Every spring at Newman University, four alumni, countless generous donors and an outstanding individual’s contributions are recognized with an awards ceremony, now known as the Newman Legacy Banquet.
The newly named Newman Legacy Banquet is a year-end ceremony that has been a longstanding campus tradition. It includes the recognition of four Alumni Awards, Beata Benefactors as well as the St. John Henry Newman Medal recipient.
The 2024 Legacy Banquet will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center.
Newman President Kathleen Jagger shared that there are “so many alumni and other friends of Newman who have served as the bedrock of this sacred institution by being examples of living our mission and generosity.
“We are grateful for their generosity of heart that allows us to support our students to transform society,” she said.
About the Alumni Awards
The four Alumni Awards recognize graduates of Newman who have made significant contributions within their career fields and the broader community. Anyone can nominate a Newman alum for these prestigious, annual awards.
The St. Maria De Mattias Award is named for the foundress of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC). The award honors alumni who display a deep loyalty to Newman and its mission. The award recipient has also given meritorious and continuous support and stewardship to Newman University and Catholic life.
The Beata Netemeyer Service Award is named for Sister Beata Netemeyer, ASC, who served as the provincial of the ASC for the former Wichita province from its formation in 1929 until 1938. She was also instrumental in establishing Sacred Heart Junior College, now Newman University, and is the namesake of the Beata Benefactors.
The Spirit of Acuto Award is named in honor of the driving spirit of the ASC. This award honors alumni and friends who, as a reflection of their association with Newman, have been a driving force, using their talent and training at critical junctures to move a vision to reality.
The Leon A. McNeill Achievement Award honors graduates who have achieved outstanding success in their personal lives and careers. They have enriched the church spiritually, made contributions to society and demonstrated concern for others. The award is named for the first president of Sacred Heart Junior College, now Newman University.
About the Beata Benefactors
The Beata Benefactors Banquet was established in 2014 to thank donors for gifts in the form of scholarships and capital campaigns and to honor the memory of Netemeyer — the same ASC sister who is the namesake of the Beata Netemeyer Service Award.
“Beata is Latin for ‘blessing,’ and so we decided to honor Sister Beata’s memory as well as to say how blessed we are to have the benefactors that we do for Newman University,” past president Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D., said during the 2019 event.
About the St. Newman Medal
The St. Newman Medal is the highest award the university can bestow. By conferring the St. Newman Medal, the university recognizes persons who have been instrumental in the growth and development of the university.
The St. Newman Medal is given to an honoree who exemplifies the truths St. John Henry Newman espoused, either through scholarship, intellectual pursuits, community service or spiritual life.
Give to Newman University
The most important reason to give is knowing that your contribution will directly impact students, allowing Newman University to continue its mission to “empower graduates to transform society.”
