Riley Theroes thrives while earning degree in medical laboratory science

"I think Mount Marty is the place that people come to learn what they really value," Riley Theroes '26 said, who has grown as a future researcher and individual while at Mount Marty. 

After graduating from high school, Theroes was offered a lab internship at Franciscan Healthcare in West Point, Nebraska, where she found her passion for the lab. "I fell in love with the lab work, especially in the microbiology department, and learning how the lab itself runs," Theroes said. "I loved the people who worked there and the patient interaction." This experience was when Theroes knew research was for her.

With this newfound aspiration, Theroes decided to attend Mount Marty to major in medical laboratory science and was inspired by Kay Rasmussen, Ed.D., assistant professor of biology. "Dr. Rasmussen kept me engaged in the major I had picked and helped me one-on-one constantly. She was always someone who would lend me an ear when I needed it," Theroes said.

Theroes also desired to attend the university because of its close-knit community, and she prospered with its culture. "I had originally come to run cross country but actually ended up dedicating my time to the choir and theatre departments," Theroes said. She sang in choir for 2.5 years as both a soprano and an alto and was an actress in three of the university's productions, including "Pippin," "Comedy of Errors" and "Spitfire Grill." Theroes even helped with the magic behind the scenes of "A Night in the Theatre" and "Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank" as a stage manager. She was also the theology department work study and said, "The theology faculty were always very kind to me and reminded me what Mount Marty was about."

Mount Marty's community and the opportunities Theroes experienced helped her grow as an individual and triumph through hard times. "When I left my hometown, I didn't know what sort of mark I wanted to leave on the world," Theroes explained. "I had just lost my mom, and I was lost and scared. Mount Marty and the people there, especially in the theatre, science and theology departments, grabbed my hand and helped me through the trial of loss and grief. I came out stronger at the end of it. I was taught in Mount Marty's Benedictine Leadership Institute that every person, in some way, impacts your life. Mount Marty's people impacted me for the better." The Benedictine Leadership Institute teaches students to know who they are and who they are in community. Theroes said that her mother is and will always be a role model for her. "My mom always taught me that kindness gets you a long way in life," Theroes explained. "She constantly gave back to her community, friends, family and strangers. So, I hope to do the same someday, to keep giving it back. For now, I just try to be kind and have patience." 

Theroes is most proud of the relationships she cultivated in college. "I met many lifelong friends, and I met my partner — and just recently fiancé — at Mount Marty," Theroes said. Her fiancé is Andrew Peitz '23, whom she met in theatre. "I could have earned the same grades, scholarships and dreams [at other universities], but I would have never met these wonderful people who made my life better if not for Mount Marty."

This summer, Theroes was awarded the American Proficiency Institute lab scholarship, and she is very grateful to be its recipient. "This is a big lab scholarship for the United States. I was really shocked when I got it because most of the previous winners had been from big state schools. Now, I'm really proud of myself for getting this far."

Currently, as part of her curriculum, Theroes is interning at Sanford USD Medical Center and Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She began her internship at Sanford in July and will complete it in May. Theroes is receiving hands-on experience under the supervision of knowledgeable lab technicians as well as time in lecture at the facility. Each week, she works between four departments: blood bank, chemistry, hematology and microbiology. "There is a lot of technical work involved in these stations, and we spend most of our days running machines, looking under microscopes and reading plates," Theroes said. "It's definitely a rigorous program." She added that she is most grateful for the support system she has built during her time at Mount Marty, which she is able to lean on during these months. 

Theroes said her favorite department that she gets to work in is chemistry. Although she isn't quite sure what department she would like to work in upon graduation, she does know she would like to stay around the Sioux Falls area. Theroes mentioned she is excited to start her future career wherever it may lead. 

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About Mount Marty University

Founded in 1936 by the Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, Mount Marty University is South Dakota's only Catholic, Benedictine institution of higher education. Located along the bluffs of the Missouri River in Yankton, with additional locations in Watertown and Sioux Falls, Mount Marty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on student and alumni success in high-demand fields such as health sciences, education, criminal justice, business, accounting, recreation management, and more. A community of learners in the Benedictine tradition, Mount Marty emphasizes academic excellence and develops well-rounded students with intellectual competence, professional and personal skills and moral, spiritual and social values. To learn more, visit mountmarty.edu.