Smiles, hugs and the shuffle of moving boxes filled Carrocci Residence Hall on Aug. 15 as Newman University welcomed the class of 2029 to campus.
Several Newman athletes, Residence Life team members and Newman staff volunteered to unload vehicles, loft bunk beds and help the newest class feel at home.
This semester, Carrocci Hall, which houses first-year and transfer students, has 129 residents, Beata Hall has 60 residents, Fugate Hall has 75 and the Wichita Adorers of the Sisters of Christ Center is housing five Newman students.
For first-year students and transfers, many of whom were born in 2007 and 2008, the day was more than a move. It marked a transition from their pasts to the start of their futures.
The University Relations team asked students and their parents to reflect on childhood favorites while also sharing their hopes and dreams about the years to come at Newman. Read on to discover what four students and their families had to share.
The Underwood family
The Underwood family hails from Mansfield, Texas, and jumped at the opportunity to support their daughter, Kyndal, during move-in day. As a basketball athlete and business management major, Kyndal’s biggest goal is to step beyond her comfort zone while at Newman.
“I love the Newman community, everything about it,” Kyndal said. “I had a whole jewelry business and photography business, so I could see myself doing all different things.”
She is excited to push herself entrepreneurially as a student, meet new people and enjoy the next four years at Newman.
“We are proud of Kyndal for so much,” Tonika, Kyndal’s mother, said. “But most recently, we’re proud of her for overcoming her ACL injury in basketball. She pushed through, and now we get to see her play DII basketball. My biggest hopes for her are to excel academically and on the court. I know she’ll become an even more well-rounded person and have a moral compass that’s on point.”
Kyndal Underwood (student)
Q: Favorite TV show/ book series growing up?
A: “SpongeBob.”
Q: Name a movie you watched over and over again.
A: “Home.”
Q: Who is a musical artist/ band you listened to on repeat?
A: Eric Bellinger.
Q: What’s one Halloween costume you dressed as?
A: A jaguar.
Q: An activity you loved to do as a kid?
A: Play with my dog.
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I was born three days after Christmas.
Tonika Underwood (mother)
Q: Favorite TV show/ book series growing up?
A: “The Cosby Show.”
Q: Name a movie you watched over and over again.
A: “The Matrix.”
Q: Who is a musical artist/ band you listened to on repeat?
A: Alicia Keys.
Q: What’s one Halloween costume you dressed as?
A: A butterfly.
Q: An activity you loved to do as a kid?
A: Play red light, green light.
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I was a cheerleader all four years of high school.
The Walbaum family
Danielle Walbaum of Brighton, Colorado, said receiving a bowling scholarship to Newman was the biggest factor in her decision to attend college at all. A criminal justice major, she’s excited to forge a new path to her future.
“I’d love to be an investigator, start as a cop and move up in the ranks,” Danielle said. “My biggest goal for this year is to do well and just have fun.”
Linda describes Danielle, her only child, as “an incredible human.”
“She’s got this big, beautiful heart. She’ll help anybody,” she said. “We do everything together — we bowl, she and her dad race cars — so the hard part is going to be me letting go. I just want her to spread her wings and find out who she is because her potential is just off the charts.”
Danielle Walbaum (student)
Linda Walbaum (mother)
Q: Favorite TV show/ book series growing up?
A: “Cops.”
Q: Name a movie you watched over and over again.
A: “Madagascar.”
Q: Who is a musical artist/ band you listened to on repeat?
A: Morgan Wallen.
Q: An activity you loved to do as a kid?
A: Bowling.
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I used to race cars.
Q: Favorite TV show/ book series growing up?
A: “M*A*S*H.”
Q: Name a movie you watched over and over again.
A: “Dirty Dancing.”
Q: Who is a musical artist/ band you listened to on repeat?
A: George Strait or Carrie Underwood.
Q: An activity you loved to do as a kid?
A: Bowling.
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I played the violin all the way through high school.
The Guzman family
Catalina Guzman, mother of first-year student Ana, shared that her daughter came to a crossroads at the end of high school.
“She was in art class for a long time, and she actually got a Gold Key Award from Fort Hays for doing a Medusa,” Catalina said. “She wanted to be a doctor when she was little, but now she wasn’t sure; she was lost. I told her, ‘Just ask God what you want and put it in his hands.’ She figured it out, and I’m really proud of her.”
Ana has ultimately decided to major in respiratory care at Newman University — a choice that stems from her lifelong desire to help people.
“When I was little, I always played doctor, so I think the idea just spawned from there,” said the Hugoton, Kansas, native. “I just want to make the world a better place, and I think I can start that here.”
Catalina’s biggest hope for her daughter is that she “opens up,” she said.
“She’s a really sweet girl, she’s got this beautiful smile and she’s always sharing it with others,” Catalina said. “I hope that while she’s here, she opens up and discovers who she is.”
Ana Guzman (student)
Q: Favorite TV show/ book series growing up?
A: “Dora the Explorer.”
Q: Name a movie you watched over and over again.
A: “Princess and the Frog.”
Q: Who is a musical artist/ band you listened to on repeat?
A: Taylor Swift.
Q: What’s a video game you loved to play?
A: Probably “Call of Duty.”
Q: What’s one Halloween costume you dressed up in?
A: Elsa from “Frozen.”
Q: An activity you loved to do as a kid?
A: Playing outside.
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I have double-jointed elbows.
Catalina Guzman (mother)
Q: Favorite TV show/ book series growing up?
A: I loved “The Wonder Years” show and my favorite book was “Danny and the Dinosaur.”
Q: Name a movie you watched over and over again.
A: There’s nothing better than “Grease” or “Dirty Dancing.”
Q: Who is a musical artist/ band you listened to on repeat?
A: A Spanish group called Banda MS. But whenever I’m really mad, I listen to Metallica.
Q: What’s a video game you loved to play?
A: We grew up with Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt.
Q: What’s one Halloween costume you dressed up in?
A: I actually faced my fears and dressed up as a clown one year.
Q: An activity you loved to do as a kid?
A: Sneaking out of the house, riding our bikes, roller skating, hide-and-seek and kickball.
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I really like to cook.
The Holland family
Colton Holland faced many challenges from his freshman to senior years of high school in Lubbock, Texas. But through it all, he placed God at the center of his life.
“At the time, it was hard, but I just chose to trust in his plan and be myself, and everything worked out in the end,” he said. “I’m very glad to be here at Newman. By the time I graduate, I just want to be a better person overall. I already feel at home, and I think the next four years are going to be really fun here.”
As an education major and baseball athlete at Newman, Colton’s future career goal is to be a coach.
Adam and Chastity fully support their son’s dream, describing him as “a great teammate with a strong faith,” Adam said.
“I’m most proud of Colton for his heart, his desire, his fight and willingness to never give up,” Chastity said. “Colton has fought since he was in the womb, literally, and he continues to do so in his faith. He trusts the process, trusts in the Lord and he’s determined.”
Chastity believes and hopes in Colton’s ability to be a positive role model to other students on campus.
“I hope he’ll show others that no matter what the obstacles are, as long as you continue to work hard and trust in God, all things are possible,” she said.
Colton (student)
Q: Favorite TV show/ book series growing up?
A: “Stranger Things.”
Q: Name a movie you watched over and over again.
A: “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.”
Q: Who is a musical artist/ band you listened to on repeat?
A: Bruno Mars.
Q: What’s a video game you played growing up?
A: A lot of Madden and Fortnite.
Q: Name a Halloween costume you dressed up as?
A: Whenever “Man of Steel” came out, I had a costume with fake muscles. I also had a Black Panther costume I loved.
Q: An activity you loved to do as a kid?
A: Singing.
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I’m actually a pretty good singer.
Chastity (mother)
Q: Favorite TV show/ book series growing up?
A: “The Cosby Show.”
Q: Name a movie you watched over and over again.
A: Anything with Patrick Swayze, like “Ghost.”
Q: Who is a musical artist/ band you listened to on repeat?
A: I have several, but Whitney Houston would have to be the top.
Q: Name a Halloween costume you dressed up as?
A: I was half peanut butter, half jelly.
Q: An activity you loved to do as a kid?
A: Basketball.
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I love to whistle and sing, and so does Colton. He’ll probably be singing a lot throughout the building.
Adam (father)
Q: Favorite TV show/ book series growing up?
A: “The Andy Griffith Show.”
Q: Name a movie you watched over and over again.
A: “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.”
Q: Who is a musical artist/ band you listened to on repeat?
A: Boyz II Men.
Q: What’s a video game you played growing up?
A: Football, always. Madden.
Q: Name a Halloween costume you dressed up as?
A: Dracula.
Q: An activity you loved to do as a kid?
A: Baseball.
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I like to read books.
Photos from move-in day
Flip through or download photos from the Newman University Flickr gallery from move-in day.
Questions about residence life?
View each of Newman University’s residence halls, find a move-in guide, important dates and more.
