Newman University has a new graduate assistant for its men and women’s golf teams, but it’s not a new face in town.
With a personal goal of being “supporting, encouraging, and there for people when needed,” former Newman golfer Bethany Griffiths will continue her stay in the 316 — working towards her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in leadership.
Turn back time
Griffiths’ hometown of Halewood, near Liverpool, England, is a long way from Wichita, but it didn’t stop her from pursuing the dream of collegiate golf four years ago.
Griffiths first stepped foot onto campus at Newman University in August 2021, with aspirations of “an exciting new opportunity.”
Not many could have imagined what the next four years had in store.
Griffiths took the leap and went “all in,” a phrase famously used by head golf coach Lon Flippo.
Griffiths graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, earning the honor of magna cum laude, which is a distinction of academic excellence for the top 10-15% of the class.
When asked to reflect on the past four years at Newman, she said that there were a lot of challenges.
“It’s been a big challenge to grow personally — in my faith and my spiritual life, especially. I’m not Catholic and obviously Newman is a Catholic place, but growing in my own faith and seeing different perspectives has been a big area of growth in my life that I am really grateful for,” Griffiths said.
Newman University is inextricably intertwined with the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, a Catholic religious community that founded and sponsors the university. However, Newman welcomes people from all backgrounds. In fact, more than half the students attending don’t follow the Catholic religion. Only 40% of all students at Newman are Catholic and come from all over the world to thrive at Newman, just like Griffiths.
Griffiths said, “I’ve worked about every campus job possible. I was an RA (resident assistant), and within athletics we do lots of volunteering, so we’ve been out in the community a lot, which has been really good.
“When something new comes up, you’ve got to learn how to tackle it yourself. But knowing that you’ve got that support to tackle those challenges creates an immense sense of gratefulness. I was lucky to have that here at Newman.”
Griffiths thanked many people across campus for their day-to-day work, which she described as “monumental”: Assistant Professor, Medieval Philosophy John Brungardt, Professor of History and Director of the Honors Program Kelly McFall, Newman Director of Food Services Kelli Griffin and Flippo.
Another exciting new opportunity
While her undergraduate career has come to an end, it doesn’t mean that opportunities for Griffiths at Newman have.
Griffiths will spend the 2025-2026 academic year in the MBA program and helping the golf team as a graduate assistant.
“The legacy continues,” she said with a smile.
The MBA program was something that “just made sense.” Griffiths explained that she viewed the working world as one that is “constantly evolving.” She wants to better equip herself for that and sees the MBA program at Newman as the perfect challenge. Griffiths is also aware of her calling.
“I want to help people and be of service because that’s what I’m called for as a follower of Christ — if that’s in business, teaching or wherever else, I want to show his love in my service.”
With that in mind, Griffiths’ duties as coach are fast-paced, with help and service at the forefront.
A combined 11 tournaments across just nine weeks lie ahead for men’s and women’s golf.
The women will travel as far as Warrensburg, Missouri, for the Midwest Classic on Oct. 13 and the men as far as Monkey Island, Oklahoma, for the MSSU Fall Invitational on Oct. 20.
Fortunately for both, travel is as local as Wichita, Kansas, Sand Creek Station, for Newman’s home tournament Sept. 29 and 30.
Griffiths added, “Come out and support your Jets at the end of September!”
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