The Wichita celebration of the century, Party on the Plaza: Roaring 20’s, took place Saturday, Sept. 28, with a grand total of $173,400 raised for student financial aid. This total ranks in the top four out of the past 10 years for the biggest amount of dollars raised during the event at Newman University.
With 398 guests in attendance, many wore their best flapper dresses, feathers and caps for a night of fantastic food, prohibition-inspired cocktails, a 360-degree photo booth, a speakeasy for private bourbon tastings, exclusive silent and live auction items and a spectacular firework finale.
The event was made possible by generous VIP sponsors Dale Withers and David ‘01, ‘11 and Glenna Borho, as well as presenting and event sponsors.
attire for a spectacular night of fundraising.
Time spent in service
Newman Events Coordinator Abbi Timmermeyer explained that Party on the Plaza is an “all hands on deck” event — with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members volunteering.
“We started planning for this year’s event about one week after Party on the Plaza last year, so it’s truly about a year’s work that goes into making this night possible,” Timmermeyer said.
Junior Kassidy Miller was one of several Newman students who volunteered to set up, greet guests, clear tables, sell golden tickets and tear down after the fundraiser.
“For me, it’s nice to know I’m giving back to the school that’s already given me so much, especially financially, so I could attend,” Miller said. “It’s just nice to know I’m giving some of my time back.”
Vice President of Institutional Advancement Bob Beumer expressed his gratitude to every person who donated their time to bring the big ideas of the ritzy bash to life.
“From setting the tables to cleaning them off, to helping us sell the golden tickets and seeing the Troubadours perform, we can’t do this just with our university advancement staff,” Beumer said. “It takes the whole campus to make this a successful event. And as usual, the campus stepped up.”
For some alumni, the event is also a reminder of the service that happens year-round within the Newman University community.
“I tutor students here at Newman, and what they give me is much more than what I give them,” said Chair of the Board of Trustees Jenifer Stone, APRN, ‘83, ‘87. “To see the young minds grow and develop, in my case as they pursue nursing careers as I did as a student, is more rewarding than anything I could receive.”
Stone said attending the event is “like coming home.”
“It’s meeting up with classmates, enjoying their company and seeing new students where we once were,” she said. “And of course, helping these men and women reach their goals and their achievements through scholarship donations.”
Talents shared
Guests experienced the musical talents of the Newman troubadours, directed by Music Director Deanne Zogleman and accompanied by Carole Pracht. They also witnessed the talents of alumni and friends of the university who donated handmade auction items.
To name a few, Bob Benson ‘20 donated two of his framed Kansas landscape photographs, Robert Boewe ‘69 donated a basket of assorted goodies from his local business, The Spice Merchant, Rosemary Dugan ‘62 shared a handpainted river painting and the Rev. Tom Welk donated a side table he handcrafted from a walnut tree. Several more alumni, community members and spouses of staff, donated items for the fundraiser.
“It shows just how much the community is committed to supporting our students,” President Kathleen Jagger, Ph.D., MPH said. “Lots of alumni and community members volunteer their talents and donate items to make it happen.”
After 13 years with JT Klaus ‘87 as emcee, Newman student Faith Crabb took the reigns and rallied people together on the big night.
“It means a lot to me because I get to be a part of helping raise the funds for students to be able to come to college,” Crabb said. “It shows our willingness to help give future students those same good memories that alumni made possible for us.”
Treasure that impacts generations of students
Of the $173,400 raised, $59,400 was generated during the “Fund the Need” bidding — the biggest amount since 2015.
It’s impossible to pinpoint the impact every Newman scholarship has had on student recipients, but several alumni can attest to the pricelessness of supporting Newman students in their educational journey.
One such attendee is alumna Veronica Johnston, who donated the final $100 for the “Fund the Need” bid and as a bonus, won a free table for eight for Party on the Plaza 2025.
“I feel so grateful for the scholarships that I was given when I came here to school, and I think Newman was the most wonderful experience of my life as a young person,” she said. “I’m happy to see others get the same experience.”
Johnston believes Newman transforms lives for the better, in turn impacting communities for the better.
“The people who have gone to school here really do make a difference wherever they end up living,” she added.
President Jagger noted that for the second consecutive year, Klaus offered to double each of the final $100 bids.
“I’m so, so grateful for JT,” Jagger said. “That kind of generosity … what can you say other than ‘Thank you so much?’ He’s given so much to Newman, but he keeps giving and it’s the people who keep giving that make us who we are.”
As multiyear VIP sponsors, the Borhos said they love giving back to Newman University every chance they can.
“It gives such great opportunities to so many young people to get ahead in the world,” David Borho said.
His wife, Glenna, added, “We want this university to be successful. The little bit we can help, that’s our contribution.”
Fellow multiyear VIP sponsor Dale Withers said he enjoys all aspects of Party on the Plaza, from the fellowship and performances to the act of giving back.
“I enjoy all of them, and the people that (I get to) hang out (with),” Withers said.
Hospital executive and consultant Gigi Fergus ’87 graduated with a degree in biology, a minor in chemistry, a minor in English and 30 hours of performing art. She described Party on the Plaza as a great way to build money for scholarships to benefit students who “don’t have it like I did.”
“Maybe it’s the books, maybe it’s the cost of the residence halls, maybe it’s just having enough money to go home over Christmas break,” she said. “Scholarships of any form or fashion help, and this is a great opportunity for people to give what they can.”
Paths of possibility for students
Graduate Hayden VanDePol ‘23 tried to imagine how his life would be different without the opportunity to attend college.
“I didn’t even know that I liked accounting until I got to college, so my life would look a lot different,” he said. “Professor (Patrick) Nance … shout out to him … I was in his class and it just clicked one day. I had the realization, ‘I guess accounting is for me.’ And now I’m a tax accountant and love my job. The only other job that I could have gotten into was construction work. So were it not for Newman and Professor Nance, I feel like I’d probably be pulling 10- to 12-hour days on a construction site.”
As a recent graduate, VanDePol said he may not be able to donate to the same extent as alumni who have attended Party on the Plaza for years. However, witnessing so many alumni return inspires him to give when he can in the future.
“I had such a great time in college, and to see so many alumni come back and see their example of giving back is amazing,” VanDePol said. “I’d like to be able to donate more as I progress through life because I know it’s going to affect someone for the better later on.”
It shows just how much the community is committed to supporting our students.
Newman President Kathleen Jagger
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