Wichita businessman and former Newman University Board of Trustees Chairman John Marstall will receive the Cardinal Newman Medal at the university’s annual Cardinal Newman and Alumni Awards Banquet, set this year for 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26 in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center on the Newman campus.
The banquet and awards ceremony is the culminating event in a week of festivities designed to honor the life, lessons and ideals of John Henry Cardinal Newman, the university’s namesake. This year, the week takes on a special meaning, as it will be the first year the university celebrates Newman since he was beatified – the last step before sainthood — in England last September by Pope Benedict XVI.
The Cardinal Newman Medal is conferred upon those who demonstrate in their daily life an appreciation of the spirit and ideals of Cardinal Newman and who have been instrumental in the growth and development of the university. It is the highest honor bestowed by the Newman University Board of Trustees.
In receiving the medal, Marstall will be cited for his long service to Newman, higher education and the Catholic community. He is a CPA with a 40-year career in accounting. He has served on corporate boards and in several offices of the Serra Club of Wichita – Downtown, including president and secretary. He was also a member of the Newman Associate Board of Directors and later the Board of Trustees. Among many other achievements on the board, he served as chair and led the university’s search for a president that resulted in the hiring of Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. in 2007. He also provided strong leadership in concluding a capital campaign for the university’s Dugan Library and Campus Center, including his work to secure a challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation.
“The choice of John for the 2011 Cardinal Newman Medal was clear and richly deserved,” Carrocci said. “He has been a great friend to Newman and to Catholic higher education over many years. His contributions, business acumen, and efforts to strengthen the university financially, academically, and spiritually have literally changed the face of Newman University – for the better!”
The banquet will also feature the presentation of the annual Alumni Awards. This year’s recipients are William (Tony) Schountz, Ph.D., who will receive the Leon A. McNeill Distinguished Alumni in Science Award; Dennis A. Newell, who will receive the Leon A. McNeill Distinguished Alumni in Education Award; Don Bittner, M.D., who will receive the Spirit of Acuto Transformational Leadership Award, and Margaret Knoeber, ASC, Ph.D., who will receive the St. Maria De Mattias Award.
Other popular events scheduled for the week are the Cardinal Newman Guest Lecture, which features a nationally recognized Newman scholar, and High Tea, which features traditional English pastries and savories. The complete list of events and locations is as follows:
Sunday, Feb. 20
7 p.m. – Sunday Mass, St. John’s Chapel
8 p.m. – Campus Ministry Social, Heritage Room
Monday, Feb. 21
Noon – Cardinal Birthday Celebration, Mabee Dining Center
Tuesday, Feb. 22
11 a.m. – Cardinal Newman Mass, St. John’s Chapel
7 p.m. – Cardinal Newman Guest Lecture – Edward Jeremy Miller, Ph.D., S.T.D. of Gwynedd-Mercy College, Dugan-Gorges Conference Center
Wednesday, Feb. 23
2-4 p.m. – High Tea, Gorges Atrium
5:30-7:30 p.m. – Evening Tea, Eck Hall
Thursday, Feb. 24
Noon – Cardinal Newman Speaker – Michael Austin, Ph.D. of Newman University, Tarcisia Roths, ASC Alumni Center
Friday, Feb. 25
7 p.m. – Alumni Association Annual Meeting and Alumni Awards Reception, Tarcisia Roths, ASC Alumni Center
Saturday, Feb. 26
5 p.m. – Sunday Vigil Mass, St. John’s Chapel
6 p.m. – Cardinal Newman and Alumni Awards Reception, Dugan-Gorges Conference Center
7 p.m. – Cardinal Newman and Alumni Awards Banquet, Dugan-Gorges Conference Center (Reservations required)
For more details on the events and to reserve tickets to the Cardinal Newman and Alumni Awards Banquet visit http://cardinalnewman.eventbrite.com.
