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)
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?'”
Submit entries to [email protected] beginning Feb. 1.
Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony | Saturday, Feb. 1
Join us for our Newman Jets Hall of Fame Banquet during which individuals and teams will be honored for their contribution to Newman Athletics. A cocktail hour starts at 5 p.m. followed by the 6 p.m. ceremony in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center. Purchase tickets here.
Medallion Scavenger Hunt | Monday, Feb. 3- Friday, Feb. 7
Students can look for clues, published each day at 8 a.m., on the Heritage Month webpage, in the Jet Broadcast or Newman social media and search the campus for the Newman Medallion. The first person to turn in the medallion to Sister Therese Wetta (first floor, Sacred Heart Hall) wins a prize.
Birthday of St. Maria De Mattias | Wednesday, Feb. 5
- Noon Mass in honor of ASC founder St. Maria De Mattias, St. John Chapel
- 5:30-7 p.m. Italian dinner celebration of Feast of St. Maria De Mattias, Mabee Dining Center
Week 2 – Homecoming week (Feb. 10-14)
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.
Tuesday, Feb. 11 | 1-2:30 p.m.
Enjoy free cupcakes courtesy of Student Life in the Student Activities Center in Dugan.
Wednesday, Feb. 12 | 1-2:30 p.m.
Join us for a Homecoming Court meet and greet with Boba from Leaf Teahouse and baos to celebrate the Chinese New Year. This event is sponsored by Student Life in the Student Activities Center in Dugan.
Wednesday, Feb. 12 – Homecoming in Fugate Gym
- 5:30 p.m. Women’s basketball game vs Nebraska Kearney
- 7:30 p.m. Men’s basketball game vs Nebraska Kearney
- The homecoming king and queen will be crowned be during halftime of the men’s game.
Thursday, Feb. 13 | 1-2:30 p.m.
Join us for Nostalgia Day with the Student Government Association! Enjoy free treats from your childhood, sponsored by Student Life & SGA.
Friday, Feb. 14 | 8:30-10 a.m.
Join us for a Jet Friday donut and meet the newly crowned homecoming king and queen in the Student Activities Center. Residence Life sponsors this event.
Friday, Feb. 14 | 8-10 p.m.
Enjoy fellowship and fun during the Valentine’s Day-themed Homecoming Mixer in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center.
This Student Life-sponsored event features free food, drinks, a DJ, photo booth and chocolate fountain.
Week 3 (Feb. 17-23)
Tuesday, Feb. 18
Heritage Month contest closes
Thursday, Feb. 20 | 2-6:30 p.m.
Enjoy tea and delicious special foods of St. Newman’s time in an elegant setting during the much-anticipated High Tea event in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Room of Dugan Library.
Friday, Feb. 21 | Noon
Mass to honor St. Newman on his birth date
Sunday, Feb. 23 | 7 p.m.
Join us for a presentation by Wyatt Olivas, a U.S. college student participant in the Synod on Synodality with Pope Francis.
Week 4 (Feb. 24-March 2)
Monday, Feb. 24
Join us for a noon luncheon and 7 p.m. with Wyatt Olivias, a U.S. college student participant in the Synod on Synodality with Pope Francis.
Tuesday, Feb. 25 | 5:15 p.m.
The ASC sisters invite students to a special Heritage Month Spaghetti Dinner at The Landing
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.
Friday, Feb. 28 | 8 a.m.
Student contest winners present projects to Board of Trustees members.
Friday, Feb. 28 | 7 p.m.
Newman University’s Student Life team will present its 3rd Annual Trivia Night Contest – Pop Culture Pandemonium 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.
Saturday, March 1
Student Spiritual Day of Quiet Reflection retreat at the ASC Center.
Final week (March 3-9)
Tuesday, March 4 | Noon
Join us for Mass in St. John’s Chapel followed by a social for ASC Foundation Day.
Wednesday, March 5 | Noon
Ash Wednesday Mass 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).
