Newman’s 11th Heritage Month begins Feb. 1

Jan 23, 2025
Heritage Month

Each year Newman University students, faculty, staff and alumni celebrate the university’s founders and Catholic traditions during Heritage Month.

Newman will host a series of exciting events Feb. 1 through March 4, 2025, that celebrate the university’s founders the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC), as well as its namesake St. John Henry Newman.

From student contests and scavenger hunts to guest speakers and Mass celebrations, there are a variety of ways to commemorate Newman University’s Catholic heritage and school spirit.

Browse the full schedule of Heritage Month events below.

Week 1 (Feb. 1-9)

Illustration of St. Maria De Mattias comforting a suffering individual, created by Newman University senior John Suffield.

Heritage Month Student Contest Opens (Saturday, Feb. 1)

Students can submit their essay, graphic art or TikTok responses to the question: “How do you/Newman students live or think of St. Maria De Mattias’ advice, ‘Let your guiding impulse be love?'”

Students can submit their entries to [email protected] beginning Feb. 1.

CLICK TO VIEW CONTEST FLYER

Newman Athletics Hall of Fame

Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony (Saturday, Feb. 1)

Join us for our Newman Jets Hall of Fame Banquet where we will honor individuals and teams for their contribution to Newman Athletics. A cocktail hour will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the ceremony at 6 p.m. in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center. Purchase tickets here.

Hands hold up the Newman silver medallion with an "NU" logo carved out.

Medallion Scavenger Hunt (Monday, Feb. 3- Friday, Feb. 7)

Students, look out for clues on the Heritage Month webpage (clues publish each day at 8am) in the Jet Broadcast or Newman social media and search the campus for the Newman Medallion. The first person to turn it in to Sister Therese Wetta (first floor, Sacred Heart Hall) wins a prize.

St. Maria De Mattias sculpture with red roses in the background.

Birthday of St. Maria De Mattias (Wednesday, Feb. 5)

  • 12 p.m. Mass in honor of St. Maria De Mattias, St. John Chapel
  • 5:30 – 7 p.m. Celebration of Feast of St. Maria De Mattias – Italian Dinner, Mabee Dining Center

Week 2 – Homecoming week (Feb. 10-14)

crepes with strawberries and chocolate

Monday, Feb. 10 – 1-2:30 p.m.

Enjoy free crepes with strawberries and chocolate, courtesy of Student Life in the Student Activities Center in Dugan.

boba in green, yellow, and pink milk tea

Tuesday, Feb. 11 – 1-2:30 p.m.

Join us for a Homecoming Court meet and greet with Boba from Leaf Teahouse, sponsored by Student Life in the Student Activities Center in Dugan.

cupcakes with white frosting and colorful sprinkles

Wednesday, Feb. 12

Enjoy free cupcakes from 1-2:30 p.m. courtesy of Student Life in the Student Activities Center in Dugan.

the student section during a Homecoming game at Newman University

Wednesday, Feb. 12 – Homecoming in Fugate Gym

  • 5:30 p.m. Women’s basketball vs Nebraska Kearney
  • 7:30 p.m. Men’s basketball vs Nebraska Kearney
  • The crowning of homecoming king and queen will be at the halftime of the men’s game
gummy bears, gummy worms, and Sour Patch rainbow bites

Thursday, Feb. 13

Join us for Nostalgia Day with the Student Government Association! Enjoy free treats from your childhood, sponsored by Student Life & SGA.

2024 Homecoming King and Queen

Friday, Feb. 14

Join us for a Jet Friday donut and meet the newly crowned homecoming king and queen from 8:30-10 a.m. in the Student Activities Center. Residence Life sponsors this event.

A man and woman smile as confetti and heart-shaped balloons make up the photo booth

Friday, Feb. 14

Enjoy fellowship and fun during the Valentine’s-themed Homecoming Mixer from 8-10 p.m. in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center.

This Student Life event features free food, drinks, a DJ, photo booth and chocolate fountain.

Week 3 (Feb. 17-23)

Visual Arts Contest entry depicts St. Maria De Mattias serving a dear neighbor.

Heritage Month contest closes (Tuesday, Feb. 18)

The Umbarger family sits at a table during the St. John Henry Newman High Tea event in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center.

High Tea (Thursday, Feb. 20)

Enjoy tea and delicious special foods of St. Newman’s time in an elegant setting in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Room of Dugan Library from 2 – 6:30 p.m.

St. John Henry Newman

Birthday of St. John Henry Newman (Friday, Feb. 21)

  • 12 p.m. Mass in honor of St. Newman in St. John’s Chapel
Signed photo of Pope Francis

Presentation by Wyatt Olivas (Sunday, Feb. 23)

Join us for a 7 p.m. presentation with Wyatt Olivas, U.S. college student participant in the Synod on Synodality with Pope Francis.

Week 4 (Feb. 24-March 2)

Mission Luncheon with Wyatt Olivias (Monday, Feb. 24)

Join us for a noon luncheon and 7 p.m. presentation by Wyatt Olivias, U.S. college student participant in the Synod on Synodality with Pope Francis.

A bowl of spaghetti

Spaghetti Dinner at The Landing (Tuesday, Feb. 25)

The ASC Sisters at The Landing invite students to a special Heritage Month Spaghetti Night at 5:15 p.m.

(From left to right) Newman staff members Jack Schafer, Katherine Reynoso, Daniela Correa and Abbi Timmermeyer at the student booth on Giving Day.

Giving Day (Wednesday, Feb. 26)

Our 6th Annual Giving Day is all about the entire Newman University community coming together for a day of radical generosity. The day will be filled with games, prizes, community events, and celebrations, all in support of raising money for our current students.

Kaylee, Elginique, and John pose for a picture.

Board of Trustees Meeting (Friday, Feb. 28)

Student contest winners present projects to the Board of Trustees members.

Trivia Night Contest – Pop Culture Pandemonium (Friday, Feb. 28)

Newman University’s Student Life team will be presents its 3rd Annual Trivia Night starting at 7 p.m. as part of the annual Giving Day! Maximum of 6 people per team, and categories range from music, movies, television and other forms of entertainment.

Reserve tickets here

Student Spiritual Day of Quiet Reflection (Saturday, March 1)

This retreat will take place at the ASC Center.

Final week (March 3-9)

Auzier-Vinhotte, Newman President Kathleen Jagger, Sister Nadia Coppa, Sister Matija Pavic, S. Michelle Woodruff and Sister Tarcisia Roths.

Heritage Month Closing – ASC Foundation Day (Tuesday, March 4)

Join us for noon Mass in St. John’s Chapel followed by a social.

The Newman Bond - Ash Wednesday podcast

Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, March 5)

Mass will be offered at noon in St. John’s Chapel.

Check out the Heritage Month webpage for the latest information and schedule of events.


Explore Newman University’s history

The origins of Newman University can be traced to the village of Acuto, Italy, where in 1834 a young woman named Maria De Mattias founded the order of religious women, which would become the university’s sponsoring religious congregation, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC)…

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