Each year Newman University students, faculty, staff and alumni celebrate the university’s founders and Catholic traditions during Heritage Month.
Newman will host a series of exciting events Feb. 1 through March 4, 2025, that celebrate the university’s founders the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC), as well as its namesake St. John Henry Newman.
From student contests and scavenger hunts to guest speakers and Mass celebrations, there are a variety of ways to commemorate Newman University’s Catholic heritage and school spirit.
Browse the full schedule of Heritage Month events below.
Week 1 (Feb. 1-9)
Heritage Month Student Contest Opens (Saturday, Feb. 1)
Students can submit their essay, graphic art or TikTok responses to the question: “How do you/Newman students live or think of St. Maria De Mattias’ advice, ‘Let your guiding impulse be love?'”
Students can submit their entries to [email protected] beginning Feb. 1.
Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony (Saturday, Feb. 1)
Join us for our Newman Jets Hall of Fame Banquet where we will honor individuals and teams for their contribution to Newman Athletics. A cocktail hour will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the ceremony at 6 p.m. in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center. Purchase tickets here.
Medallion Scavenger Hunt (Monday, Feb. 3- Friday, Feb. 7)
Students, look out for clues on the Heritage Month webpage (clues publish each day at 8am) in the Jet Broadcast or Newman social media and search the campus for the Newman Medallion. The first person to turn it in to Sister Therese Wetta (first floor, Sacred Heart Hall) wins a prize.
Birthday of St. Maria De Mattias (Wednesday, Feb. 5)
- 12 p.m. Mass in honor of St. Maria De Mattias, St. John Chapel
- 5:30 – 7 p.m. Celebration of Feast of St. Maria De Mattias – Italian Dinner, Mabee Dining Center
Week 2 – Homecoming week (Feb. 10-14)
Monday, Feb. 10 – 1-2:30 p.m.
Enjoy free crepes with strawberries and chocolate, courtesy of Student Life in the Student Activities Center in Dugan.
Tuesday, Feb. 11 – 1-2:30 p.m.
Join us for a Homecoming Court meet and greet with Boba from Leaf Teahouse, sponsored by Student Life in the Student Activities Center in Dugan.
Wednesday, Feb. 12
Enjoy free cupcakes from 1-2:30 p.m. courtesy of Student Life in the Student Activities Center in Dugan.
Wednesday, Feb. 12 – Homecoming in Fugate Gym
- 5:30 p.m. Women’s basketball vs Nebraska Kearney
- 7:30 p.m. Men’s basketball vs Nebraska Kearney
- The crowning of homecoming king and queen will be at the halftime of the men’s game
Thursday, Feb. 13
Join us for Nostalgia Day with the Student Government Association! Enjoy free treats from your childhood, sponsored by Student Life & SGA.
Friday, Feb. 14
Join us for a Jet Friday donut and meet the newly crowned homecoming king and queen from 8:30-10 a.m. in the Student Activities Center. Residence Life sponsors this event.
Friday, Feb. 14
Enjoy fellowship and fun during the Valentine’s-themed Homecoming Mixer from 8-10 p.m. in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center.
This Student Life event features free food, drinks, a DJ, photo booth and chocolate fountain.
Week 3 (Feb. 17-23)
Heritage Month contest closes (Tuesday, Feb. 18)
High Tea (Thursday, Feb. 20)
Enjoy tea and delicious special foods of St. Newman’s time in an elegant setting in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Room of Dugan Library from 2 – 6:30 p.m.
Birthday of St. John Henry Newman (Friday, Feb. 21)
- 12 p.m. Mass in honor of St. Newman in St. John’s Chapel
Presentation by Wyatt Olivas (Sunday, Feb. 23)
Join us for a 7 p.m. presentation with Wyatt Olivas, U.S. college student participant in the Synod on Synodality with Pope Francis.
Week 4 (Feb. 24-March 2)
Mission Luncheon with Wyatt Olivias (Monday, Feb. 24)
Join us for a noon luncheon and 7 p.m. presentation by Wyatt Olivias, U.S. college student participant in the Synod on Synodality with Pope Francis.
Spaghetti Dinner at The Landing (Tuesday, Feb. 25)
The ASC Sisters at The Landing invite students to a special Heritage Month Spaghetti Night at 5:15 p.m.
Giving Day (Wednesday, Feb. 26)
Our 6th Annual Giving Day is all about the entire Newman University community coming together for a day of radical generosity. The day will be filled with games, prizes, community events, and celebrations, all in support of raising money for our current students.
Board of Trustees Meeting (Friday, Feb. 28)
Student contest winners present projects to the Board of Trustees members.
Trivia Night Contest – Pop Culture Pandemonium (Friday, Feb. 28)
Newman University’s Student Life team will be presents its 3rd Annual Trivia Night starting at 7 p.m. as part of the annual Giving Day! Maximum of 6 people per team, and categories range from music, movies, television and other forms of entertainment.
Student Spiritual Day of Quiet Reflection (Saturday, March 1)
This retreat will take place at the ASC Center.
Final week (March 3-9)
Heritage Month Closing – ASC Foundation Day (Tuesday, March 4)
Join us for noon Mass in St. John’s Chapel followed by a social.
Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, March 5)
Mass will be offered at noon in St. John’s Chapel.
Check out the Heritage Month webpage for the latest information and schedule of events.
Explore Newman University’s history
The origins of Newman University can be traced to the village of Acuto, Italy, where in 1834 a young woman named Maria De Mattias founded the order of religious women, which would become the university’s sponsoring religious congregation, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC)…
