Several Newman University students were recognized for their exceptional academics and leadership during the annual Academic Awards Convocation April 10.
“Students are sprinting toward several finish lines — completing term papers, passing final exams, planning for graduation, selecting graduate schools, seeking new jobs and even organizing weddings,” President Kathleen Jagger said. “It is time we reflect on and honor students for a joyous year of academic achievements.”
Melanie Flanagan, senior administrative assistant and head of the Academic Awards Convocation committee, said it is an honor to recognize students at the ceremony.
“These are students who excel, not only at Newman but also in the community,” Flanagan said. “They have already demonstrated that they can transform society for the better, and we are happy to award the students alongside their faculty and family members.”
Students were awarded for their academic merits by academic school. Additionally, the St. Catherine’s Medal, one of the most prestigious undergraduate student awards at Newman, was announced.
Jump to:
- School of Arts and Sciences
- School of Business & Technology
- School of Education and Social Work
- School of Healthcare Professions
- School of Catholic Studies
- Awarding of the St. Catherine’s Medal
- Honors societies and Ablah Award nominees
- Special thanks
School of Arts and Sciences awards
- Burbage Award – John Suffield
- Creative Initiative Award – Alexis Stallard
- Fine Arts Achievement Award – Catherine Madison
- Freshman History Prize – Anna Lobmeyer
- Humanities Achievement Award – Hadassah Umbarger
- Joyce Suellentrop Prize for Distinguished Scholarship in History – Cameron Schroder
- Sister JoAnn Mark Outstanding Math Student Award – Margaret (Maggie) Koenig
- Outstanding Senior Chemistry Student Award – Joshua Dessenberger
- Sister Margaret Knoeber Undergraduate Chemistry Award – Lily Hilgenfeld
- Sister Claudine Axman Award – Ariana Sweitzer
- Steve Palubicki Award – Kayla Kindsvater
- Surendra P. Singh Outstanding Freshman in Biology Award – Maxwell Masem
- Recipients of the Global Seal of Biliteracy – Angelica Rodriguez and Tony Ureno
School of Business & Technology awards
- Outstanding Business Data Analytics Student Award – Kenny Huie
- Outstanding Accounting Student Award – Silas Limes
- Outstanding Bachelor of Business Administration Student Award – Nathan Huie
- Outstanding MBA Student Award – Christian “Alex” DeHoet
- Data Science Graduate Student – Allen Roots
- Outstanding Nontraditional Student Award – Sam Roy
- Robbi and Larry Heck Outstanding Social Science Student Award – Alexandria Carter
School of Education and Social Work awards
- Outstanding Intern Award: Wichita – Austin Fullerton
- Outstanding Intern Award: Outreach – Casey Long
- Sister Susan Reeves Award – Yesenia Lopez
- Sister Sylvana Schulte Award – Edith Hernandez
- Sister Vivian Miller Elementary Award – Brylee Prockish
- Excellence in Mastery of Social Work – Maggie Papalia
- Excellence in Mastery of Social Work – Bo Hui Kang
School of Healthcare Professions awards
- Distinguished BSN Graduate Award – Chandler Dopps
- Radiology Technology Janie Ward Clinical Excellence Award: Ascension Via Christi St. Francis – Aley Gordon
- Radiology Technology Janie Ward Clinical Excellence Award: Wesley Medical Center – Leif Howard
- Radiology Technology Janie Ward Clinical Excellence Award: Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph – Leyni Gomez
School of Catholic Studies awards
- Bishop Gerber Graduate Award for Excellence in Catholic Scholarship – Samuel Schmidt
- Bishop Gerber Graduate Award for Excellence in Catholic Scholarship – Kelly Belton
Awarding of the St. Catherine’s Medal
Thomas Munn was awarded the 2024 St. Catherine’s Medal, which recognizes the exceptional contributions of a student to the university and the larger community.
Munn’s nominator described him as “a wonderful example of compassionate leadership and unselfish service.”
As a residence assistant for Carrocci Hall, Munn actively engages with the students and “makes them feel important and at home even in the busy school environment,” according to the words of his nominator.
His nomination also referenced an instance when he explained the significance of the season of Lent to five baseball players in the dining hall who were unfamiliar with the Catholic tradition.
“His eagerness to help anyone in need — faculty, staff or fellow students — shows how genuinely committed he is to making the world around him a better place,” Munn’s nominator wrote. “Anyone who takes time to speak with this incredible young man would understand that he puts his heart into everything he does and everyone he talks to. He embodies the spirit of generosity and support that makes Newman University a welcoming atmosphere for everyone, with an empathic heart and a proactive way of life.”
Thomas is genuinely committed to making the world around him a better place.
Anonymous nominator of Thomas Munn, St. Catherine’s Medal winner
Munn, a junior-standing student and accounting major, said he wouldn’t be where he is without his Catholic faith.
“It’s the biggest role in everything I do,” he said. “I would never have expected to win an award just for doing what I do in my everyday life, but to be acknowledged for it is a great honor. I’m so thankful for that.”
He credits his parents, teachers and numerous people in the religious life who have helped him make it to this milestone.
“Father Adam (Grelinger), Emily Simon in the Campus Ministry office, Sister Therese Wetta and Father Jason Borkenhagen have all played a big role in my journey at Newman,” Munn said.
Ablah Award nominees
The 2024 Ablah Award nominees were also acknowledged, and the male and female winners will be announced at the Newman University Commencement ceremony May 10. The 2024 female nominees are Marie Brunet, Ashley Dinh, Elise Helfrich, Sister Mary Jane Frances Jackle, Kayla Kindsvater, Catherine Madison, Olivia Parsley, Alexis Stallard and Hadassah Umbarger. The male nominees are Henry Cheatum, Joshua Dessenberger, Austin Fullerton, Nathan Huie, Asher Khokhar, Sam Roy and Antonio Ureno.
Newman University would like to recognize the hard work of the Academic Awards Convocation committee for coordinating the event: Flanagan, Candace Davis, Jill Fort, Sister Therese Wetta, ASC, Emily Simon, Abbi Timmermeyer, Clark Schafer and Anna Waggoner.
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