This story was originally published in The Vantage student newspaper on May 8, 2025. Minimal edits have been made.
By Dannicka McGrath, photo editor
Every year, graduating seniors are nominated for a special award at Newman known as the Ablah Award.
But what is this award, and what makes it so special?
Alden Stout, Newman’s vice president of academic affairs, said that the Ablah Award was established in the 1990s by Frank and Geri Jabara in honor of Geri’s parents, Harvey J. and Leona J. Ablah, who had a passion for lifelong learning, service and academic excellence.
“It’s designed to recognize academic excellence, living the mission and serving others,” Stout said. “So it’s a very holistic award, and it’s the most prestigious one that we give to students.”
Faculty members nominate candidates each year, and they tend to pick those who are living the Newman mission, are engaged in on- and off-campus service, and who have excellent grades.
The Ablah nominees for the 2024-2025 school year are seniors Juan Cordova, Daniel Cubias-Arteaga, Andrea Fuentes, Ereka Hiser, Erika Iseman, Allie Johnson, Margaret Koenig, Corbin Molina, Emily Pachta, Isabel Porres, Rose Stewart and Alondra Valle.
One male student and one female student will win the award, which comes with a $2,500 prize. Ablah Award winners also have their pictures taken with their mentors, then Newman casts the pictures onto bronze plaques and hangs them on the second floor of the atrium in De Mattias Hall. The winners will be named at the graduation ceremony May 17.
Get to know each nominee
Cordova will receive a degree in business management at graduation. During his time at Newman, Cordova worked as a Residence Life assistant and as a library assistant and was captain of the men’s soccer team. His favorite memory at Newman was making the soccer semifinals as captain last year. He said his mentors at Newman were Larry Straub and Sister Therese Wetta, ASC.
“Newman gave me a new purpose in my life, gave a different way to see myself and life and gave me the opportunity to be able to be close to God,” Cordova said. “Being nominated for the Ablah award means a lot to me. It doesn’t matter if I don’t win because this is already enough for me to show that I did good work in Newman during all these years.”
Cubias-Arteaga is a biology major with a concentration in pre-medicine. He said he plans to take a gap year before starting medical school.
Cubias has been involved in too many campus clubs and organizations to count, he said, but some of his favorites include the Sloppy Joes improv team, the Newman chorale and troubadours, the MultiCultural Leadership Organization and the Newman University Medical Professions club.
His favorite memories at Newman come from the camaraderie among the choir members, he said. His mentor is Director of Music Deanne Zogleman.
“Deanne Zogleman has been a constant presence in my life and the greatest mentor I have and maybe will ever have,” he said. “I have learned so much, and my voice has come a long way from freshman year.”
Iseman studied diagnostic medical sonography. After graduation, Iseman plans to start an ultrasound technician position at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph hospital and to spend time with friends and family without any homework. During her time at Newman, she has been involved in the chorale, the troubadours and theater. Her favorite memory at Newman was being a part of the production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” her sophomore year.
Zogleman was also her mentor.
“She has been a constant source of encouragement and inspiration,” Iseman said.
Johnson studied elementary education at Newman and will receive a bachelor’s in elementary education.
Johnson plans to further her education by studying at Newman for a master’s degree in English as a second language and will start a position at Westmoreland Elementary School as a first-grade teacher.
She has worked in the Student Success Center for three years and also was an assistant in the education department. She has also been involved in the President’s Cabinet, the Teachers Club, Circle K International, Jets For Life and Campus Ministry. She was also the division chair for education and social work for the Student Government Association and has been on the dance team since her freshman year.
“The largest life lesson I learned at Newman is the significance of resilience, empathy, and trusting in God’s plan, even when the path ahead is unclear,” she said. “Throughout my time here, I encountered challenges that tested me both personally and academically. While there were moments of uncertainty and difficulty, I learned the value of having faith and trusting in God, even when the reasons behind these challenges were not immediately apparent.”
Koenig studied mathematics and biology at Newman. After graduation, Koenig will work at Pasture Valley in Swaziland, a farm in South Africa that was expanded into a children’s home. During her time on campus, Koenig has been a part of Campus Ministry and the triathlon team. Johnston said her mentor at Newman was her advisor, Barbara Sponsel.
“Dr. Sponsel has been a consistent and steady source of help for reworking my degree plans as I changed my mind multiple times about what exactly I was majoring in,” she said. “I am very grateful for her patience and understanding.”
Pachta has studied psychology and biology and will attend the University of Kansas School of Medicine starting in July.
During her time at Newman, Pachta worked as a certified nurse aide in the Caritas Center and also worked for two years assisting retired nuns. She has also been involved with the Sloppy Joes improv team, Pi Gamma Mu, the Newman University Medical Professions Club and the President’s Cabinet. She served as a senator for SGA for two years before becoming the Public Relations Chair.
Her favorite memory at Newman was studying abroad her sophomore year, when she proved to herself that she could be independent. The biggest life lesson she learned at Newman is that you don’t know what you don’t know.
“And the only way to explore that is to have new experiences,” she said. “Through new experiences, like studying abroad, I learned how large the world is and how many different paths there are for each person.”
Porres has studied theology. After graduation, she will attend Divine Mercy University for her master’s degree in counseling.
During her time at Newman, she has been a member of Campus Ministry and a member of Metanoia. She was once a member of the discontinued Jazzy Jets, which was Newman’s jazz ensemble. The biggest life lesson Porres has learned at Newman, she said, is that “all of life is a gift.”
Molina has been at Newman for just three years, studying chemistry and minoring in theater. During his time at Newman, he has worked as a shop foreman in the theater shop and has been the master carpenter for two years. He is a member of the chorale and the troubadours and is also an SGA senator and president of the Newman Theatre Club.
He hopes to work at OxyChem after graduation or work towards a master’s degree in nuclear engineering.
Fuentes has studied marketing. She is a part of the Newman cheer team, an RA, a marketing intern for the Student Success Center, student worker for University Relations and a photographer for the Wichita Thunder Hockey Team. She is also involved in student life and the Hispanic-American Leadership Organization.
“Being an Ablah nominee is an incredible honor, especially after learning more about what it represents,” Fuentes said. “Whether or not I receive the award, being nominated affirms that the effort I’ve put into growing as a person and helping others hasn’t gone unnoticed — and that’s incredibly meaningful to me.”
She said the biggest life lesson learned at Newman is that “it’s okay not to have everything figured out right away.”
“Newman taught me that finding your purpose isn’t always a straight line, and that the support of a strong community can make all the difference while you figure it out.”
Hiser has studied radiologic technology at Newman for three years and attended Butler Community College before attending Newman.
Stewart studied diagnostic medical sonography.
Valle majored in social work with a minor in business. She works in admissions, was a two-term president of the Student Government Association, is a Resident Advisor, the treasurer for the Multicultural Leadership Organization, Vice President of Pi Gamma Mu. She’s also in the honors program.
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Don’t miss out on free portrait photography for graduates, Baccalaureate Mass, the President’s Reception or important details about the big day.
