Amid cheers, vibrant graduation attire and an atmosphere of celebration, Newman University honored the class of 2025 during its annual commencement ceremony at Park City Arena on Saturday, May 17.
A total of 406 graduates crossed the stage to receive their associate, bachelor’s, master’s and — for the first time in Newman history — doctoral degrees.
A year of firsts also featured a bittersweet year of lasts. Music Director Deanne Zogleman and pianist Carole Pracht led their final performance with the Newman chorale and troubadours before their retirement following more than 20 years of work at Newman. The students enthusiastically performed “I Gave It All” by Aquilo, which fittingly celebrated all that the class of 2025 has achieved.
Director of Mission Effectiveness Sister Therese Wetta, ASC, said it is “always a joy and thrill” to witness Newman students walk across the stage and receive their degree.
“It signifies the culmination of lots of hard work,” Wetta said. “I know that many of them have balanced jobs, family, studies and still many of us probably won’t know the extent of what it took them to get to today. But the chance to celebrate and rejoice with them is a very special occasion.”
‘Service over success’
Newman’s commencement speaker J.T. Klaus ‘87 set the tone with a challenge for graduates: to not just chase success, but to build lives of lasting impact.
Klaus, a partner and bond counsel for Triplett Woolf Garretson LLC, was awarded the 2025 St. Newman Medal for his unwavering commitment to service, visionary leadership and profound impact on Newman University and communities across Kansas. He was a member of Newman’s Board of Trustees and eventually became chair, gave six years of service as an officer of the Newman Alumni Association and even volunteered as the master of ceremonies for the annual Party on the Plaza fundraiser for 13 years.
While Klaus’ work has earned him recognition as a 40 under 40 Honoree, Lawyer of the Year and more, he believes it’s not the awards but the ability to “carry others with you to the top” that counts the most.
“My challenge for you today,” Klaus said, “is to ignore the life-sucking magnetism of success and instead seek a life of service and significance. Success will come and go, but the significance of service to others leaves a legacy that can last forever.”
Klaus drew the crowd’s attention to one 2025 graduate, Braden Oberle, who worked in Klaus’ law office a little more than a year ago. Klaus explained that one of Oberle’s significant contributions involved the preparation of legal documents for a $45 million financing for six new neighborhoods in Andover, Kansas, as well as a major expansion of their wastewater treatment plant.
“Fourteen thousand people are going to be able to flush their toilets because of Braden Oberle,” Klaus said. “Thousands of children are going to learn to ride their bicycles on safe streets and residential sidewalks because of Braden Oberle. He may very well have a lot of success in front of him, but he is already significant … today. Significance is quieter than success. It’s not measured by how much you take, but by how much you give.”
From dreams to doing: Graduates reflect
Newman celebrated its first graduates from two new doctoral programs: the Doctor of Business Administration and the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP).
President Kathleen Jagger, Ph.D., MPH, explained that the hooding of doctoral graduates at larger schools is often held in a separate ceremony. Not at Newman, however, which made it all the more special.
“It not only gives a spirit of accomplishment to those students who worked so hard to earn their doctoral degrees, but it also gives the rest of the students and the audience something to aspire to. They might think, ‘Maybe there’s more out there for me, too,’” Jagger said.
Twins Lucas and Blake Rawls, who both earned DNAP degrees, described graduation as a “crazy experience” after 24 years of continuous education. Before earning their doctoral degrees from Newman, Blake worked in the trauma intensive care unit at Oklahoma Medical Hospital, while Lucas worked in the cardiac center at the same hospital.
“It’s crazy being part of the inaugural class, just setting the blueprint for all the underclassmen coming up behind us,” Lucas said. “It’s been such a great experience and I’m super excited to call myself Dr. Rawls.”
Blake added, “This is our third degree, so this is the stamp. Now the gates have opened to what we want to do with our lives now and we’re very excited for it.”
Both have jobs lined up at McBride Orthopedic Hospital, where their father works in nurse anesthesia. They describe the opportunity to work with their father as “a dream come true.”
“I can’t think of a more surreal feeling than working together on that first day,” Blake added.
Lucas and Blake plan to take their wives on a joint vacation to celebrate the end of their educational chapter and the beginning of a new career.
“We’re both married and our wives are pretty much best friends with each other, so we’re going to finish up with this and treat them to a vacation to let them know that we appreciate them for supporting us along the way,” Blake said.
Ready to serve across several fields
Zion Feuin, a first-generation Master of Social Work graduate, said her love for serving others drew her to the field and inspired her to earn a graduate degree. As a student, she completed her practicum as a first-year student at Holy Savior Catholic School through Children First, then completed her senior practicum with Thrive Therapy of Kansas. She is currently employed by Thrive Therapy, where she works on case management and various therapies for Medicaid brain injury patients.
“To me, service means staying humble, putting others first and being empathetic,” Feuin said. “I’m grateful that my work allows me to positively impact so many lives.”
Graduation day represents much more than walking across the stage or moving her tassel from one side of her graduation cap to the other.
“This is really a day for me to honor my family and their hard work to help get me here,” Feuin said with tears in her eyes. “And also show my son that no matter what life may throw at you, you can do it. It means a lot to me.”
Makenna Reinert, a marketing major with a minor in communication, will always cherish her time as a volleyball player and the friendships made along the way. A Colorado native, she transferred to Newman during her junior year and has “loved every minute of it.”
“Being able to grow and experience all the ups and downs we have has made me a better person,” Reinert said. “My parents said I’ve come out of this school the strongest they’ve ever seen. Experiencing that family environment here was really great.”
Nursing graduate Allison Szewczyk is eager to start her career in the cardiac intensive care unit at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. The Alaska native said she is grateful for her professors who helped her develop confidence and a knowledge base she can always continue building on.
“Growing up Catholic, we’re taught to spread that compassion to others and carry that service forward,” Szewczyk said. “Growing up with my parents’ words and me being a science nerd, I’ve found my passion in nursing and can’t wait to get started.”
When it comes to leaving a legacy, students like Rylee Gresham, a Master of Science in Biomedical Science graduate, hope to bring joy to others’ lives daily. Her next step is to earn a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Newman, followed by medical school.
Her dream job is to become a dermatologist, but her ultimate goal is to pursue a life of significance akin to what Klaus described in his commencement address.
“I just want to be remembered as a good person — someone who can help my patients and help people in general enjoy life a little more,” Gresham said.
Recognizing great potential: The Ablah Awards
Each year at commencement, one male and one female are recognized for the most prestigious undergraduate awards at Newman: the Ablah Awards.
These awards were established by Fran and Geri (Ablah) Jabara to honor the memory of Geri’s parents, Harvey J. and Leona J. Ablah, and to perpetuate their vision of entrepreneurism and the American dream. Both award recipients must graduate with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and each student receives a monetary award.
The 2025 nominees were Andrea Fuentes, Ereka Hiser, Erika Iseman, Allie Johnson, Margaret Koenig, Emily Pachta, Isabel Porres, Alondra Valle, Juan Cordova, Daniel Cubias-Arteaga and Corbin Molina.
The winner of the Leona J. Ablah Award was Johnson, and the winner of the Harvey J. Ablah Award was Molina.
Honoring Allie Johnson
It was an honor for Johnson to be recognized as a nominee, but it was a “complete surprise” when she heard Vice President of Academic Affairs Alden Stout call her name as the Ablah Award winner.
“I really didn’t believe it,” Johnson said. “It was just an awe moment for me. All I could think was giving thanks to God for this opportunity.”
Johnson, an elementary education graduate, was recognized for her academic excellence, strong commitment to service and leadership. One nominator wrote, “Allie is inspired by her faith and the teachers who paved the way.”
Another nominator stated that she has made it her “life’s mission to create a safe and positive learning environment for her future students. She has a heart for those with special needs, including her brother Ty, and has made a positive difference in her community throughout her life and particularly during her time at Newman University.”
Johnson was active in the Student Government Association (SGA), the President’s Student Cabinet and as an athlete on the Newman Cheer and Dance teams. She was also involved in Campus Ministry, Jets for Life, Circle K International and Teacher’s Club.
As a first-year student, Johnson organized and assembled care packages for veterans in need. Additionally, she volunteered to support children with special needs at various social and recreational events and activities that fostered connections, joy and a sense of belonging. She has accepted a position as a first-grade teacher at Westmoreland Elementary, a Title I school where she plans to “make a real difference in the lives of her students.”
Johnson said she was always taught that service was one of the main priorities in life. Whether it’s be in advocating for her future students or volunteering in her community, Johnson plans to keep her heart centered on selflessness.
“Giving back to the community and giving back to anybody that’s helped you along the way is so important,” she said. “I want to be remembered for being the voice that others need to make a positive change in this world. I’m super excited to give back, not only to my family, but to the community back home.”
Honoring Corbin Molina
Molina’s jaw dropped when he heard his name called as an Ablah Award winner.
“I was blown away,” he said. “Just to have the chance to be up there as a nominee was an honor. I’m over the moon. Winning this award shows that I have had a positive influence on campus, and all I want to do is bring a light into this world.”
Molina, a chemistry major with a minor in theater, graduated a year early and was described by a nominator as someone who “always goes above and beyond in a selfless way.”
As an active student on campus, Molina was a member of the STEM Club, SGA, Newman Theatre Club and the MultiCultural Leadership Organization. He was also a member of the Newman chorale and troubadours. He entertained audiences by acting in nearly 20 Newman theater productions, including the lead role in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” which toured area high schools this past spring.
Since 2022, Molina has served as a volunteer and on the development committee for Passageways Ltd., a faith-based nonprofit that provides temporary housing and health services to veterans.
Director of Theatre Mark Mannette had the opportunity to mentor Molina during his studies at Newman and described him as “an exceptional talent” who captured audience attention in his theatrical roles. Mannette said Molina was on his mind right before Stout announced the winner.
“I had Corbin’s name in my head and sure enough they called it — boom, there it was,” Mannette said. “That was pretty amazing. And then to see his reaction … even as he stood on stage, listening to the reasons why he was selected, you could tell he was washed over with appreciation and gratitude for receiving the award.”
Molina plans to work at OxyChem, a chemical plant in Wichita, and eventually pursue a master’s degree in nuclear engineering. He also hopes to continue theater and music productions in his free time.
When campus visitors view the bronze plaque of Molina and his mentor in the Gorges Atrium in DeMattias Hall, he hopes they remember him for his work ethic and ability to adapt to “all that life throws at you.”
“My mom’s favorite quote is ‘every storm runs out of rain,'” Molina said. “I believe that there’s always a bright side to every dark situation, and I want to help be that for others.”
Final sentiments and a graduate sendoff
President Jagger considers Newman University graduation day to be “the best day of the year.”
“Today is really the day that measures our students’ success and our success,” Jagger said. “These students are the accumulation of all the efforts of everyone on campus. Everyone from the housekeeping staff, public relations team to the registrar’s office — it’s such a group effort, and it’s why Newman exists. It’s so joyful for all of us at Newman to celebrate this day with our graduates.”
Cheers echoed through the arena as each graduate crossed the stage and moved their tassels from right to left, marking their transition from students to alumni. Pat Edwards ‘07, president of the National Alumni Board, warmly welcomed graduates into a global network of more than 18,000 Newman alumni.
Their academic journey at Newman may be over, but no matter where they may go, the class of 2025 will be forever bonded as members of the Newman Jet family.
Graduates Colby Wilson, Christian Palmer and Andrew Hudson left Park City Arena not only with degrees and excitement for their futures, but also with lifelong friendships they’ll always rely on.
“Newman and being part of the baseball team gave me my best friends for the rest of my life, honestly,” said Wilson, a sports media and promotion major. “On top of that, Newman has definitely pushed us in the right steps for our career fields.”
“Coming from Colorado as a transfer, Andrew and Colby were the first people I got close with here at Newman,” said Palmer, a business marketing and management major. “Being able to build a community fast and have them welcome me with open arms really meant a lot. I’m sure we’ll stay friends forever.”
Though the celebration has ended, the call to live lives of significance has just begun.
“Go build, go create, go achieve — but in so doing, make sure you’re building something that matters; something that lifts others up; something that lasts,” Klaus concluded in his commencement address. “Go out and make a difference.”
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