University of Mary Honors Distinguished Alumni at 2025 Homecoming Festivities

BISMARCK, ND - The 2025 class of Alumni Recognition Award recipients has been announced at the University of Mary. These alumni are coming home to Mary's annual Alumni Recognition and Hall of Fame Induction Celebration Friday, October 10, 5:30 p.m., at the Lumen Vitae University Center (LVUC) in Founders Hall.

This year's honorees represent a remarkable blend of leadership, creativity, and community impact-each embodying the values at the core of a University of Mary education.

"These alumni exemplify the spirit of innovation and service that defines the University of Mary," said Michael Mortenson, director of Alumni Relationships. "Each of them saw opportunities to lead, to serve, and to make life better for others-whether in their hometowns, their workplaces, or across the nation. Their entrepreneurial drive and commitment to community are a powerful reflection of the Benedictine values at the heart of a Mary education."

The University of Mary Bell Banner Award: In recognition of the ideals of the university's sponsors, the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, the Bell Banner Award honors alumni for modeling the values of respect, hospitality, moderation, service, community, and prayer.

Suzi Sobolik, '19

Owner-Board Liaison, Steffes Companies
On-Call Physical Therapist, RehabVisions

Sobolik refers to herself as a stay-at-home mom-but in her busy professional life, she serves as owner-board liaison for Steffes Companies, a leading US provider of steel fabrication and electrical services, in Dickinson, ND, as well as an on-call physical therapist for a local hospital. Sobolik also served for four years on the Dickinson City Commission and volunteers with the Queen of Peace Finance Council, the Trinity High School Fall Gala Committee, the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Dickinson program for high school seniors, and the Rotary Club of Dickinson.

Sobolik left Dickinson to earn her bachelor's and doctorate in physical therapy at the University of North Dakota. She and her husband Damian, a teacher, returned to her hometown, where she worked full-time as a physical therapist. After the birth of their third child, she was finally able to fulfill her long-held dream of staying home to raise her family, while still taking on several jobs.

The University of Mary enabled her to earn a master of business administration online, strengthening her role with her family's business while caring for her children at home.

Sobolik is a member of the Prairie Family Business Association, the American Physical Therapy Association, and the North Dakota Physical Therapy Association, and was recognized as the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year in 2020 and the KX News North Dakota Remarkable Woman of 2022. In her spare time, she enjoys watching her children participate in school sports, reading, studying her Catholic faith, and baking breads and pastries.

The University of Mary Harold Schafer Alumni Leadership Award: This award recognizes graduates who have attained distinction as leaders in their professions while exemplifying the values cherished by the University of Mary.

Charles "Chaz" Hager, '07, '08

CEO of Northriver IT

Hager understands that information technology is only as useful as the team of people supporting it. As founder and chief executive officer of Northriver IT, based in Bismarck, ND, and Juneau, AK, Hager views his employees as his most valuable asset-and encouraging their professional and personal development his first responsibility.

Hager started his cybersecurity and technology services company in 2004, but his love of technology began in middle school. A Cisco programming course at his Fargo, ND, high school fed his interest and increased his proficiency-but beyond that, he remembers the instructor's enthusiasm and encouragement. At the University of Mary, he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration, developed his entrepreneurial and leadership skills at the Harold Schafer Leadership Academy, participated in the school's Entrepreneurship Fair (E-Fair), and attended Global Village, a specialty internship program at Lehigh University. At every turn, he found mentors who shared their time, experience, and expertise.

Hager went on to earn his master of business administration from Mary and remains dedicated to learning from everyone he encounters: his colleagues, his friends, and even his clients. In 2017, he joined Heartland Technology Group Peer Groups, which led to a coaching relationship that still guides him today. He also serves on the Partner Advisory Council for one of Northriver IT's key suppliers and on the Cybersecurity Program Advisory Board at the University of Mary.

Hager enjoys downhill skiing, traveling, running, and riding bike in his down time. He and his wife Caitlyn have three children. He is surprised and happy to have remained in Bismarck to build his business and grow his family.

The University of Mary Presidential Leadership Award: This award is conferred on individual alumni for distinguished achievements as servant leaders regionally, nationally, or internationally.

Lisa Bradley '06

CEO and Co-Founder, R.Riveter

Bradley is a born competitor and an entrepreneur on a mission. As the co-founder and chief executive officer of R.Riveter, an innovative handbag and accessories company creating meaningful work for military spouses, she is serving a community to which she belongs. Since graduation, she and her husband, a military instructor, have lived in 13 cities, where she witnessed firsthand the limited job opportunities available to spouses on or near military bases. In 2011, she and her business partner launched R.Riveter to create flexible and mobile job opportunities for spouses like them.

The company has grown to employ and empower military spouses across 15 states while producing thousands of stylish and functional bags-including lines made from repurposed military uniforms and textiles.

Bradley earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Mary. She also competed as a pole-vaulter on the women's track team and was the first female and the first freshman to win Mary's Entrepreneurship Fair (E-Fair) competition. In the years since, both Bradley and her company have received wide recognition, including a 2016 appearance on the television show "Shark Tank," which garnered an offer of partnership and investment from billionaire Mark Cuban. She earned her master of business administration from Brandman University and has received numerous recognitions, including Central Ohio's Remarkable Women Award, and was named one of the Top 25 People Changing the Future of Retail in the U.S.

More recently, Bradley and her husband have decided to slow down to focus on raising their two small children. They have refurbished a sailboat and spent the summer sailing offshore, sharing new experiences as a family.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about the University of Mary can do so at https://www.umary.edu or online.umary.edu, or by contacting an admissions representative at [email protected], or by calling (701) 355-8030. The University of Mary is one of only 23 Recommended Cardinal Newman Society Residential Colleges and universities in the US.

About 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 nearly 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 3,900 students, Mary has locations in North Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Rome, Italy, as well as vibrant online offerings.