A recap of Newman’s many year-end ceremonies

May 19, 2022
Newman University falculty walk outside Sacred Heart Hall

In what may seem like the blink of an eye, another academic year at Newman University has come to an end. Here’s a look back on the exciting events leading up to the university’s biggest day of the year.


Last week of classes

Spring Fling

Student Life’s annual Spring Fling event Thursday, April 28, drew students, faculty and staff to participate in a dunk tank, yard games, a mechanical bull, as well as free Chik-fil-A and Girl Scout cookies. Watch the video highlight reel of this popular end of the year event.

Watch the 2022 Spring Fling video

NSEP Reception

High school students of the Newman STEM Exploration Program celebrated the end of a successful semester with a reception April 28 in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center.

Newman students honored with 2022 Lab Coat ceremony.

Lab Coat Ceremony

Junior and senior science majors at Newman were recognized with a personalized lab coat during the Newman University Lab Coat Ceremony April 28. Special thanks to ’88 Newman alumni Jeff and Joan Lipp for sponsoring the lab coats.

View all lab coat photos on Facebook

Scholars Day

Scholars Day

With topics ranging from “Cell Death in Regeneration” to “How the Agriculture of Sports has Changed the Last 40 Years,” Scholars Day on April 29 gave students the opportunity to combine their research with their passions — resulting in the ultimate resumé booster.

Watch the Scholars Day videos


Final day of semester

2022 graduating nursing class

Nurse pinning ceremony

On Thursday, May 5, 22 nursing graduates, along with their family and close friends, gathered for the spring nursing pinning ceremony in Newman University’s De Mattias Performance Hall.

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Occupational Therapy Assistant Pinning

The graduating occupational therapy assistant class of 2022 held a pinning ceremony of its own Thursday, May 5, in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center.

Free photo portrait session

Several graduates and their families took advantage of a free portrait photography session from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 5 in the old bookstore space in Dugan.

Click here to view the full Flickr gallery of on campus portrait photos.

Bishop Kemme stands at the lecturn during his homily.

Baccalaureate Mass

For the first time in seven years, the annual Baccalaureate Mass celebrating graduates was held in St. John’s Chapel Thursday, May 5, on the Newman University campus. It had previously been held off-campus.

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Click here to view the Flickr photo gallery

Marcus Anthony Gonzalez gives a reflection following the Baccalaureate Mass in St. John's Chapel.

Baccalaureate student reflections

Students Kayla Garvert and Marcus Anthony Gonzales were selected to share their reflections immediately following the Baccalaureate Mass.

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President’s Reception

President Kathleen Jagger hosted a President’s Reception immediately following the Baccalaureate Mass, where graduates and families gathered for refreshments and fellowship.

“I had a great opportunity to sit and visit with some of the students that are from Dodge City, who I hadn’t really met yet,” Jagger said. “It’s just a joyful time to be together with our extended Newman family.”


Commencement Day

Recap of 2022 Newman Commencement day

A grand total of 401 graduates of Newman University earned their associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees during the spring commencement ceremony Friday, May 6. 

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Click here to view the Flickr photo gallery

Straub, wearing a dinosaur head, drops an inflatable microphone following his speech at the Newman University graduation ceremony May 6.

A mic-dropping commencement address

Larry Straub, DBA, took a risk with his commencement address to graduates Friday, May 6 at the Hartman Arena. Thankfully, it was anything but a tyrannosaurus wreck.

Continue reading or watch the video

Steven Nguyen walks toward the commencement stage to accept his Harvey J. Ablah Award.

Harvey J. Ablah Award presented to 2022 Newman graduate Steven Nguyen

Education graduate Steven Nguyen was awarded with the prestigious Harvey J. Ablah Award during the 2022 Newman University Commencement ceremony May 6.

Nguyen, a double major in secondary education and English, is the son of Vietnamese immigrants and is the first from his family to graduate from college.

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Kelly Mai waves and walks toward the commencement stage to accept her 2022 Newman Ablah Award.

Leona J. Ablah Award presented to 2022 Newman graduate Kelly Mai

The 2022 Leona J. Ablah Award was presented to the winning female recipient, Kelly Mai, during the Newman Commencement ceremony May 6.

Mai, who graduated as a double major in psychology and criminal justice with an art minor, is also a first-generation, Asian American college student.

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Time-lapse video of graduates filing into seats

Can you believe all the graduates were all able to complete the procession in one minute? Must be a world record.

Watch the video on Facebook

Commencement 2022 at Hartman Arena

Behind the curtain: making commencement 2022

Many hands make light work, and in the case of Newman University Commencement, the sparkling, ceremonious product is the result of several dedicated staff, faculty and student volunteers.

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Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Class of 2022

Hooding ceremony in Colorado Springs

A total of 18 social work program graduates were recognized during the Colorado Springs hooding ceremony on Saturday, May 14. The celebration took place at Holy Apostles Catholic Church located at 4925 N Carefree Circle. Family and friends gathered to watch their graduates be honored.

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Click here to view the full Flickr photo gallery of the hooding ceremony

Newman University alumni from the Colorado Springs area gathered for a mixer on Friday, May 13 and met with Newman President Kathleen Jagger, Ph.D.

Colorado Springs alumni mixer

Newman University alumni from the Colorado Springs area gathered for a mixer on Friday, May 13, and met with Newman President Kathleen Jagger, Ph.D.

Click here to view the full Flickr photo gallery of the Colorado Springs alumni mixer


Congratulations Newman University class of 2022!

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Founded in 1933, Newman University is grounded in Catholic values and traditions, yet is respectful of all faith traditions. At Newman you’ll find people, programs, organizations and activities designed to help you transform society.

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