Newman University and Butler Community College of El Dorado, Kan., have created an agreement that will offer a new dual-admissions program to students. This agreement will allow many Butler students with a 2.0 GPA or above to transfer to Newman and earn a $3,000 per year scholarship, which is renewable each academic year so long as the student meets all academic requirements. When combined with existing scholarship programs Newman offers transfer students, Butler students could receive one of the largest transfer student scholarship packages in the state of Kansas.
This strengthened partnership builds upon an articulation agreement Newman and Butler signed earlier this year. That agreement was designed to provide a smooth transition for Butler students wanting to further their education at Newman. The agreement allows Butler students who complete an associate of arts or associate of science degree to transfer to Newman University as juniors with all general education requirements met, with the exception of the six hours of philosophy and six hours of theology required of all Newman students.
The new agreement includes the established articulation policy, and specifies course-by-course equivalents between Newman and Butler for various academic programs. This means students will be able to enroll in Butler courses knowing that they will be accepted as equivalent courses when they transfer their credits to Newman. Students will also receive academic advising from both institutions as well as degree audits from Newman University while they are at Butler to keep them on track with their degree plan.
The new agreement also features a dual-admissions policy. When students are accepted at Butler, they may submit an application to Newman and an intent to enroll form. Upon graduation from Butler, they are admitted to Newman and can enroll in classes. Students who enroll under the dual-admission policy will also receive a $3,000 scholarship per year beginning when they transfer to Newman.
Newman already offers a $1,500 scholarship per year, renewable for a second year, to any student who completes an associate of arts or associate of science degree at a community college in Kansas and surrounding states. Transfer students are also eligible for other Newman scholarships. When combined, this creates what could be one of the largest transfer student scholarship packages in Kansas, allowing students to attend Newman for as little and in some cases less cost than a public institution.
“We are very happy to continue and expand upon our partnership with Butler Community College,” said Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. “Students who come from Butler are well-prepared and have a positive attitude toward learning. We want to help facilitate their transition to Newman and encourage them to complete their studies.”
“To say that we’re excited about this opportunity is an understatement,” said Butler President Jackie Vietti, Ph.D. “This agreement can help make the dream of earning a baccalaurete degree real for many Butler students. They can begin their education at Butler and have a roadmap to a seamless transition at Newman. This is a great opportunity for our students.”
The new agreement has the potential to affect a large number of Butler students. According to Newman officials, approximately 25 percent of Newman’s traditional-age transfer students for the fall 2010 semester are coming from Butler Community College.
Following brief comments from both institutions’ presidents and academic representatives, Carrocci and Vietti signed the agreement at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 12, in the Dugan Library and Campus Center at Newman University.
Members of the executive staff from both colleges were in attendance. In addition to Carrocci, Newman officials included Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Austin, Ph.D., and Dean of Admissions John Clayton, M.Ed. Officials from Butler Community College included President Vietti, and Interim Vice President for Academics and Dean of Butler Learning Community Centers Dr. Mike Calvert.
For more information, contact Newman Director of Communications Kelly Snedden at 316-942-4291, ext. 2164, or Director of Community and Campus Relations Cindy Miles, 316-320-7315, ext. 301.
