Every year, Newman hosts a day known as Accepted Students Day, during which students who have been accepted to the university are invited to the campus. The special event helps prospective students get connected and feel comfortable with Newman.
This year, the Newman Admissions team turned Accepted Students Day into a community-wide bash called Jet Fest that took place 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 2, on Founder’s Plaza.
A day of activities and fun
The event included a photo booth, Chick-fil-A food, snowcones, a caricature artist, a balloon artist and games. It also had booths for Newman student organizations and clubs including Gardening Club, The Vantage student newspaper and Newman Disc Golf Club to name a few.
The Adorers of the Blood of Christ sisters, President Kathleen Jagger, Newman Chaplain Father Adam Grelinger, the Newman Cheer and Dance team, and Newman mascot Johnny Jet were all in attendance.
Student attendees and staffs thoughts
High school senior Chaise Turner had great things to say about Jet Fest.
“I’ve only been here about 30 minutes and I’m having a blast. I got my picture done, food was provided and I met fantastic people. It’s been a really good experience,” Turner said. “I really just want a good environment for college and this is really like that, and I could see myself going here.”
Rebekah Strickbine, another senior in high school, said she is very interested in attending Newman as she took a dual credit class and had a lot of fun. Her sister Hope also attends Newman, and she said that it has been great to hear from her sister and see how great the Newman community is.
Senior Elginique Dames described how Jet Fest served as a warm welcome into the Newman community.
“The people here at Newman have made it feel like home. Everyone here is so nice and everyone’s so welcoming,” Dames said.
Newman’s first Jet Fest
Georgia Drewes, associate director of admissions, said that the event turned out great and that she can’t wait to make the event even better next year.
“This is the first time we’ve attempted an event like this, and I think it went well,” Drewes said. “The weather was beautiful, I got to witness students interacting with our campus community and finding new friends amongst the prospective students in attendance.”
She added, “It was just cool to see members of Newman giving their Saturday afternoon to help make the event a success. And as the events coordinator for the Office of Admissions, I learned some lessons and will make some tweaks for the event to be bigger and better in 2023.”
