Many of the students that once walked the halls of Newman University have made positive transformations in local and global societies. They understand Newman University’s mission and they continue to support the mission in their professional and personal lives. Some of those have gone beyond what Newman University could ever ask of them.
In kind, Newman University hosts the annual Cardinal Newman Banquet and Awards Ceremony to give recognition to these alumni and friends.
Join us for this year’s banquet on Feb. 27 – RSVP for this event
2016 Honorees
Cardinal Newman Medal:
Dr. Michael G. and Carm Ludlow
Dr. Michael and Carm Ludlow have a long and rich relationship with Newman University that spans four decades and includes the generous sharing of their talents and gifts through financial support, leadership and thousands of hours of service.
Dr. Ludlow earned an undergraduate chemistry degree in 1978 before proceeding to the University of Kansas School of Medicine. After medical school he completed his family practice residency at St. Francis Hospital and was awarded First Year Resident of the Year. He was named Chief Resident in his third year. Dr. Ludlow is board certified in Family Medicine and has practiced at West Wichita Family Physicians since 1985.
In 1987, he began serving his alma mater as a Board of Trustees member. That service would span six terms and 18 years, including four years as Chair, 1994 – 1998.
It was in his first term that the Board took up discussions regarding the potential closing of what was then Kansas Newman College. Dr. Ludlow, along with the other Board members, tackled the challenging times with the leadership and skill of a medical professional guiding a patient through a life-threatening illness. The Board at that time, under the leadership of Larry Klenda, played a crucial role in leading Newman back to health. Dr. Ludlow credits the naming of Tarcisia Roths, ASC president as being the most important decision the Board made to keep Newman viable.
During his two terms as Chair, Dr. Ludlow headed efforts to construct Fugate Gymnasium and the De Mattias Fine Art Center, plus the school’s name change to Newman University. In addition to receiving our university’s highest alumni honor, Dr. Ludlow received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Newman in 1999.
Like her husband, Carm (Faber) Ludlow has been a strong advocate for Newman and Catholic higher education, and over the years has played important roles in various Newman committees. As a student at Kansas Newman College, she was active in Commissen (student government) and was a cheerleader. She earned an undergraduate degree in English in 1979. Carm helped support the family by teaching English in the Kansas City area while her husband attended medical school.
After the Ludlows returned to Wichita, Carm continued her teaching career at Goddard High School and later served as a substitute teacher and volunteer at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic schools. She chaired and served on numerous Newman committees, including Party on the Ponderosa, The Art of Food and Drink and Oktoberfest – Party on the Plaza. She also volunteered many times for the Renaissance Faire and Cardinal Newman Week High Tea, and volunteered for the Newman Alumni Office for five years. Carm has hosted many people in the Ludlow home (to help keep area alumni engaged with the university and to introduce members of the Catholic community to Newman). She is also a skilled seamstress, and has done personalized embroidery on many shirts in support of athletic teams and events. Carm has been a member of the ASC Associates, a group for lay persons who join in the study of St. Maria De Mattias’ charism and teachings, since 2011.
The Ludlows, with support from Michael’s father John, sister Liz Ludlow Di Silvestro ’82, and niece Maggie Di Silvestro ’11, established the Margaret H. Ludlow Endowed Scholarship fund in 1997 in memory of Mike’s mother. The scholarship aids students with a GPA of 2.5 or better and may be used to fund other Newman scholarships, as well.
Leon A. McNeill Distinguished Alumni Award:
Robert Martin MD ‘83
The Leon A. McNeill Distinguished Alumni Award honors graduates who have achieved outstanding success in their personal lives and careers.
For 25 years, Dr. Martin, a family practice physician, has served the people of West Plains and the surrounding communities in this Ozark region of Missouri. He is a founding physician and continues to volunteer with the West Plains Christian Clinic, a facility that serves the medically uninsured of the region. In 2002 Dr. Martin made his first medical mission trip to Falmouth, Jamaica, and he continues to organize an annual trip with a team of 20 to 29 medical and dental personnel to serve the needs of the people there. Other service includes building projects and Vacation Bible School for the youth. Dr. Martin has served as the volunteer team physician for the MASU-WP University’s men’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams for 22 years. Additionally, he is involved in the civic community and serves his church as a Sunday school teacher, a lay reader, a member of the administrative counsel and chair of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. He and his wife Melody are originally from Iola, Kan., and have two children.
Beata Netemeyer Service Award:
Richard Klinge JD ‘71
This award honors alumni who continue the spirit of service of Beata Netemeyer, ASC, as they minister with others bringing about the mission of Christ.
A graduate of Washburn School of Law in 1974, Dick Klinge began a career as legal counsel for the Oklahoma-based TG&Y Corporation. After it ceased operation, he began private practice in Oklahoma City for several years. During this time he participated in the “Just Faith” spiritual program with its emphasis on Catholic Social Teachings and Dick began to see a new application for his legal practice. He left private practice to join Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. He works especially with undocumented immigrants, particularly in their efforts to become United States citizens. In 2014 he led a legal team that served the undocumented being held at Tinker AFB. He has mobilized ecumenical and interfaith collaboration with this ministry and continues to give much of his time to education of the general public about this issue. Dick has in his heart and his head moved from a corporate attorney to a passionate attorney serving persons who are poor.
St. Maria De Mattias Award:
Melissa Grelinger BA ‘82
This award honors alumni who have given meritorious and continuous support and stewardship to Newman University and Catholic life.
Melissa Grelinger, a Wichita native, has a degree in management science. After graduation, she worked for what was then Bank IV as a trust officer and later managed an accounting office for a property management company in Denver, Colo. Married to another NU alumnus, Bart, she returned to Wichita when he was ready to begin his medical practice. In December 2012, Melissa was named interim director of Catholic Charities Inc. in Wichita, a position she held until 2014. She had served on its board for three years. Melissa has volunteered with various Wichita organizations, such as the Medical Alliance of Sedgwick County and Kansas Medical Alliance and is active in her parish. She has served on numerous Newman committees. She and Bart have two children, both of whom attended Newman.
Spirit of Acuto Award:
Teresa Lovelady MSW ’10
This award honors alumni and friends who have been a driving force, using their talent and training at critical junctures to move a vision to reality.
Teresa Lovely used her MSW/MBA from Newman to become the CEO of The Center for Health and Wellness in Wichita, a not-for-profit serving the underserved. In five years she has helped change the Center from an almost “death” situation to a thriving clinic serving the people of the low-income neighborhood in which it is located. Now named HealthCore Clinic, there are six physicians, four mental health care providers and a substance abuse program in the clinic. The center focuses on prevention and wellness education and decreasing high-risk behaviors. Teresa has a passion to help underprivileged people because she herself grew up in an unstable and sad situation in Chicago where she raised her two younger brothers. Teresa is a successful grant writer and collaborator with many groups in Wichita for the growth of HealthCare Clinic, which is currently engaged in a campaign to increase the space of the clinic.
This article has been revised to reflect the following: Jan. 27, 2016 This article contains additional information about Dr. Michael G. and Carm Ludlow.
