The University of Mary’s Catholic curriculum gives me the opportunity to study virtues and the lives of the Saints. Throughout my coursework, I find myself growing in my faith and going beyond problem-solving. I now wonder, “Why does this problem exist?”

Engineering is tough work, but it’s rewarding. Thankfully, the Hamm School of Engineering has knowledgeable professors who strive to make personal connections with students. The faculty cares beyond performance in the classroom, helping me with employment opportunities and preparing for the career fair. The career fair allowed me to network and land a paid summer internship with my friends Mike and Ben through Watford City McKenzie Electric. We made the best of our summer in the Badlands.

Seton Home Study School enabled me to succeed in Mary’s engineering program. I took advanced courses at my own pace and dove deeper into my love of mathematics. Through these higher-level courses and Seton’s flexible, faith-based structure, I found my vocation in engineering.

In the end, words don’t do the University of Mary justice. If you’re a Seton student looking for somewhere to expand your horizons, create lifelong relationships, and immerse yourself in the Catholic faith, sign up for a visit and come see the campus for yourself!