Family, friends and supporters packed the DeMattias Performance Hall for the fall 2025 nursing and respiratory care pinning ceremony Dec. 5 at Newman University.
Of the 19 School of Healthcare Professions graduates, eight earned their Associate of Science in respiratory care, while 11 earned their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In addition to their academic achievements, each graduate received a ceremonial pin to commemorate their transition from student to graduate.
Dean of the School of Healthcare Professions Tim Cho, M.D., said the event symbolizes both the students’ hard work and a significant milestone as they enter into their vocation.
“I’m proud that we could provide the support our students needed to accomplish their goals,” Cho said. “And I’m super excited for our communities to benefit from their skill and their dedication.”
Significance of the pins
The Newman respiratory care pin follows the format of a traditional pin used by many respiratory care programs across the nation. It depicts the human lungs along with details like the segmental bronchi and the lung segments. It is a reminder to graduates that they are highly specialized clinicians who are experts in pulmonary disorders.
The Newman nursing pin was designed by the first graduating nursing class in 1984 and depicts images of a cross and lamp. The cross symbolizes Christian heritage, while the lamp represents both the light of knowledge and the long-associated nursing symbol that references Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
Keynote speech: ‘Your light matters’
Charity Clark, chief operating officer of McPherson Center for Health, was invited to address the graduates as the 2025 keynote speaker. She is a proven health care executive with extensive experience leading progressive, acute and post-acute care programs for nonprofit organizations. She is currently the Kansas Respiratory Care Society president and a member of the Kansas Hospital Association committee on policy and advocacy.
“During your time at Newman University, you’ve developed a flame that will cast a light that we need in health care today,” Clark said. “This light that’s burning in you is hope. It’s the reassurance in the patient’s eyes when you walk in the room; the calm you’ll bring to moments of crisis; the knowledge and compassion guiding your hands and your heart.”
Despite the long days, heavy challenges and uncertain outcomes that come with the nursing or respiratory care profession, Clark encouraged graduates to remember: “Your light matters.”
“It matters to the patients who feel alone, it matters to that family who is searching for answers and it matters to the team that depends on your strength,” Clark said. “Carry your light with you throughout every moment of care.”
The Rev. Ed Herzog gave a Catholic blessing over the pins:
“Lord Jesus, divine healer, we ask you to bless these symbols of the dedication and care that these new nurses and respiratory graduates will offer to those in need. May our graduates always be instruments of your healing love, bringing comfort and compassion to the sick and the suffering. Guide their hands and hearts to reflect your wisdom and mercy to every patient they serve.”
Noteworthy students
Outstanding Respiratory Care Graduate Award
The Outstanding Respiratory Care Graduate Award is selected based on input from the program’s clinical preceptors and faculty. The student awardee must exemplify academic excellence, professionalism and outstanding clinical competency.
“This year, it got a little interesting,” said Stacie Fox, director of the respiratory care program. “We had a three-way tie for this award.”
Respiratory care graduates Jessica Liebst, Haven Sjogren and Brittany Friend were recognized with the 2025 award.
Liebst was inspired to enter the respiratory care field after a respiratory therapist saved her daughter’s life.
“My daughter was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome, so she also has some breathing issues that go along with that,” Liebst explained. “A respiratory therapist saved her life when she got RSV a couple years ago, so I was inspired to study respiratory therapy myself. I really enjoy that one-on-one communication with the patients and troubleshooting.”
She accepted a job at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Wichita and begins her new role in January.
Sjogren of Lindsborg, Kansas, described the unexpected award as “very kind and generous of everyone.”
“I’m so thankful for everyone who voted for me and thought I was good enough to accept the award,” Sjogren said.
She credits her family, her fiancé, Brett, her clinical preceptors and faculty for helping her along the way. Sjogren added that she is excited to begin her job at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita in January.
Like Liebst, Friend’s interest in respiratory care began when she witnessed the care a loved one received. After serving as a medical coder for years with Ascension Via Christi Home Medical, Friend decided to enter Newman’s respiratory care program.
“My professors could not be better,” Friend said. “They’re amazing — caring, approachable, compassionate … everything. Everything we could hope for to get us through our journey.”
Friend was nearly brought to tears when she discovered those same professors selected her as one of the 2025 Outstanding Respiratory Care Graduate Award recipients.
“I’m in shock, to be honest,” Friend said. “It’s a great feeling and means a lot.”
Friend said she is excited to begin her role at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis.
Distinguished Bachelor of Science in Nursing Graduate Award
Each semester, the Distinguished Bachelor of Science in Nursing Graduate Award is presented to a student who exemplifies academic excellence, meaningful engagement in school and community activities and a deep commitment to the nursing profession.
Katie Metzger won the 2025 award. Metzger was described as an “exceptional example of leadership and service” by Associate Professor of Nursing Nancy Lugo-Baez.
Metzger was actively involved in the Newman Cheer & Dance teams and was selected by her coaches to serve on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Within the nursing program, she served as the secretary for the Nursing Student Council Board, as a peer tutor and as a member of Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing. Within the community, Metzger volunteered with the ICT Street Team, where she helped individuals experiencing homelessness receive essential health care services. Additionally, Metzger volunteers at Ascension Via Christi St. Teresa Hospital, assisting visitors with transportation and guidance.
Even while serving as her grandmother’s full-time caregiver the past three years, Metzger managed to excel as a Newman nursing graduate and active student leader.
“It meant a lot (to be recognized),” Metzger said. “I’m not the only person that’s distinguished; I feel like everyone else is, too, but it meant a lot because I feel like I worked really hard for it.”
She has accepted a position in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital.
“I did my capstone there, and I saw people come in really sick, but then after their surgeries I’d see people actually recover and do better,” Metzger said. “I’m excited to take care of others, apply what I’ve learned and be out on my own.”
Congratulations to the class of 2025
The fall 2025 graduates of the Associate of Science in respiratory care are:
- Fatima Arce
- Gimena Casas
- Elvis Cruz
- Brittany Friend
- Jessica Liebst
- McKenzie King
- Haven Sjogren
- Kevin Tran
The fall 2025 graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing are:
- Prisca Bahati*
- Taylor Bally*
- Lucy Cheatum*
- Mery Cruz Hernandez
- Chey’enne James
- Elise Koontz
- Katie Metzger*
- Daisy Vital
- Rachel Waboshi*
- Mya Williams
- Natalie Yerton
*Sigma Theta Tau
Explore the Newman School of Healthcare Professions
Graduates of Newman’s programs are highly sought after by the health care community in Wichita and the region.
