More than 120 guests gathered in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center Oct 27 to be honored for their support of Newman University at the second annual Beata Benefactors Banquet, a special event designed to recognize and thank major donors to the university.
The evening included remarks by several Newman University officials, including Newman Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees Archie Macias, who welcomed the guests and introduced a video message by Most Rev. Eugene J. Gerber, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Wichita. Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. then thanked the donors for their support and explained the name of the banquet.
Beata is Latin for “blessed,” Carrocci explained, a fitting title to “describe our reality, because we truly are blessed by your generosity.” Carrocci added that Beata is also the name of Mother Beata Netemeyer, ASC, who was the provincial of the Wichita Adorers of the Blood of Christ in the 1930’s and played a major role in the founding of Sacred Heart Junior College.
Newman Vice President for University Advancement J.V. Johnston served as emcee for the event.
Joe Schmit, author of “Silent Impact: Stories of Influence through Purpose, Persistence and Passion”, inspired and entertained the audience with a keynote address prior to the recognition portion of the evening.
Johnston, along with Senior Development Officer David Alexander, announced the new members of Newman’s Giving Societies. Each was presented with a gift by Carrocci.
New members in attendance included:
1933 Society
Lucy Heinz Estate
The Sacred Heart Society
Catholic Diocese of Dodge City
Mrs. Brenda Farha
Rosalie and Robert Goebel
William T. Kemper Foundation
Geraldine Killeen
Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation
Lattner Family Foundation
Riverside Health Foundation
Janet and Scott Schwindaman
Thomas Welk CPPS
Msgr. McNeill Society
Terri and Martin Dondlinger, Jr.
Sue and Kenneth Doonan
Paul J. Foley Jr.
Carol and Dr. James Loeffler
Kathy Gann-McCoy and Roger McCoy
Caroline Shipley
Anne and Robert Simpson
Alice and Dale Wiggins
Marta and Dr. Stephen Williamson
Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Bank of America
Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
South Central Sealing LLC
De Mattias Society Individuals
Flossie and David Alexander
Sharon and Clark Bastian
Debbie and Arlin Beer
Reverend Ned Blick
Diane and Roger Bloyd
Melanie and Ed Bugner
Julie and Dr. Eugene Cannata
Sherlyn and Anthony Catanese
Rev. Frank Coady
Krystal and Justin Crumbley
Nancy and Robert Diepenbrock
Vanessa and Raymond Dondlinger
Michael Donovan
Christopher Dugan
Tamela and Brian Eck
Francie and Dr. Hugh Ekengren
Heidi and Brad Elliott
Patricia and Scott Engelstad
Regina and Steven Feilmeier
Karen and Robin Foley
Ann and T. J. Foley
Jennifer and Brandon Gantz
Larry Gerber
Rev. Joseph Gile
Kathrine and Carter Girrens
Carolyn and Ronald Goertz
Margaret and Patrick Healy
Lisa and Joseph Hemmelgarn
Dr. Sheryl Hemmen and Steven Albert
Carol and Kenneth Hertel
Dr. Jack Hollingsworth
Jody and James Horner
James Hornsby
Jane Jacobs Lowe and Richard Lowe
Marianne and Jerry Johnston
Mary Jones
Rev. John Lanzrath
Kay and Ralph Lanzrath
Shawn and Dr. Thomas McCarthy
Colleen and Edwin Mikesell
Mary and Fred Muck
Dr. Tammie Nelsen
Sharon and Greg Niemann
Holly and Mark Rehwinkel
Tracy Shaw and Prasenjeet Chudhuri
Reverend Wayne Schmid
Kimberly and Patrick Schrant
Dr. Judith Coombs Schreiber
William Schwindt
Patricia and Howard Sherwood
Louise and Paul Shinogle
Denice and Dr. Andre Thibault
Sandra and Larry Tholen
Virginia and Paul Treadwell
Lori and Dr. Mark Troilo
Tracey and Ben Voegeli
Marsha Weber
Mary Ann and Dana Winkler
Curtis Zerr
De Mattias Society Wichita Area Businesses
Andale Ready Mix Central, Inc.
Burwell Roofing
DeVore Foundation
House of Schwann Inc.
Lies-Bugner Homes L.L.C.
Dr. Andrew Porter D.O.
Star Lumber and Supply
TCK – The Trust Company of Kansas
Newman Society
Elaine Aaron
Carm and Dr. Michael Ludlow
Caroline Shipley
The giving societies are:
The 1933 Society, which honors and celebrates individual donors who have given a cumulative amount of $1 million or more in cash gifts to the university. The 1933 in the title refers to the year Newman was founded as Sacred Heart Junior College
The Sacred Heart Society, which honors and celebrates donors who give $25,000 or more in cash gifts during the university’s fiscal year.
The Monsignor McNeill Society, which honors and celebrates donors who give between $10,000 and $24,999 in cash gifts during the university’s fiscal year. This Society is named for Monsignor Leon McNeill, the first President of Sacred Heart Junior College.
The De Mattias Society, which honors and celebrates individual donors who give between $1,000 and $9,999 in cash gifts during the university’s fiscal year. The society is named for St. Maria De Mattias, the foundress of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, the founding and sponsoring congregation of Newman University.
The Newman Society, which honors and celebrates donors who have made a commitment to support Newman University through a planned, deferred gift or endowment.
