Excitement is building as the date for Wichita’s Party on the Plaza fundraiser, themed around the Roaring 20’s, draws near.
On Sept. 28, community members will come together for an evening of delicious food and drinks, unique auction items and spectacular entertainment with the singular goal of raising money for Newman University student financial aid. It will take place at Newman University on Founder’s Plaza, just outside of the DeMattias Fine Arts Building.
The generous contributions of current and past sponsors have been instrumental in making Party on the Plaza as impactful as it is.
“Party on the Plaza is an event that benefits several people, both within the school and our community,” Events Coordinator Abbi Timmermeyer said. “It gets people excited and passionate about the institution and our mission. Our students are our No. 1 priority and the community has a chance to be a huge part of that.”
Order of the Night
The Roaring 20’s-themed fundraising event will kick off at 4:30 p.m. with an optional Mass in St. John’s Chapel. At 5 p.m., festivities begin at Founder’s Plaza with drinks, social time, games and a chance to peruse the silent auction items. The event features a bourbon tasting ($50 tickets), a 360-degree photo booth (free of charge) and a spectacular fireworks display to end the evening.
Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. with live entertainment from Newman University theater and music departments. Additionally, student volunteers will sell 100 Golden Tickets, which cost $100 each and offer guests a chance to win a live auction item. Before the live auction, a golden ticket number will be drawn and the winner will get to pick from any live auction packages. A live auction will be hosted by auctioneer Charlie Moon.
Reservations are required for Party on the Plaza: Roaring 20’s; the final day to reserve tickets is Friday, Sept. 27. Roaring 20’s-inspired costumes are encouraged but not required. Tickets may be purchased at newmanu.edu/pop.
A special twist
For the first time, a Newman student will serve as Party on the Plaza’s emcee.
Faith Crabb, a secondary education major in her junior year, is a highly involved student at Newman. Not only is she a student worker for Mail and Copy but she also serves in leadership roles for both Gaming Club and the Campus Activities Board. Some may even recognize her from the comedic 2023 Newman musical performance of “The Wedding Singer.”
Crabb said she is excited to help “rile up the crowd, get them spending and have some fun.”
“It means a lot to me because Party on the Plaza is a fundraiser for students, so having a student emcee and helping be the face of everything that’s not the auction is super important,” she said. “I feel like I’m helping raise funds not just for myself, but also for everyone else — all the other students who are here at Newman.”
J.T. Klaus ’87 served as the master of ceremonies for Party on the Plaza from 2010-2023.
“If, as an alum, you were blessed to receive any assistance with your own tuition, this is the easiest and most fun way you will find to help provide that same opportunity for others,” Klaus said.
If, as an alum, you were blessed to receive any assistance with your own tuition, this is the easiest and most fun way you will find to help provide that same opportunity for others.
J.T. Klaus ’87
Live auction packages
Several exclusive packages are up for grabs during the 2024 live auction. One lucky golden ticket winner will receive the live auction item of his or her choice.
- Dinner with President Jagger
- Dinner with Bishop Carl Kemme
- Party in the Alumni Center (includes rental of the Alumni Center for up to 8 hours, 12 bottles of wine and $500 from Great Western Dining)
- Wooden side table handcrafted by Fr. Tom Welk
- Winspire trip to New York
- Winspire trip to Tennessee
- Advertising package from Eck Auto Group and Kyle Eck
Those unable to attend in person can still support the event by donating or bidding on silent auction items. Online bidding goes live on Monday, Sept. 23. Every dollar donated directly benefits student financial aid.
Thanks to sponsors
Special thanks to Dale Withers and David (’01, ’11) and Glenna Borho for being this year’s VIP sponsors of Party on the Plaza.
Presenting Sponsors
- Adorers of the Blood of Christ
- Legacy Bank
- Simpson Construction Services
Event Sponsors
- Dr. Noreen Carrocci and Bob Benson ’20
- Dondlinger Construction
- Eck Auto Group
- Forvis Mazars
- Drs. Kathleen and Jim Jagger
- Triplett Woolf Garretson, LLC
Table Sponsors
- Ascension Via Christi
- John and Dianne Carney ’75
- Coleman Materials
- Beth ’21 and Tom Fatkin
- Gentry Private Wealth
- Great Western Dining Services
- IMA of Wichita & Blake Wells
- imageQUEST A Xerox Company
- J.T. Klaus ’87
- KU School of Medicine – Wichita
- Mike ’78 and Carm ’79 Ludlow
- Spirit AeroSystems
Young Alumni Table Sponsors
- Equity Bank
Party Sponsors
- Shaken or Stirred Bartending
View the full schedule of events at newmanu.edu/pop.
Reserve your tickets for Party on the Plaza: Roaring 20’s
Party on the Plaza: Roaring 20’s on Sept. 28 is about more than just food, drinks and fun. It is about living out the Newman mission and truly transforming society.
