Joshua Dessenberger brought home more than just his diploma at commencement May 10 — he brought home the Harvey J. Ablah Award as well.
The Harvey J. and Leona J. Ablah Awards are given to one graduating male and female student and announced at commencement. Nominees for these awards are students who show great promise to make a strong and positive contribution to society. Both award recipients must graduate with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher and receive a monetary award. The winners are also remembered for their accomplishments with a bronze plaque that forever stays on the second floor of the DeMattias Gorges Atrium, where they are shown alongside their mentor while at Newman.
During commencement, Dessenberger was humbled to hear his name called. 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,” Dessenberger 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.”
A heart for health care
Since he was a junior in high school, Dessenberger knew he wanted to become a physician. His original interest can be attributed to his mother, a registered nurse, working with a general surgeon. Before college, Dessenberger’s father and grandfather endured a series of medical emergencies, solidifying the fact that Dessenberger’s calling was clear.
“It showed me how finite life truly is and how important it is to have extremely knowledgeable and compassionate individuals who can treat people when needed,” Dessenberger said.
Dessenberger chose Newman after a campus visit, where he could quite literally “feel the difference,” he said.
His one-on-one conversations with faculty about the science and honors programs “helped solidify the faculty-to-student connection I found lacking in other schools,” Dessenberger said.
Now, Professor of History and Director of the Honors Program Kelly McFall — one of the faculty members who spoke with Dessenberger on his first campus visit, will be pictured alongside him on the bronze commemoratory plaque and added to the Ablah Award winner wall.
A rising leader on campus and off
If Dessenberger’s early admission into the University of Kansas’ Medical School (KUMC) wasn’t enough of an indication, his leadership and participation throughout his time at Newman show how he has set himself for success. Dessenberger served as president of both the Newman Medical Professionals Club and Chemistry Club, senator in the Student Government Association and a teaching assistant for the general and organic chemistry labs and the freshman honors seminar.
The Ablah Award was not the only award Dessenberger earned during his time at Newman. Dessenberger also was recognized during the Academic Awards Convocation where he received the 2024 Outstanding Senior Chemistry Student Award. Additionally, he was given the Margaret Di Silvestro Award for Distinguished Service to the Honors Program.
Dessenberger feels the faculty at Newman are part of the reason he is so well prepared for his next step at KUMC.
“The faculty are amazing. You can set your mind to anything and accomplish it through the faculty,” Dessenberger said. “They really care about you, and that is just not me saying that for fun. I couldn’t be more prepared for my career in medicine.”
Now Dessenberger is more ready than ever to take on the next chapter of his life at KUMC.
“One thing that attracted me to the role of a physician was the ability to continue my aspiration of being a lifelong learner, never taking for granted the knowledge that others can share with me,” Dessenberger said. “Aside from this, I am looking forward to being in the Kansas City area for the start of this journey, being closer to my sister who lives there, and embracing a brand-new city since I have lived in the Wichita area my whole life.”
I couldn’t be more prepared for my career in medicine.
Dessenberger on how Newman’s faculty prepared him for medical school
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