About
For Raymond Ira Shipman, Carroll College was more than a place to earn a degree. It was the continuation of a family tradition, an opportunity to deepen his Catholic faith, and the foundation for the life and career he enjoys today. A 2022 Carroll graduate with bachelor's degrees in Biochemistry-Molecular Biology and Theology, Raymond recently earned his Master of Arts in Liturgy from the University of St. Mary of the Lake. He now serves as Executive Assistant to the Bishop for the Diocese of Helena.
Choosing Carroll felt like a natural step.
"I was the 67th person in my family to attend Carroll," Raymond said. "My sister Madalen was the 69th, and the 70th is an incoming freshman."
While family legacy first drew him to Carroll, it was the College's Catholic identity and unique academic opportunities that confirmed it was the right place. Raymond pursued a double major in Biochemistry-Molecular Biology and Theology, combining his fascination with genetics and a lifelong commitment to his faith.
"My faith is essential to who I am, so Theology was a natural and necessary second major," he said. "Being able to study Catholic theology while living on a campus with chapels and an active Campus Ministry made Carroll unlike anywhere else."
Outside the classroom, Raymond immersed himself in campus life. He served as a Resident Assistant in Guadalupe Hall during his sophomore and junior years, later becoming a Peer Minister in St. Charles Hall as a senior. He also spent summers working on the Grounds Crew, joking that he lived in every residence hall on campus except Trinity.
Those experiences gave him the opportunity to help younger students feel at home while building friendships that have lasted well beyond graduation.
"For me, the friendships established and strengthened at Carroll have been the greatest gift," Raymond shared. "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, Raymond 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, Raymond and Riley are raising the next generation of Saints with their two children, Thomas and Genevieve, and hope to continue their family's Carroll legacy for years to come.
