Newman University, Wichita

History

The origins of Newman University can be traced to the village of Acuto, Italy, where in 1834 a young woman named Maria De Mattias founded the order of religious women, which would become the university’s sponsoring religious congregation, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ [ASC]. Following the example of Maria—who was elevated to sainthood in 2003—the ASC were primarily a teaching order. The sisters came to the United States beginning in 1870, settling near St. Louis. In 1893, they were missioned to Westphalia, KS, and by 1902, they had come as far west as Wichita, Kansas. They purchased a six-acre piece of land, which Henry Dugan, a local farmer, had donated to the Catholic Diocese when Most Rev. J. J. Hennessy was bishop of Wichita. Here the Adorers established St. John’s Institute, a boarding school for girls. The following year (1903) a boys’ school was added. This former Dugan property would eventually become the heart of the Newman University campus.

In 1933, Mother Beata Netemeyer, who was named the first provincial of the Wichita Adorers in 1929, decided to establish Sacred Heart Junior College with the guidance and assistance of Leon A. McNeill, a member of the diocesan clergy and the superintendent of the Diocesan Catholic Schools.

The college officially opened on September 12, 1933, with “no personnel, no finances and very limited facilities” at the height of the Great Depression then engulfing the world. Despite the obstacles, the college steadily developed, training the sisters as teachers and providing education for lay women in teacher education, nursing, secretarial science and home economics. The objective of the college was the “development of a true and finished Christian character” to enable students to be honorable and useful citizens of the world. The first graduating class of 1935 numbered 17.

In the 1950s, Sacred Heart had expanded its curriculum, degree offerings and faculty, and the college became a four-year institution. De Mattias Hall, a facility that included a stage, gymnasium, and music and art classrooms, was also completed; it was torn down approximately 50 years later. Men were admitted to the college in 1958 but could enroll only in the evening courses and summer sessions. In the 1960s, Sacred Heart became coeducational [1965], entered intercollegiate athletics [1967] and received accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary schools [1967]. Three campus buildings were completed during the decade: McNeill Hall [1961], the Marciana Heimerman, ASC Science Hall [1966] and Merlini Hall [1967].

In 1973 the college’s name was changed to Kansas Newman College to reflect the continued growth of the institution, the expanded range of educational programs, and to honor John Henry Cardinal Newman, the 19th-century theologian and scholar known for his writings on the liberal arts and education. Through the 1970s many new programs were introduced, including women’s intercollegiate athletics [1976] and a nursing degree program [1979].

The 1980s witnessed development of strategic plans to define the mission of the college and to guide it toward the 21st century. Eck Hall [1995], O’Shaughnessy Sports Complex [1997], Mabee Dining Center [2000], Gorges Atrium [2000], De Mattias Fine Arts Center [2000], and Beata Hall [2000] were funded by two capital campaigns under the able leadership of Tarcisia Roths, ASC, who served as the 9th president of the university. Sister Tarcisia established Newman’s Mentor Wall, housed in the Gorges Atrium; she chose Sylvia Gorges, ASC, the 5th president, as her mentor. It was during the tenures of these two women religious that the majority of the Newman campus was built and renovated.

In the fall of 2007, Newman welcomed its 11th president, Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D., the first lay woman to serve in this position. Dr. Carrocci joined the Newman community as it completed another successful fund drive, resulting in construction of a 56,000 sq. ft. library and campus center named for the Dugan family [grandchildren of Henry Dugan, original owner of the land]. The campus has changed significantly with the rerouting of a city street that formerly ran through the campus, and the creation of a pedestrian mall housing Founders Plaza, dedicated in 2008 as NU celebrated its 75th anniversary. This plaza honors 230 ASC, who served on this campus since 1902; the first to be listed is Clementine Zerr, ASC. Clementine was a resilient Adorer, who accompanied sisters from the “Germanys” to the United States and was one of the first four sisters to come to Wichita in 1902. The plaza also displays a new bronze statue of St. Maria De Mattias with a college-age student; she is surrounded by the names of her daughters, who have served valiantly in this corner of the vineyard. Today, several sisters work or volunteer at Newman and the religious community has additional members serving on its Board of Trustees and National Alumni Board. In addition, many ASC attend events and activities on its campus.

After the Dugan Library opened in 2007, Newman waited a year before dedicating Founders Plaza with a statue of ASC founders, St. Maria De Mattias. The dedication of the St. Maria De Mattias statue was at Newman’s 75th anniversary in 2008. Bill Hopen and his son, Gabriel, of Sutton, WV sculpted this statue and several more for the ASC sisters.

Buildings

The main buildings of Newman University are all dedicated to someone important in Newman's history.

The Fine Arts Center is named after Maria De Mattias, the founder of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. Maria taught herself to write and subsequently taught those from her local area who could not afford an education. Others figures from the history of the University have also had buildings named after them at Newman, such as Monsignor Leon A. McNeill, who was the focus of Missions talks for 2013-2014. He was the first president as Newman as a College.

In 2010 Newman University unveiled plans for a new science building, to be located near the Heimerman Science Center, which were approved by the Board of Trustees in October 2013. Fundraising for the projected $30 million cost is expected to take 15–18 months.

The Gymnasium is named after the O’Shaughnessy family which has made generous donations towards Newman and were the lead donors for the athletic department. The family also supports scholarships and other buildings around campus such as De Mattias Fine Arts Hall.

The Dugan Library and conference center was named after John E. and Marilyn K. Dugan of Wichita for their donation of $2 million after the previous library was demolished.

Admissions ambassadors

These students dedicate their time to touring around campus and showing possible prospective students Newman University. This organization also demonstrates hospitality towards any guest on the campus.

Campus activities board

CAB is the Campus Activities Board. CAB consists of student who voluntairly joined the program to support Campus entertainment. The volunteers of the Campus Activities Board try to organize two events for students each week. These events are free for all students and mainly happen on the Newman Campus. Previous events have included things as video games night, wings night, and free ice skating or laser tag. CAB is in strong cooperation with the student government. Especially in the first two weeks of the school year (Weeks of Welcome).

Resident assistant

Resident Assistant (RA) is composed of individuals who make sure that each campus dorm is abiding to the rules of Newman University. RAs also make sure to interact with their residence and organize events throughout the year to help strengthen the dorm community. The dorms and requirements are listed below:

Carrocci Hall •Freshman priority residence hall •Suite-style living •Two residents per bedroom sharing a bathroom with another same-gender student bedroom •Meal plan required

Beata Hall •Sophomore standing and higher •Single-gender expanded suites or "pods" •Five students per pod with individual bedrooms sharing two bathrooms •Meal Plan required

Merlini Hall •Sophomore standing and higher •Single and Double occupancy suites sharing a bathroom with another same-gender student bedroom •Limited number of singles available •Meal Plan required

Fugate Hall •Available to students with junior credit standing or above and/or 21 years of age or older •Two bedroom apartments with students sharing one bathroom •Limited number of four bedroom apartments with four students sharing two bathrooms •Full kitchens (including stove and refrigerator)- Meal Plan recommended but not required

Student government association

The Student Government Association (SGA) represents the whole student population at Newman University. Their main focus is to find ways in which to better the experience of students while they attend Newman University.

Campus ministers

Campus Ministers offer spiritual activities. Campus Ministers also help with Catholic services on campus grounds.

Service scholars

In 2013 Newman was awarded the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the fourth time. The honor roll is based on community service performed the previous year. Every year Newman students log over 200,000 hours of service; ranging from helping underprivileged children, blood drives, holiday season toy and food drives, and an annual trip to Crownpoint, N.M. Students also regularly help out around the Wichita community at places such as the Lord’s Diner, local hospitals, schools, homeless shelters, and many more.

Many of the scholarships awarded at Newman have an annual community service requirement. The three main scholarships awarded with these requirements are ASC Community Leader, Cardinal Newman, and the Presidential Scholarship.

Scholarships

At Newman the Cardinal Newman Scholarship is the highest academic award offered. The requirements include: 4.0 high school GPA, 30+ ACT, 64 community service hours annually, and 3.4 cumulative GPA while at Newman.

The Presidential Scholarship is $12,000 annually and awarded for high academic achievement. The requirements include: 3.8-3.9 high school GPA, 28-29 ACT, 64 community service hours annually, and must maintain 3.25 cumulative GPA while at Newman.

The ASC Community Leader Scholarship is working to keep the mission of Newman and the mission of the founders, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, strong in the Newman community. ASC scholars participate in service and leadership classes as well as complete 90 hours of community service. The requirements include: 3.0 high school GPA, outstanding community service, interview, 90 hours community service annually, 4 years of service classes. Seniors are required to organize a Capstone project that consist of 45 hours (from the 90 hours) of community service.

Athletics

Newman University athletic teams are known as the Jets. The university is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and competes at the Division II level in the Heartland Conference. The Jets formerly competed in the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) until the end of the 2005-06 season. Newman University introduced their new mascot, “Johnny Jet” in September 2010.

Alumni

Faculty and staff