From Texas to Kansas: Baseball kept three friends together

Some friendships are diamond.

In the case of 2023 graduates Carson Hawks, Asher Finke and Anthony Ferrante, the diamond in their friendship is their love of baseball.

All transferred to Newman to finish up their collegiate careers after playing baseball together for two years at Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas.

“We were always close at Hill, but being here at Newman with each other made us closer because we relied on each other at the start when we didn’t really have other friends yet. Being on the team at Newman was awesome because I made new friends that I didn’t know before,” said Hawks.

Finke, a marketing major, plans to work for a logistics company in Dallas, giving himself a year to hopefully earn a free agent contract. He chose marketing for his degree because of Associate Professor of Marketing and Management Wendy Sahatjian.

“I knew I wanted to do something in business but I wasn’t 100% sure what. My mentor and advisor, Sahatjian and her program are incredible. I feel like she sets you up for what it’s gonna be like in the real world. The classroom is a lot different from any other class I’ve ever taken and it’s been a great experience,” said Finke.

Finke also expressed great appreciation for his two friends. “We’ve grown really close over the past four years. I knew I was going to miss a lot of guys at my junior college but being able to graduate with these two, it’s an awesome feeling,” said Finke.

Ferrante, a business management major, plans to go back to Texas and start a project manager position. Associate Professor Larry Straub was Ferrante’s advisor and his professor for many classes.

“Dr. Straub encourages students to come in and talk to him about anything. He often said he wanted to be a mentor in life, not just in school. Going in, asking questions and building relationships with your advisor is key to your success in college,” said Ferrante.

“Coming in here with two other guys that we played baseball with for two years, that we were with every single day, I think it really grew the bond between the team and us. I think that helped to build a culture that we want to have at Newman,” Ferrante said.

Hawks, who graduated with his degree in organizational leadership and a minor in sports medicine, plans to become a chiropractor. He is one of five 2023 Newman graduates in his family. His brother, dad and two cousins joined Hawks in walking across the stage at commencement.

Christy Hawks, Hawks’ mom, joined Newman as the director of admissions in 2021. She has been looking forward to this day for a year and is thoroughly proud of her family.

“We have been planning this party and this day for a year. And all I can say is, thank you, Lord. What a blessing this day has been,” said Hawks.