Starting the college journey at Newman University can be challenging for many first-year students. During move-in day on Aug. 18, several students said “thank you” to those who helped them reach this milestone.
Rihanna Blanchard
Blanchard, a basketball player from St. Louis, was quick to give her parents praise.
“You guys mean so much to me and you say how proud you are of me, but I’m proud of you for all the work you’ve done for me. I know I can be an annoying teenager sometimes but I love you with everything in me and would do anything for you both,” Blanchard said.
Blanchard chose to come to Newman because she liked the atmosphere that more prominent colleges couldn’t compete with.
“It was very homey. I liked that it was smaller than a lot of bigger campuses. It was always nice to think I was going to go to this huge campus but then when I came here this was more comfortable than I thought,” said Blanchard.
Quinn Toomey
Toomey, a golf player from Surprise, Arizona, is excited to study business management information systems (MIS). He plans to become an IT guy who’s good with customers and computers.
“My dad has been my biggest supporter. He’s encouraged me no matter what sport I went into. It’s really nice that I have such an encouraging family. They have raised me to play golf, hockey and baseball. I really love them for getting me into sports. I really appreciate all my dad’s encouragement even through the hard times. I love you, Dad,” said Toomey.
Toomey started playing golf in his freshman year of high school while living in Chicago. He played hockey and baseball before and said those two sports helped him with his golf swing as all three sports focus on wrist movement.
“Golf has played a large role in making me patient and teaching me a great game I can play for life. I found Newman through a recruiting software while looking for golf schools. I liked the coach and the program so I figured I would send him an email,” Toomey said.
Gianna Rhein
Rhein, one of 13 siblings, plans to study diagnostic medical sonography. She was led to this field when a family friend introduced her to sonography.
“My older brother and I are super close and he’s definitely helped me become the person I am today. He helped me get through the last semester of high school with the stress of (applying for) scholarships. So thank you for everything,” said Rhein.
Rhein likes to run, read and do “anything arts and crafts related.” A bucket list item for her would be to see the Northern Lights.
Anna Lobmeyer
Lobmeyer, one of five St. Newman Scholarship winners, is very grateful Newman is close to home. For Lobmeyer, her whole family had an impact on getting her to where she is today.
“They are the best to come home to and they allow me to take myself less seriously. They allow me to see a less important and more wholesome side to the things that I do. I love you and you should call me,” said Lobmeyer.
She plans to major in secondary education with a focus on history and a minor in theology.
“Being from Garden City, Kansas, three hours isn’t close to some people but it’s close for being Garden City. My mom told me she was having another baby, which she had in May, so being close was a priority. I fell in love with the cross-country team and coach and the campus really felt like home,” Lobmeyer said.
My older brother and I are super close and he’s definitely helped me become the person I am today.
Gianna Rhein
Bryce Kegley
Kegley, a wrestler from Pryor, Oklahoma, is majoring in nursing. He plans to further his education through Newman, eventually getting a degree in anesthesia and becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
Kegley says his biggest supporters, outside of his parents, would be his coaches from Team Oklahoma, Johnny and Tony Cook.
“I appreciate them very much. They have no clue how just having someone to mentor me has helped outside of wrestling and it’s gotten me to where I am today,” said Kegley.
He is the recipient of an athletic scholarship and the ASC Service Award. This scholarship requires the student to complete community service and take one service or leadership class per year.
“I don’t think you can really go through life if you’re not serving people along the way. I know that specifically at my high school and growing up I’ve always been a part of any youth programs or in the elementary schools helping out. Even something as simple as coaching the younger kids or just being a mentor to them, service is a big reason why I’m here,” said Kegley.
Having someone to mentor me has helped outside of wrestling and it’s gotten me to where I am today.
Bryce Kegley
Jaeden McMillin
McMillin, a Newman basketball player from College Station, Texas, is most excited for freedom and a fresh chapter as she moves away from home. She thanks her parents for their help along the way.
“They have always given me the opportunities I need and everything I need to be where I am today. So, thank you. I couldn’t be here today without you. You’ve always been my biggest supporters,” McMillin said.
McMillin plans to study biology in hopes of becoming a physical therapist.
“I’ve been to physical therapy for injuries and I’ve always just thought it was really cool how they help athletes just get back on their feet and continue to play the sport they love. I want to do that for other athletes,” said McMillin.
Braden McNeill
McNeill, a baseball player from Overland Park, Kansas, met Coach Drew Maus at a baseball showcase. McNeill plans to study business management with a dream job of playing in the Major League.
My mom is the person who has gotten me where I am today because she is the most motivational person in my family. Thank you for everything.
Braden McNeill
“Baseball’s made me the person I am today, being a leader and meeting new friends. When I came to visit Newman, everyone was so nice and I knew a sophomore at the time, Gavin Wakefield, and he showed me around and allowed me to meet new people so it just felt like home,” said McNeill.
Malie Noda
Noda, a softball player from Southern California, heard about Newman through her travel softball coach. Noda plans to study biology pre-med in the hopes of becoming an anesthesiologist.
“Just thank you for your countless hours in the backyard and on the field away from my softball team and just mentally preparing me for life,” Noda said to her dad, her biggest supporter.
“When I did the virtual tour that made me want to come here because the campus looked pretty and the coach was super nice,” said Noda.
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