Newman University, Wichita


Newman University is a private Catholic liberal arts university in Wichita, Kansas. It is named for John Henry Cardinal Newman and was founded by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ in 1933.

History

The college was founded in 1933 by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ as Sacred Heart Junior College. Courses were offered for women only, initially offering degrees in home economics, nursing, teaching, and secretarial science. The college added more facilities and courses during the 1950s and began accepting male students on a limited basis in 1959. The school became fully coeducational in 1965 and was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary schools in 1967. The name of the school was changed to Kansas Newman College in 1973 and to Newman University in 1998. The school is named in honor of John Henry Cardinal Newman.
Founders Plaza hosts a statue of Adorers of the Blood of Christ founder St. Maria De Mattias. The dedication of the statue was at Newman's 75th anniversary in 2008. Bill Hopen and his son, Gabriel, of Sutton, WV sculpted this statue and several more.

Campus

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.

Student life

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 voluntarily 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.

Resident assistant

Resident Assistant 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 listed below:
The Student Government Association 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.
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 of community service.

Athletics

Newman University athletic teams are known as the Jets. The university is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and competes at the Division II level in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The Jets formerly competed in the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics until the end of the 2005-06 season, and the Division II Heartland Conference from 2006 to 2019. Newman University introduced their new mascot, “Johnny Jet” in September 2010.

Notable people

Alumni