Ninety-two first-year students received 2023 scholarships from Newman University.
Each of the students submitted applications and interviewed for the scholarships in a record-breaking scholarship competition at Newman University.
Five students were awarded a 2023 St. Newman Scholarship, 41 students received the Monsignor Leon McNeill Scholarship, 39 students the ASC Service Award and 53 students an Honors Grant.
Students selected for the awards are listed below.
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St. Newman Scholarship recipients
The St. Newman Scholarship is Newman’s highest valued award, providing full tuition for four years to each student. The scholarship is named for St. John Henry Newman, namesake of Newman University.
The scholarship is the most exclusive Newman University award and is given to only five high-achieving students each year. Applicants must have at least a 3.9 cumulative high school GPA to apply. St. Newman scholars must complete 32 hours of community service each semester.
The 2023 St. Newman Scholarship winners are the following:
April Burnett
April Burnett, from Mulvane High School, plans to be a psychology major at Newman. She has a passion for service-driven work and is excited to “try and inspire others to also fall in love with community service and all that entails at Newman.”
In her application essay, Burnett discussed her life motto: “Do good in the world by first doing good in the life of one person.”
“When I was younger and first considering social/ volunteer work as a career, I would always focus on the big picture: Me running a homeless shelter, a domestic violence shelter, a group home, a food bank,” she wrote. “While those are good goals and still goals I have in mind, the problem was that I was focusing on where I would end up instead of where others would end up after I helped them.”
On a campus tour, Burnett learned more about Newman’s pillar of service and knew she was in the right place to pursue her lifelong goals.
“It all makes it clear that Newman is both a clear path in the road and a guiding hand that will help me get to where I want to be,” she said.
Burnett was a member of the National Honors Society and served as president of the Kansas Association of Youth as a high schooler. She volunteered in her school’s theater department as stage manager and assistant director.
Her parents are Jimmie Burnett and Cynthia Rademacher.
Anna Lobmeyer
St. Newman scholarship recipient Anna Lobmeyer attended Garden City High School. She plans to major in secondary education with a focus in history/ government.
She wrote in her application essay that “teaching is one of the best acts of service one can offer, and the Adorers have a long history with that act. With that heritage and Newman’s small class sizes and student population, I will have good examples to use later in my own career, as I hope to teach high school of a similar size and serve my own community back home in Garden City.”
Lobmeyer said she immediately felt at home on campus when she saw the St. Joseph statue by the 100-year-old Sacred Heart Hall.
“My dad is a farmer — a very hard worker — and seeing the statue reminded me that at Newman, I will still have similar people watching over me wherever I go.”
Lobmeyer participated in cross-country, track and field, marching band, forensics and the National Honor Society throughout high school. She made the principal’s honor roll all four years, won two InnerView National Community Service awards and was a National Merit Commended Student.
Lobmeyer is the oldest of seven younger siblings. Her parents are Matthew and Elizabeth Lobmeyer.
Grecia Nunez-Palomares
For Grecia Nunez-Palomares of Wichita High School North, transforming society is a “stepping stone that can be both hard and fulfilling.”
Nunez-Palomares was drawn to Newman for its prestigious science program. As a biomedical science major, she hopes to attain the knowledge and skills needed to pursue her dream of becoming a medical lab scientist.
“I hope to continue my studies, join clubs, meet new people, contribute, grow and most importantly impact others to do the same,” Nunez-Palomares said. “Growing and inspiring comes with great power and great minds, only those who truly believe and push past their weaknesses and imperfections can blossom in the spring.”
In high school, Nunez-Palomares was on the honor roll for three consecutive years, earned student of the month and participated in tennis, where she received two academic letter awards. She was a member of the National Honors Society, German Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society. Additionally, she contributed to community service projects within her high school, Marshall Middle School, Century II and Tanganyika.
Her parents are Miguel Nunez and Maria Palomares.
Aiden Rea
Aiden Rea attended Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kansas. He intends to major in management at Newman University.
Rea wrote that he has been privileged to experience “amazing people who want me to succeed.
“Although many universities claim this, few demonstrate that will as well as Newman has recently,” Rea said. “The few interactions I have had with the students at Newman have all been positive and the professors show their genuine interest in everyone and their futures.”
In his essay, Rea reflected on Joseph Conrad’s “The Heart of Darkness,” stating that a person can only be as successful as the “environment around them allows them to be.”
“I plan on embracing the Newman and Wichita community to not only expand my exposure to new people but also new opportunities,” he said. “Newman clearly believes in using its strong communities to support students’ endeavors inside and outside of the classroom. I’m excited to be a part of that community and contribute to a culture we can all be proud of.”
Rea’s parents are James and Angie Rea.
Maya Watkins
St. Newman scholar Maya Watkins attended East Buchanan High School in Agency, Missouri. She plans to major in pre-medicine with a minor in Spanish so she can eventually serve her patients as a bilingual doctor.
Watkins has always known she wanted to work in the medical field, but it wasn’t until she shadowed a doctor that she heard her calling.
A Spanish-speaking family entered the doctor’s office with concern, particularly because no medical personnel spoke Spanish or could translate. By the time the family left, they were at ease, thanks in part to Watkins.
“I was unable to translate medical terms to the patient and her family, but I was able to say basic things and carry simple conversations,” Watkins explained. “While this was more than anyone else in the office could do for them, I still felt that I had let them down.”
She continued, “After that, I knew that if I wanted to go into the medical field I had to know how to speak Spanish. I want my future patients to feel comfortable and know that I can communicate effectively with them.”
Watkins was a member of the National Honor Society, served on student council, participated in choir and even won first place in a science fair in high school. She played volleyball, basketball and volunteered at various organizations including a nursing home in Gower, Missouri and the Food Bank in Saint Joseph, Missouri.
Her father is Jayson Watkins.
Monsignor Leon McNeill Scholarship recipients
The Monsignor Leon McNeill Scholarship, named for the first president of the university, awards students $20,000 per year for four years. The scholarship requires that recipients have at least a 3.9 cumulative high school GPA. Recipients must complete 32 hours of community service each semester.
The 2023 Monsignor Leon McNeill Scholarship winners are the following:
- Christopher Allen, a homeschool senior of Wichita, plans to major in management.
- Makenzie Amphone of Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School in Wichita, plans to major in biology with a concentration in biomedical research.
- Lydia Andreo from Goddard, Kansas, attended Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Wichita and plans to be a nursing major.
- Sydney Andres of Wichita attended Eisenhower High School in Goddard. She intends to major in biology with a pre-medicine concentration.
- Ashton Bennert from Randall High School in Amarillo, Texas, intends to be a management major.
- Marc Bergman attended Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Wichita and is exploring majors at Newman.
- Rihanna Blanchard, from O’Fallon, Missouri, attended Fort Zumwalt North High School and plans to explore majors at Newman.
- Grace Burney, who attended Arkansas Virtual Academy in Winslow, Arkansas, intends to be a communication major.
- Parker Carothers of Edmond, Oklahoma, went to Edmond Memorial High School. He plans to explore majors at Newman.
- Joseph Davis of Wichita attended Andover High School. He plans to major in biology with a pre-medicine concentration.
- Victor Dixon of Wichita High School North intends to major in biomedical science.
- Emari Doby, from Topeka, Kansas, attended Shawnee Heights Senior High School and hopes to major in healthcare science with an emphasis in business.
- Taryn Edwards of Goddard Senior High School intends to be a radiologic technology major at Newman.
- Mason Fair of Oklahoma City attended the Classen School of Advanced Studies and plans to major in sports media and promotion with an emphasis in entertainment and promotion.
- Josie Fejfar, from Burlington, Kansas, went to Burlington High School. She plans to earn her degree in biology with a pre-medicine concentration.
- Jaidynn Fields attended Wichita High School Northwest and plans to major in psychology at Newman.
- Matthew Fowler of Wichita High School East intends to major in biology with a concentration in pre-medicine.
- Chloe Hall of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, attended Broken Arrow High School. At Newman, she will pursue a degree in nursing.
- Delanie Hall attended Andover High School and intends to major in nursing.
- Andrew Hartegan, from Olathe, Kansas, went to high school at Saint James Academy. He plans to explore majors at Newman.
- Sydney Henning attended Derby High School and intends to be a biomedical science major.
- Parker Hurla of Eudora, Kansas, attended Eudora High School. Hurla plans to explore majors at Newman.
- Elias Iseman of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School will explore majors at Newman.
- Edward Johnson attended Andover High School and intends to major in chemistry with a focus in industrial chemistry.
- Jose Juarez of Norman, Oklahoma, attended Cristo Rey OKC and plans to major in finance.
- Tryphena Kayode of Eisenhower High School in Goddard intends to be a biology major with a pre-dentistry track.
- Tryphosa Kayode attended Eisenhower High School in Goddard and plans to major in biology with a concentration in pre-medicine.
- Hunter Lough of Wellington, Kansas, attended Wellington High School, and intends to major in biomedical science.
- Danielle Lyle attended Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Wichita and plans to explore majors at Newman.
- Mariam Medina is a homeschool senior from Lewisville, Texas, who intends on majoring in marketing.
- Joscelyn Monarrez-Cruz of Garden City Senior High School plans to major in biology with a pre-medicine concentration.
- Magdalyn Pennycuff, from Augusta, Kansas, attended Augusta Senior High School. She intends to explore majors at Newman.
- Aspen Peterson of Augusta, Kansas, went to Augusta High School and plans to major in biology with a pre-medicine concentration.
- Haylea Proctor attended Sequoyah High School in Owasso, Oklahoma. Proctor plans to explore majors at Newman.
- Gianna Rhein went to Kolbe Academy and intends on exploring majors at Newman.
- Sophia Richardson of Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School plans to major in biology with a pre-medicine concentration.
- Mary Sicard of Milwaukie, Oregon, went to high school at Summit Learning Charter. At Newman, she intends to be a biochemistry major.
- Madison Stafford of Haughton, Louisiana, attended Airline High School. She plans to earn her degree in biology with a pre-occupational therapy track.
- Rosy Us Castro, from Elkhart, Kansas, attended Elkhart High School. She intends on majoring in psychology.
- Elizabeth Williams of Lenexa, Kansas, went to Shawnee Mission West High School and plans to major in elementary education.
- Katelyn Wilson attended Udall High School in Udall, Kansas, and intends to be a radiologic technology major.
ASC Service Award recipients
The ASC Service Award scholarship is named for and sponsored by the founders of Newman University, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) sisters. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA to apply. ASC Service Award recipients must complete 45 hours of community service per semester and participate in one semester-long service/leadership class per year.
The 2023 ASC Service Award scholarship winners are the following:
- Fatima Arce, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Melissa Arguijo, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Kaven Bartlett, Louisburg High School
- Aisha Bautista Pablo, Wichita High School West
- Carli Carlson, Clearwater High School
- Annette Castillo-Lopez, Derby High School
- Melissa Chavez, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Zoe Dawdy, Wellington High School
- Christian Dean, The Independent School
- Sydney Endicott, Maize South High School
- Diana Farrar, Liberal High School
- Cooper Feke, Craig Kielburger Secondary School
- Sophia Flores-Lerma, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Bryson Frick, Augustine Christian Academy
- Preston Gietzen, Maize High School
- Ariana Ibarra, Goddard Senior High School
- Bryce Kegley, Pryor High School
- Iliana Larin, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Wesley Leonard, Wellington High School
- Grace Long, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Anistyn Maldonado, Maize South High School
- Micaiah Mann, Andover High School
- Alondra Mendez, Lakin High School
- Jaedynn Miller, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Deqlan Mitchell, East Wake High School
- Tiara Neymour, Life Preparatory Academy
- Gabe Nunez, Salina High School South
- Areli Quezada, Wichita High School West
- Valeria Rodriguez, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Elian Sanchez, Andover Central High School
- Alondra Sifuentes, Wichita High School West
- Amber Simon, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Andrew Springob, Andale High School
- Emma Taylor, Valley Center High School
- Ashton Thimesch, Kingman High School
- Tobi Tumbleson, Wichita High School Heights
- Miles Vallejo, Crescenta Valley High School
- Caroline Weible, Maize South High School
- Reagan Werth, Piedra Vista High School
Honors Grant recipients
The Honors Grant is given to students who apply for and gain acceptance into Newman University’s prestigious Honors Program. Applicants must have a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.75 to be considered. Honors Grant recipients must complete required Honors curriculum and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.
The 2023 Honors Grant scholarship winners are the following:
- Christopher Allen, Homeschool
- Makenzie Amphone, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Sydney Andres, Eisenhower High School
- Aisha Bautista Pablo, Wichita High School West
- Ashton Bennert, Randall High School
- Rihanna Blanchard, Fort Zumwalt North High School
- Alayna Bohaty, Derby High School
- April Burnett, Mulvane High School
- Grace Burney, Arkansas Virtual Academy
- Carli Carlson, Clearwater High School
- Parker Carothers, Edmond Memorial High School
- Joe Davis, Andover High School
- Christian Dean, The Independent School
- Victor Dixon, Wichita High School North
- Taryn Edwards, Goddard High School
- Mason Fair, Classen School of Advanced Studies
- Diana Farrar, Liberal High School
- Josie Fejfar, Burlington High School
- Jaidynn Fields, Wichita Northwest High School
- Matt Fowler, Wichita High School East
- Mia Grube, Wichita High School South
- Chloe Hall, Broken Arrow High School
- Andrew Hartegan, Saint James Academy
- Elias Iseman, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Tryphena Kayode, Eisenhower High School
- Tryphosa Kayode, Eisenhower High School
- Wesley Leonard, Wellington High School
- Anna Lobmeyer, Garden City Senior High School
- Grace Long, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Hunter Lough, Wellington High School
- Danielle Lyle, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Sabrina Martinez, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Maxwell Masem, Newton High School
- Mariam Medina, Homeschool
- Joscelyn Monarrez-Cruz, Garden City Senior High School
- Tiara Neymour, Life Preparatory Academy
- Grecia Nunez-Palomares, Wichita High School North
- Noel Pankratz, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Magdalyn Pennycuff, Augusta Senior High School
- Haylea Proctor, Sequoyah High School
- Aiden Rea, Washburn Rural High School
- Gianna Rhein, Kolbe Academy
- Sophia Richardson, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Valeria Rodriguez, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Keira Ronsick, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Mary Sicard, Summit Learning Charter
- Alondra Sifuentes, Wichita High School West
- Amber Simon, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Madison Stafford, Airline High School
- Emma Taylor, Valley Center High School
- Ashton Thimesch, Kingman High School
- Rosy Us Castro, Elkhart High School
- Maya Watkins, East Buchanan High School
Apply for Newman University scholarships
We are a Catholic university named for St. John Henry Newman and founded by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ for the purpose of empowering graduates to transform society.
