After joining the Wichita Police Academy this month, Newman alumna Andrea Wickstrum is on her way to transforming society.
Wickstrum, who graduated in spring 2019, said she did not know what to expect with criminal justice.
“I started out as a psychology major at Newman but at the end of my freshman year, one of my friends took me to a criminal justice seminar,” she said. “I decided to add a criminal justice major that night.”
While the seminar was the catalyst for her adding the major, she had had aspirations in the past to get involved with criminal justice.
“I’ve wanted to be a police officer since I was 6 years old. I decided to join the police academy at the beginning of my last year of college,” she said. “I had been struggling with the decision for several years because of the stresses between the community and the police.”
Wickstrum, who graduated in three years, said Newman deeply influenced her decision to join the police academy.
“Sister Marsha (Wilson) taught me what it truly means to be selfless and to help everyone,” she explained. “My time as an ASC scholar really solidified my feelings of wanting to be a police officer.”
As a student-athlete at Newman, Wickstrum learned how to balance both academics and being a member of the women’s bowling team.
Head Bowling Coach Billy Murphy said Wickstrum was not only hard working on the lanes but also in her studies, stating, “I think she is very diligent and very good in the classroom,” he said. “She won’t let any detail get away from her.”
Wickstrum said she continually had people hold her up while she was at Newman.
“My favorite part about Newman was all the constant support and the welcoming environment,” she said. “All of which helped me to pursue my dream of becoming a police officer.”
Murphy said he believes Wickstrum will make a great police officer.
“She is a great person with a personality that draws others to her, which will help her lead as a police officer,” he said.
Wickstrum added, “I’m really looking forward to meeting new people and learning new things. Newman definitely made me grow as a person and helped me become more social. I’m looking forward to going out in the community in true Newman fashion by transforming society.”
