50 years of God, community, lifelong learning: Mount Marty-Watertown marks milestone

Kerry Kulkarni, Watertown Public Opinion
·4 min read
Mount Marty University-Watertown students Thomas DeCoteau, left, Arnold Williams and Brandi DeCoteau honor their teacher Sister Adrienne Kaufmann with a handmade Native quilt. Mount Marty-Watertown has helped several Native American students reach their goals of obtaining degrees. The Watertown campus is celebrating its 50th year.
Mount Marty University-Watertown students Thomas DeCoteau, left, Arnold Williams and Brandi DeCoteau honor their teacher Sister Adrienne Kaufmann with a handmade Native quilt. Mount Marty-Watertown has helped several Native American students reach their goals of obtaining degrees. The Watertown campus is celebrating its 50th year.

Mount Marty University's Watertown campus is celebrating a half-century of success.

During the past 50 years, the school has helped educate students in a close-knit, caring and flexible setting.

"We're excited that for 50 years we've been able to serve Watertown and surrounding communities with a bachelor's degree right here at home," said Mount Marty-Watertown Campus Director Kimberly Bellum. "And we are excited to continue moving forward and growing now that we are back at the Lake Area Technical College campus."

In 1972, Yankton-based Mount Marty opened its Watertown campus at Harmony Hill Education Center. It was designed to help parents who were looking to continue their education. The university has changed locations a couple of times. It was at Lake Area from 1998 through 2013 and has been back at the campus since 2019.

"Our student body appreciates being on a college campus with all its amenities," Bellum said.

More: Lake Area Tech Archway complex named Dana J. Dykhouse Business Center of Learning

Local students can study close to home

One big benefit of the Watertown campus is that it allows local students to study close to home.

"As we've evolved and changed, we've really found our niche here at Lake Area," Bellum said in a news release. "They've been very welcoming and see the value of having an opportunity like this right here on their campus."

Mount Marty offers five bachelor's programs, including elementary education, criminal justice, business management, human services and psychology. A new fitness management degree is in the works.

But the school offers more than just geographical convenience.

More: Spotlight shines on Watertown workforce demand at Terex, Lake Area events: Brad Johnson

Schedule flexibility a big benefit for Watertown students

Hailey Crowe is a nontraditional student at Mount Marty-Watertown who transferred from Black Hills State University in Spearfish when she and her family moved to town. She is working toward a human services degree. Crowe works as a registered behavior technician with Spectrum Matters and wants to grow her career by finishing the education necessary to become a behavioral analyst.

Crowe said she's faced challenges along the way and needed a flexible schooling option and the guidance of staff like Associate Director of Admissions Heidi Schooley.

"Heidi is good at working around your schedule and finding what works best for you," Crowe said. "I went to Black Hills State fresh out of high school and I struggled. I was a little fish in a big sea, and I ended up not liking school. I kept taking semesters off and trying again later. But at Mount Marty, I feel like I have a more personal connection. I went from failing to a 4.0 student."

More: Brad Johnson: College students in Watertown learn uncomfortable racial truths

Becky Schlotterbeck is a nontraditional student in her 40s and will soon graduate with a teaching certificate. The availability of night classes and the flexibility offered to students on the Watertown campus have allowed her to balance her job and family while still working on her education. Though she's not fresh out of high school, she has had no problems bonding with other students.

"They really are like family at Mount Marty," said Schlotterbeck. "MMU is willing to be flexible and understands that family comes first. They gave me the opportunity to get my degree."

'A great learning community'

Nathan Russell is working on a bachelor's in business management. He also obtained his associate degree from Mount Marty-Watertown. Time spent with friends he's made on campus have been beneficial, he said.

"Mount Marty provides a great learning community, which I have never witnessed at other campuses," Russell said. "You hear people forming friend groups, but not learning communities."

Students at Mount Marty-Watertown are encouraged to express themselves creatively. This past year, Nathan Russell chose to use baseball leathers to create of a cross.
Students at Mount Marty-Watertown are encouraged to express themselves creatively. This past year, Nathan Russell chose to use baseball leathers to create of a cross.

"Times are really changing, and students are looking for campuses smaller than a huge university," Bellum said. "Once we get them here on the campus, we keep them. They like the small classroom sizes. Everyone knows them, and they will be taken care of and supported."

The 50-year milestone is a source of tremendous pride for the Benedictine university because of its dedication to providing greater access to education, according to the release.

As part of the anniversary celebration, a cookout is scheduled for Aug. 30 on Mission Day at Mount Marty-Watertown. Students, Alumni, staff, friends and family are invited to the event.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Mount Marty University celebrates 50th year of educating in Watertown