This story was originally published in the Sept. 7, 2025 online issue of Southwest Kansas Catholic, the newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City. The author is Dave Myers.
In the movie “Toy Story,” all the toys that otherwise sit lifeless on the shelves of a little boy’s bedroom suddenly come to vivid life when the boy is not around. Each toy is its own masterful creation from unseen artists and craftsmen and each brings its own perspective and value to the world.
The notion is not lost on St. Dominic, Garden City parishioner Patricia “Trish” Keller, who recently accepted the role of mission animator for Newman University at the Western Campus Outreach Center.
“Just as the toys come to life, I need to bring to life — to real-life application — Newman’s mission and core values,” Keller said. “For example, Newman values being a culture of service. Through service, we honor human dignity, but also grow ourselves by gaining empathy and a wider perspective. So, I’ll prompt faculty and staff to consider what service looks like in their specific roles. Is it taking extra time to understand a student’s needs? Is it covering for a busy coworker? For students, is it a service project? Or helping a classmate who’s struggling?”
Newman University was founded in 1933 by the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) and later named for English Catholic theologian, academic, philosopher, historian, writer, and poet, St. John Henry Newman, whose life stretched across the 1800s.
“For Newman University, our Catholic identity is tied to the ASC sisters and our namesake, St. John Henry Newman,” Keller said. “Being a Catholic university also means being part of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition —the notion that all truth comes from God, so faith and reason are complementary.”
Prior to accepting her new role, Keller served as a self-employed Catholic initiation minister for 26 years in Garden City.
“I drew on my theology degree as an RCIA (now OCIA) leader and catechist, for adult confirmation, and as a Sunday scripture study group leader, all of which I’m still doing at St. Dominic’s. I’ve also taught in [the] pastoral ministry formation program. As a theology ‘nerd,’ I took some summer institute courses at Catholic Theological Union.”
For more than 20 years, Keller has volunteered at St. Dominic in the OCIA. She was also a writing instructor at Garden City Community College.
She said she will connect any interested students with faith opportunities at St. Dominic.
“Study has helped me make sense of all that Catholicism entails. And I love having conversations with seekers and Catholic-curious people — to walk alongside them as they explore faith. And now, that can include Newman Outreach students.”
Times have changed since many students had to pack up and move to another city or state to attend classes. Through computer-based face-to-face meeting programs such as Zoom and Canvas, students can attend classes from anywhere.
How Newman courses are offered varies among instructors and programs, Keller explained. It depends on the instructor and the course. Some classes include a hybrid format, in which students will meet via computer and also at Hennessy Hall in Dodge City or at Garden City Community College part of the time.
“For place-bound people interested in earning a college degree, Newman offers degree programs in agriculture technology management, business, certified financial planner, teaching, nursing, computer science, data science, video game development, and applied artificial intelligence,” Keller explained. “Generous scholarships are available, and our student support staff nurtures and guides students along the way.”
Associate degree credits from community colleges in Garden City, Dodge City, and Liberal transfer seamlessly to Newman’s Outreach programs. Students complete their associate degrees and then
transition to Newman for their bachelor’s level courses.
Keller earned her master’s degree in theology/theological studies from Newman, utilizing online and in-class sessions.
Education transforms us, and we can then transform our communities, so everyone flourishes. That’s exciting for all of us in western Kansas.
Trish Keller, mission animator for Newman University
“I took fully online courses for two years, and our cohort gathered for every-other-month intensive learning weekends on the Wichita campus. We finished the program with a fantastic class trip to Rome, guided by Father Joe Gile.
“I so enjoyed being an adult graduate student at Newman and truly experienced the sense of community that Newman fosters,” Keller said. “That’s why I can joyfully and confidently share with others. Plus, I’m excited about how Newman is making higher education possible for people who need to stay in western Kansas. Education transforms us, and we can then transform our communities, so everyone flourishes. That’s exciting for all of us in western Kansas.”
Keller is married to Doug, a retired insurance agent who now serves as a part-time physical education teacher at St. Mary School. They have three adult sons.
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