Newman University celebrated its 107th commencement ceremony with a graduating class of 337 students on Friday, May 10, at Hartman Arena in Wichita.
The arena rumbled with cheers as graduates ages 20 to 72 walked the stage and earned their associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees after years of hard work.
The McConnell Air Force Honor Guard presented the colors and proudly recognized veterans in attendance. The Newman chorale and troubadours also performed a spirited rendition of “I Gave It All” by Aquilo, directed by Music Director Deanne Zogleman and accompanied by pianist Carole Pracht – a fitting tribute to all that the graduating class has accomplished.
For many students of the class of 2024, this marked their first-ever, in-person graduation ceremony.
As a 2020 high school graduate, Yazmin Puentes-Probedo recalls having a drive-through ceremony at the height of the COVID pandemic.
“Today is special because it’s my first time graduating with a crowd and stage,” the elementary education graduate said. “It’s also special because I am a first-generation college student with two immigrant parents from Mexico who have sacrificed a lot for me to be here. They’ve been my biggest supporters and it means everything to have them here with me today.”
Master of Social Work graduate Alicia Camacho is a first-generation student — the first in her family even to graduate from high school. In the span of 10 months, she lost her grandmother, grandfather and father, but knew her loved ones were present with her in spirit as she walked across the stage.
“I’m trying so hard to fight back the tears,” Camacho said. “I never thought in my life that I would be where I’m at today, and I have to give all the glory and thanks to God. He has brought me out of so many challenges and brought me here to fully engage in what he wants me to do with my life. And that’s to serve and help others.”
Camacho is eager to complete her licensure exam and apply to several organizations that align with her personal mission.
“I’m just taking it day by day to reflect on the last three years, the last 41 years of my life and how far I’ve come,” Camacho said. “Newman has been such a blessing.”
A heartfelt commencement address
Father Tom Welk, recipient of the 2024 St. John Henry Newman Medal, presented the commencement address.
As an active member of the Newman community since 1970, Welk shared a unique perspective as a former chaplain of Newman, coach, instructor, Board of Trustees member and generous donor. He also helped establish Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and continues to lead a life of service every day.
“May the years you spent here serve you well as you continue your journey in life,” Welk said. “As you celebrate this graduation day, keep in mind that you are taking another step forward. You are the next one up to help others in their transformation.”
Welk asked graduates to stand and applaud the family members and supporters who helped them make it to today.
“As you go forward, my hope and prayer is that you will use what you learned here to make a difference in our world,” Welk concluded. “May the growth and transformation you achieved during your days at Newman serve you well in living fully your ‘one wild and precious life.’”
A season of celebrations and new opportunities
Even before commencement day, Newman graduates had many reasons to celebrate.
After Baccalaureate Mass May 9, graduate John Suffield proposed to his girlfriend, December 2023 graduate Hadassah Umbarger, at the front of the chapel. The two met on campus during a Campus Ministry retreat, and St. John’s Chapel was a frequent and favorite spot for the prayerful couple.
“I’ve actually had this plan for six months, and I knew I wanted to propose in the chapel,” Suffield said. “It just felt right.”
Other members of the class of 2024 have exciting new chapters lined up after they close the page on their Newman journeys.
Karem Gallo is a triple threat as a Realtor, owner of an art studio and commissioner on the Kansas Arts Commission in Liberal, Kansas. Between her various responsibilities, Gallo welcomed the chance to complete her interdisciplinary studies degree online with Newman.
“I had a phenomenal experience at Newman and I just got offered a position for the High Plains Heritage Foundation,” Gallo said. “So I’ll be able to merge all my disciplines together and make a difference in the community while I still sell real estate and create art.”
Seminarians Thomas Elliot and Colby McKee are excited to head to Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland following graduation. Now that they have completed their philosophy for theological studies degrees, their hearts are set on completing major seminary — an additional four years of theology preparation.
“The philosophy for theological studies program is so well designed to give a holistic understanding of truth, and it’s more than just knowing the material,” Elliot said. “It connects to other things so that my studies can impact my life, the way I pray and even my relationships. It also gives me access to people and allows me to build relationships in a way that I didn’t have before.”
This commencement is particularly sentimental for Newman President Kathleen S. Jagger, Ph.D., MPH, who started her role as university president during the 2020 pandemic.
“This is the most special graduation for me so far because I feel like I’m a senior with them,” Jagger said. “I’ve been with this class the whole way.”
Jagger added, “This day is exciting because it really is why we do what we do every single day. This is truly a celebration of everything that’s happened over the last two to four years for these students.”
Two from the class of 2024 receive Ablah Awards
Each year at commencement, one male and one female is recognized for the most prestigious undergraduate awards at Newman: the Ablah Awards.
These awards were established by Fran and Geri (Ablah) Jabara to honor the memory of Geri’s parents, Harvey J. and Leona J. Ablah, and to perpetuate their vision of entrepreneurism and the American dream. Both award recipients must graduate with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and each student receives a monetary award.
The winner of the Leona J. Ablah Award was Ashley Dinh.
Dinh majored in biology with a pre-concentration in pre-medicine at Newman University. As a recipient of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) Service Award Scholarship, she lived out the servant leadership she learned as president of Newman University’s Circle K International Club. She was also thoroughly involved on campus as a member of the Honors Program, Asian Student Association, Medical Professions Club, Multicultural Leadership Organization, Chemistry Club and Environmental Committee.
“Newman helped me thrive as a person and I’ll always be grateful for my time here,” Dinh said. “I think I was able to flourish because everyone is so welcoming and supportive.”
She was shocked in the best possible way to hear she was a 2024 Ablah Award winner.
“There were so many other great candidates so I was honestly so surprised,” she said. “Thank you so much to the committee for choosing me! I’ll be forever grateful for Newman and everything that they have done for me.”
Dinh plans to enjoy a “gap year” of travel, reconnecting with family and friends before she begins medical school at The University of Kansas School of Medicine.
The winner of the Harvey J. Ablah Award was Joshua Dessenberger.
Dessenberger earned a biochemistry degree and is thrilled to pursue his dream of becoming a physician by continuing his education at The University of Kansas School of Medicine in the fall. He is a St. Newman full-tuition scholarship recipient and graduate of the Honors Program. He was recognized during the Academic Awards Convocation and received the 2024 Outstanding Senior Chemistry Student Award.
As a student, Dessenberger served as president of the Newman University Medical Professions Club, president of the Newman University Chemistry Club and an at-large senator in the Student Government Association. He also served as a teaching assistant for the general chemistry lab, organic chemistry lab and the freshman honors seminar.
Dessenberger was humbled to hear his name called as the winner by Vice President of Academic Affairs Alden Stout. He sees his award as “a win for all of us.”
“I think we’ll all end up transforming society and there’s nothing too special about me,” he said. “It means a lot for me to be chosen out of my gifted peers. I feel like I’ve tried to make an impact, but I’m looking forward to the years to come and what I can do for the world.”
Dessenberger was brought to tears during Welk’s moving commencement address.
“I think Father Tom put it in perspective,” he said. “I lost my grandpa in March and we had him in hospice. So just hearing that and feeling that connection prior to the Ablah award being presented … it meant a lot to me.”
Graduates prepare for takeoff
President Jagger acknowledged the positive difference each Newman graduate can make in the ever-changing world before them.
“We expect that you will continue to learn and grow with confidence in a bright future, should you remain true to your values,” Jagger said. “You have the talent and preparation to bring light wherever you find yourself, and the fortitude and wisdom to balance faith and reason in a dynamic world.”
Countless cheers echoed as graduates moved their tassels from the right side of their graduation caps to the left, marking the transformation from student to graduate. The graduates were warmly welcomed into the Newman Alumni Association of more than 15,000.
Although the ceremony represents the end of an era for many, it also solidifies their permanence as members of the Newman Jet nation.
For Sister Julian Marie Swantek, the opportunity to learn and grow as a Newman student made commencement day “sadder than I thought it would be.”
“I’ve always felt cared for by my professors and I’ll miss learning here,” she said. “But it’s also good to start the next chapter.”
Swatnek will take her final vows as a sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in June and looks forward to teaching science at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in the fall.
Likewise, graduate Elise Helfrich is both sad and excited to begin her new chapter at the University of Missouri Kansas City Dental School. One thing is certain, however: she plans to make her professors and family proud while serving as a living example of Christ’s love.
“At Newman, I felt very valued and seen,” Helfrich said. “It made me want to work harder for my professors because they cared about me, and I care about them. I hope I can make them proud in the future.”
Newman University Alumni Association
Banded by thousands of Newman graduates, Alumni Relations is active in the continued success and spiritual wellness of all alumni.
