Advent 2025: Newman community reflections

Advent is a liturgical season the Christian Churches offer us to spiritually prepare for the celebration of Christmas, the reality of Jesus becoming human so that we can become divine. Advent invites us to open our whole selves to welcome Jesus, God-made-flesh, Emmanuel. Here are reflections from the Newman University community for the first week… Continue reading Advent 2025: Newman community reflections

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Newman team celebrates the launch of new student information system J1

Confetti fills the air as staff and faculty of the J1 implementation team celebrate the launch of a new student information system at Newman University.

After two years of development and campus-wide work, Newman University has launched its new student information system, Jenzabar One (J1). 

Three outstanding professors honored during Newman’s Faculty Excellence Awards

(From left to right) 2025 Faculty Excellence Award winners Johnson, Cheek and Hane

Newman University honored three faculty members for outstanding teaching during the 2025 Faculty Excellence Awards Banquet on Nov. 14. 

Your weekly athletics recap: Nov. 13-20

Senior match for Women's Volleyball (courtesy photo: Richard Rico)

Read this weekly review of Newman University Athletics to ensure you don’t miss the biggest news, scores, updates and more.

Pop-up clinic by Newman graduate Sebastian Salcedo-Vaquera ’25 serves Wichita’s vulnerable

Vituity Cares Foundation Pop-Up Clinic in Wichita, founded by Sebastian Salcedo-Vaquera

Newman graduate Sebastian Salcedo-Vaquerq is expanding access to free medical care in downtown Wichita through a monthly pop-up clinic he founded.

Cross country runner Timothy Kiprotich qualifies for NCAA National Championships

Kiprotich earning medalist award for Newman Cross

Newman cross country runner Timothy Kiprotich qualified for the national championships after setting a record time for the Jets.

From New Jersey to Newman: Jaden Schaefer ‘25, striking ‘kindness’ 

Nursing graduates '25: Jaden Schaefer (far right)

2025 graduate Jaden Schaefer is excited to use her nursing degree from Newman University to transform society for the better.

Students grow in leadership, dialogue at Kansas Leadership Center workshop

Students of the Newman Student Government Association with Joseph Shepard (previous multicultural director at Newman)

Sixteen Newman University students recently participated in the Kansas Leadership Center’s “Free Expressions” workshop on November 7. 

Meet soon-to-be first-generation graduate: Prisca Bahati

Senior nursing major Prisca Bahati will graduate in December, marking a major milestone as a first-generation college graduate and an ASC Service Award Scholar.

President Jagger attends Vatican ceremony honoring St. Newman as Doctor of the Church

Following Mass, Jagger poses with a Newman University pennant with Hughes, the ASC superior general.

Pope Leo XIV officially declared Saint John Henry Newman, namesake of Newman University, the 38th Doctor of the Church on November 1.

Confession and Therapy: A Newman student’s presentation at a conference

Senior Isabel Porres represented Newman at a religious conference, presenting the topic of her senior thesis: The Complementary Roles of Confession and Talk Therapy. The American Academy of Religion’s Regional Conference was held at the University of Denver in the Rocky Mountain-Great Plains area on March 28, 2025. Porres applied in November under the encouragement… Continue reading Confession and Therapy: A Newman student’s presentation at a conference

Designing the Future: Newman’s Digital Design Program Blazes a Trail

As digital technology continues to reshape the way we communicate, create, and connect, Newman University is staying ahead of the curve with its Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design, a dynamic and growing program that blends creativity with marketable skills for the 21st century. While the program was established before her arrival, Professor Emily Ritter… Continue reading Designing the Future: Newman’s Digital Design Program Blazes a Trail

Girls Talk Game: Newman Students Hear from a Rising Star in Sports Broadcasting

The energy was high and the inspiration was real when students in Newman University’s Sports Media and Promotion program got the chance to hear from Asia Smith—a sports anchor, mentor, and passionate advocate for women in sports media. Smith, who works as a sports reporter in Wichita, visited campus to speak about her career, the… Continue reading Girls Talk Game: Newman Students Hear from a Rising Star in Sports Broadcasting

Hamlet on the Road: To Hamlet or not to Hamlet?

Newman’s theater department packed up and took Shakespeare’s Hamlet down the road to perform at local high schools.  The production’s first performance was on campus, March 6-8, with that Saturday being a full house. Afterwards, they started a short tour of the performance for high school English and Drama classes. Theater Director Mark Mannette, who’s… Continue reading Hamlet on the Road: To Hamlet or not to Hamlet?

Inside the Lab: How Newman’s Cadaver Facility Is Shaping Future Healthcare Leaders

Tucked Inside the state-of-the-art Bishop Gerber Science Center at Newman University is a rare gem for a university of its size: a fully equipped cadaver lab. While such facilities are typically found only at large medical schools, Newman not only maintains one—it shares it with KU School of Medicine in Wichita, and opens it to… Continue reading Inside the Lab: How Newman’s Cadaver Facility Is Shaping Future Healthcare Leaders

Learning by Encounter: Prof. Sonja Bontrager impacts students with immersion

Professor of Spanish Sonja Bontrager came to Newman hoping to create a study abroad program inspired by the impact her own international studies had on her – and she did. Born in Ohio to Amish Mennonite parents, Bontrager moved to Hesston, Kansas at the age of seven. She took French in middle school and three… Continue reading Learning by Encounter: Prof. Sonja Bontrager impacts students with immersion

Birding and Building Community: Honors Program Book Inspires Local Change

This year, the Newman University Honors Program selected Birding to Change the World by Trish O’Kane as its annual common read, continuing a five-year tradition of using literature to spark meaningful discussion and growth among students. The memoir, which combines themes of activism, nature, and local change, is a fitting choice for the Honors Program.… Continue reading Birding and Building Community: Honors Program Book Inspires Local Change

Message from our deans

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the joint newsletter for the Schools of Arts and Sciences and Catholic Studies. This publication celebrates the creativity, scholarship, and dedication that defines our vibrant academic communities. The School of Arts and Sciences is proud to offer a dynamic education rooted in the arts, humanities, and sciences—one that cultivates… Continue reading Message from our deans

Newman community rallies to restock Jets Resource Hub amid SNAP benefit delays

The Jets Resource Hub is located in McNeil Hall, room 123.

As the government shutdown continues, the Newman community is stepping up to support one another through the Jets Resource Hub.

Your weekly athletics recap: Oct. 30 – Nov. 6

Newman Jets logo (Courtesy photo: Richard Rico)

Read this weekly review of Newman University Athletics to ensure you don’t miss the biggest news, scores, updates and more.

A London dream, a Newman journey: Elle Johnson ‘25

Elle Johnson (left) on Senior Day 2024

In spring 2025, Elle Johnson graduated with her bachelor’s degree — an achievement that demonstrated perseverance, adaptability and courage. 

Your weekly athletics recap: Oct. 23-Oct. 30

Women's Volleyball in prayer (Courtesy photo: Richard Rico)

Women’s Volleyball in prayer (Courtesy photo: Richard Rico)

Newman celebrates its senior soccer players 

Sosu celebrates Senior night with friends

Newman University recognized 31 senior soccer players between the men’s and women’s teams during senior nights this fall.

Steckline Gallery presents ‘Intersections, Loops, & Undulations’ for November exhibition

Three art pieces from "Intersections, Loops, & Undulations" exhibition at Newman University

The Steckline Gallery presents “Intersections, Loops, & Undulations” during a First Friday exhibition November 7 at Newman University.