09/03/2026
For Raymond Shipman ’22, Carroll College was more than a place to earn a degree. It was where he deepened his Catholic faith, built lifelong friendships, met his wife, and laid the foundation for the life and career he enjoys today.
Ray, the 67th person in his family to attend Carroll, earned bachelor’s degrees in Biochemistry-Molecular Biology and Theology. He recently earned his Master of Arts in Liturgy from the University of St. Mary of the Lake and now serves as Executive Assistant to the Bishop for the Diocese of Helena.
“Being able to study Catholic theology while living on a campus with chapels and an active Campus Ministry made Carroll unlike anywhere else,” Ray shared.
“For me, the friendships established and strengthened at Carroll have been the greatest gift. Carroll provided the environment where those relationships flourished into lifelong friendships.”
Among those lifelong relationships is the one that changed his life forever: meeting his wife, Riley (Dowdy) Shipman, a fellow member of Carroll’s Class of 2022 and a nursing graduate.
Looking back, Ray believes the Carroll experience extends far beyond graduation.
“The Carroll network is a lot of fun,” he said. “People from all generations share the experience of a truly special place. Carroll develops people into individuals of competency, integrity, and initiative while grounding them in faith and service.”
His advice for prospective students is simple:
“I cannot recommend Carroll enough to students looking for a place where their natural striving toward excellence can be met with excitement.”
Today, Ray and his wife, Riley ’22, are raising the next generation of Saints with their two children, Thomas and Genevieve, and continuing a Carroll tradition that spans generations. 💜
Read Ray's full story here: https://www.carroll.edu/about/directory/raymond-shipman
