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, 2024, that celebrate our founders the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC), as well as our namesake St. John Henry Newman. Additionally, the Newman community is hosting a variety of Black History Month events including lunch and learns.
From student contests and scavenger hunts to guest speakers and honorary 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.
Heritage Month Student Contest (Feb. 1–16)
Students can submit their essay, graphic art or TikTok responses to the question “What advice would St. Maria or St. Newman give to you students living in today’s world?” Out of all entries, three winners (of any category) will receive prizes for their work.
Mass in honor of St. Maria De Mattias (Feb. 1)
Join us at noon in St. John’s Chapel to kick off Heritage Month with a Mass in honor of St. Maria De Mattias, founder of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. Then join us for a lunch of Italian food and birthday cake in Mabee Dining Center, sponsored by Campus Ministry.
Join us for Art for Lunch — a chance for students to enjoy a pizza lunch and hear from the Steckling Gallery’s monthly featured artist — every Thursday before the First Friday of the month. Art for Lunch is at noon in the Steckline Gallery.
This month’s featured artist is Lauren Fitzgerald presenting her work “Symbiosis.”
Staff, faculty and outside guests are welcome to attend, but we ask that you please bring your lunch with you.
All students are invited to join Campus Ministry in celebrating a Catholic feast day at 12:30 p.m. (following Mass). We’ll meet in the student center to enjoy lunch and a presentation or activity to celebrate.
Community members are invited to First Friday in the Steckline Gallery, 5-7 p.m. every first Friday of the month.
This month’s featured artist is Lauren Fitzgerald presenting her work “Symbiosis.”
Medallion Scavenger Hunt (Feb. 5-9)
Students, look out for clues in the Jet Broadcast and search the campus for the Newman Medallion Feb. 5-9. The first person to find it and turn it in to Sister Therese Wetta (first floor, Sacred Heart Hall) wins a prize.
MLK Jr. Distinguished Service Award ceremony (Feb. 8)
Student Life invites you to be part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award ceremony on Feb. 8 from 4-5 p.m. in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center. This event honors Newman students, faculty and staff who demonstrate a solid commitment to fostering positive change, promoting inclusivity, and advancing the cause of equality for all.
Use the following link to nominate your candidate: https://forms.gle/bMQ5Bqxy6PtEfURv7
Beyond February: Unearthing Hidden Gems in Black History (Feb. 13)
J. Michelle Vann presents an overview of Black History Month during a special noon luncheon in the Dugan Conference Center. Vann is a featured TEDx speaker and international presenter as well as an Amazon bestselling author of books that help women heal their minds, bodies, and spirits. She is a community servant at heart, serving in her local church and various community organizations. Please RSVP here.
Lunch and Learn: Black Inventors (Feb. 16)
Brad Richards from The Kansas African American Museum joins us to explore the wealth of Black inventors and their integral contributions as part of our Black History Month celebration. Lunch provided at noon in Bishop Gerber Science Center room 105. Please RSVP here.
Contest submissions due (Feb. 16)
All essay, graphic arts and TikTok entries for the Heritage Month student contest are due by 11:59 p.m.
St. Newman’s Birthday – Mass & High Tea (Feb. 21)
Celebrate the birthday of our namesake, St. Newman, in style. First, join us in the celebration of Mass at noon in St. John’s Chapel. Then head to one of Newman’s most beloved on-campus traditions: the St. John Henry Newman High Tea.
From 2-7 p.m. in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center, enjoy this come-and-go event with tea, delicious finger foods and the company of the Newman community. Guests are encouraged to wear their fanciest hats, peruse the one-of-a-kind tea sets on each decorated table and pay homage to St. Newman’s English heritage.
Dueling Pianos Night at Newman University includes a yummy dinner, drinks and a fun, exciting, and interactive performance by the dueling pianos guys from HiFi Productions. Bring your tip money and try to stump them with your obscure favorite song. All proceeds from this event will go towards the 5th Annual Newman University Giving Day on Feb. 28.
Doors open at 6 p.m. in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center.
Early bird tickets are available through Jan. 31 for $30; after Jan. 31 tickets will be $38 per person. Purchase tickets here
Join us for a 7 p.m. performance by students of the Sloppy Joe Improv Troupe in the Jabara Flexible Theatre.
Spaghetti Supper with the ASC sisters (Feb. 27)
Students are welcome to join the ASC sisters for a free and delicious spaghetti supper at 5:15 p.m. at The Landing (across from Carrocci Hall).
2024 Giving Day at Newman (Feb. 28)
For 24 hours on Giving Day Wednesday, Feb. 28, generations of Newman Jets will come together in celebration and support of the university by giving back to the area of campus that matters most to them.
Visit newmanu.edu/givingday to make a difference!
Pop Culture Through the Decades Trivia Night (Feb. 28)
As part of Newman University’s Annual Giving Day, Student Life will be hosting a Pop Culture Through the Decades Trivia Night at 6:30 p.m. Assemble your team and compete against other members of the Newman community in this contest where your knowledge of movies, television, game shows, music, sports and other popular culture events will be put to the test.
Sign up today with a maximum number of six individuals per team to compete for first place, a $300 gift card prize pack!
General public pricing is $10 per person, or $50 for a six-person table. RSVP here.
Student tickets are $5 per person. RSVP here.
Join us for Art for Lunch — a chance to enjoy lunch and hear from the Steckling Gallery’s monthly featured artist — every Thursday before the First Friday of the month. Art for Lunch is at noon in the Steckline Gallery.
Join us for one of the liveliest events of the academic year — Newman University Homecoming. Cheer on the Jets as the basketball teams take on Missouri Western in the Fugate Gymnasium. Women play at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s game starts at 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the crowning of student Homecoming royalty at halftime of the men’s basketball game in the Fugate Gymnasium.
Newman theater presents “Treasure Island” (March 1-3)
Join us for the Newman theater production “Treasure Island” March 1-3.
Tickets are available for purchase online or at the door. Reserve your tickets online today: https://onthestage.tickets/newman-university
Students, get ready to sport your best attire for this evening filled with music, delicious food, and memory-making moments with your Newman friends. The fun is from 7-9 p.m. in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center.
This event is not open to the public.
Student Spiritual Retreat (March 2)
Rest and rejuvenate during this student spiritual retreat sponsored by Mission Integration, Campus Ministry and the ASCs.
Join us for a Mass at noon in St. John’s Chapel followed by a social to close out Heritage Month.
