Newman University celebrated two standout employees during its annual celebration of the staff and teaching excellence awards on May 23.
The ceremony, held in the Dugan Gorges Conference Center, began with a welcome from Sister Therese Wetta, ASC, who emphasized the spirit of gratitude and unity at Newman.
“This community’s active involvement in nominating peers reflects a genuine desire to affirm and recognize the good we see in one another,” she said.
Advanced Standing Coordinator Candace Davis and Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Kristi Barton Edwards were honored for their exemplary service, dedication and impact on campus and beyond.
Staff excellence award: Candace Davis
Newman President Kathleen Jagger, Ph.D., MPH, shared that Davis was chosen for her “tireless leadership,” campus involvement and mentorship of students. These qualities were echoed in numerous nominations from students, fellow staff and faculty members.
“Through Candace’s leadership, the advanced standing program has grown with multiple new entities and students participating,” Jagger said. “She is developing local high school students into world learners to go out and transform society every day.”
Davis said receiving the award was both unexpected and deeply meaningful.
“When you go out and you give every day because Newman allows you to do that, you just don’t think about anything else — you’re just doing what you do,” Davis said. “Getting involved with the students, being there for them, is just what we do as a community.”
Since joining Newman nearly four years ago, Davis has been involved in a wide range of campus initiatives, including Staff Assembly, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization as a spiritual companion, Residence Life hiring and events such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Awards and Juneteenth celebrations. She also served on the former Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee, focusing on building bridges between campus and the wider community.
To top off her other accomplishments, she is also a doctoral student in the Newman Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program.
“The most rewarding aspect has been being able to really grow as a person,” Davis added. “Here, you feel like you’re family rather than just an employee.”
Davis, who taught for 20 years before joining Newman and is also an adjunct professor within the School of Business and Technology, said she hopes to expand her teaching career.
“I’d love to become a professor, maybe be part of the MBA (Master of Business Administration) or DBA program,” she said. “I’m already teaching macroeconomics and principles of management, and I enjoy helping adult learners thrive.”
Teaching excellence award: Kristi Barton Edwards
Edwards was recognized for her engaging teaching style, dedication to student success and deep-rooted involvement in the community.
One student wrote, “Professor Edwards’ passion in the classroom is infectious. She brings high expectations and the passion and compassion needed to push students to meet them.”
Edwards, who joined Newman full-time in 2014 after six years as an adjunct, has worn many hats — from professor to Faculty Senate president and division chair of the social sciences.
Although she was sick the day of the awards ceremony, she was still just as honored for the recognition.
“My reaction to the award was shock and awe and a truckload of warm fuzzies,” Edwards said. “I love Newman, I adore my current and former students and I respect my colleagues — which makes winning their affection this year so meaningful to me.”
Her students especially appreciate her upbeat teaching methods. One nominator shared, “Every morning she starts with a song that she sings and dances to. She brings energy to this campus.”
Edwards said that practice grew from her early morning sociology classes.
“I realized I may be the only person actually awake and ready to rock at 8 a.m.,” she joked. “So, I instituted a strict theme song policy. Recently, I’ve taken it as my responsibility to expose students to Yacht Rock — there’s something so wonderfully smooth about Hall & Oates in the morning.”
Outside the classroom, Edwards serves on various campus committees and supports the work of the Wichita Police Department, the Maize judicial system and local organizations supporting unhoused individuals. She’s also vice president of the Board of Trustees at the Museum of World Treasures.
“The most rewarding aspect of my gig at Newman is working with folks who love learning,” she said. “Newman is a world within the world that, especially in these times, does not exist anywhere else. It is a privilege and an honor to be part of the special and unique way of life that is Newman University.”
Celebrating honorable mentions
Other staff and faculty members recognized for multiple nominations included Zach Brake, Georgia Drewes, James Sanny, Tiffany Webster, Whitney Burke, Alan Oberley and Teresa Wilkerson.
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