Newman community celebrates end of the year with various events

From an epic Lip Sync Battle and Spring Fling to Scholars Day and the excellence awards, the Newman community is wrapping up the academic year with several festivities.

Here’s a look back on last week’s exciting events and what’s yet to come.

Tuesday, May 2

Jestspys

Newman University held its 2023 Jetspys Awards to celebrate the achievements of its talented athletes and teams over the course of the 2022-23 sports season. The university’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) organized and hosted the awards held in Fugate Gymnasium.

Wednesday, May 3

Lip Sync Battle

Campus Activities Board hosted its annual Lip Sync Battle for students, which was nothing short of spectacular.

The first place prize doubled from $500 to $1,000 when J.T. Klaus ’87, Board of Trustees chair, added $500 to the prize pool. The winning team was “Catherine’s Angels,” composed of students John Suffield, Austin Schwartz, Catherine Madison and Minh Nguyen.

The second place team was “The Aca’fellas” with chorale members Annie Krempl and Lily Hilgenfeld. “Throwback Girls” Hallie Johnson, Allie Johnson and Lucy Mwangi took third place.

Thursday, May 4

Spring Fling

The Newman campus celebrated its end-of-year bash with Spring Fling. Students enjoyed boba from Bubl Works tea truck, Chick-Fil-A foos and games like jousting, a watermelon eating contest, a dunk tank, mechanical bull, paint and plant activity and more.

Student Affairs also recognized student and club award winners during Spring Fling:

Outstanding Club Advisor of the Year: Huachuan Wen
Registered Student Club of the Year: Asian Student Association
University Affiliated Student Organization of the Year: Campus Activities Board
Student Leader of the Year: Ashley Dinh
Student Employee of the Year: Alondra Valle

A student launches onto the velcro wall. — A student launches onto the Velcro wall.

Friday, May 5

Scholars Day

During Scholars Day, Newman students presented their research papers, presentations and capstone projects to members of the Newman community. Click here to watch the Facebook live with student Hannah Mendez or the Instagram reel with education student Christina Olson.

Honors Program ceremony

Students of the Honors Program were recognized and celebrated during the program’s end-of-year ceremony.

The Margaret Di Silvestro Award, which is given to a graduating senior who exemplifies the “epitome of what a Newman Honors student should be,” was given to Averie Ashley, a biology pre-medicine major with a Spanish minor.

The ceremony not only honored its graduates and accomplishments from throughout the year, but also included the world premiere of “The Amazing Race, Honors Style,” created by Emily Simon.

First Friday senior showcase

Kirstin Richmeier of Holcomb, Kansas, presented her capstone work, “I see you and I am you.”

Richmeier’s artwork touches on the theme of mental health with a focus on anxiety and depression. Her body of work features 32 art pieces with a mix of some on 7×10-inch pieces of paper, others on 12×12-inch and still others on 20×20-inch paper. Each represents a different effect caused by depression or anxiety.

Staff and faculty excellence awards

Staff excellence award winner

Newman staff and faculty gathered to celebrate the 2023 excellence winners during a ceremony with snacks and drinks. There were more than 30 nominations for staff and 50 for faculty.

Emily Simon ’16, assistant director of Campus Ministry and the Honors Program, won the staff excellence award for her hard work and dedication to Newman.

Faculty excellence award winner

With more than 50 nominations for the faculty excellence award, the winner was Lindsey Stillwell, assistant professor of social work and interim director of the Bachelor of Social Work program.

Stillwell, who was out of town at the time of the awards ceremony, was surprised with the good news via Zoom with a phone call from President Kathleen Jagger.

Stillwell learned she was the faculty excellence award winner via phone call from President Kathleen Jagger.

Lab coat ceremony

During the Newman Lab Coat ceremony May 5, junior and senior science majors at Newman received personalized lab coats. Newman University is proud of the hard work these students have already put in and can’t wait to see what is in store for their futures.