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

History

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| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; font-size:100%; background:#B32D33; color:white; border: 2px solid #051C48"| Naming history

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! Years

Presidents

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! President !! Institution name !! Years of tenure

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|Kathleen S. Jagger || Newman University || 2020–present

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| Aidan O. Dunleavy || Newman University || 2000–2006 Other 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 first president of Newman as a college.

In 2010 Newman University began construction on the Bishop Gerber Science Center which now houses state-of-the-art science labs and classrooms. The project was completed in 2017.

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.

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! Name of Building!! Function Of Building

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| Sacred Heart || Administration, Campus Ministry, Financial Aid Services, Human Resources, Learning Center, St. John's Chapel, Classrooms, and Computer Lab

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| Dugan Library and Student Center || Alumni Center, Library, Computers, Student Center

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| Eck Hall || Classrooms, Nursing Department

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| Bishop Gerber Science Center || Sciences and Lab classrooms

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| McNeill Hall || Professors Offices

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| Mabee Dining Center || Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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| De Mattias Fine Arts Center || Black Box Theater, Performance Hall, Steckline Gallery, Gorges Atruim, and Classrooms

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| O'Shaughnessy Hall || Gymnasium

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Student life

thumb|John Henry Saint Newman Statue (2013)

Admissions ambassadors

These students dedicate their time to touring campus with potential students. Those who visit to learn more about the university will interact with ambassadors for a large portion of their visit.

Clubs and organizations

Newman University has more than 30 active clubs and organizations ranging from The Multicultural Leadership Organization to a Disc Golf Club. Many students are inducted into nationally recognized academic organizations such as Pi Gamma Mu.

These communities provide opportunities for students to develop their leadership, promote awareness of issues, expand professional and personal competencies, and engage with Newman University and local communities outside of the classroom.

Resident assistant

Resident Assistants (RAs) are individuals who make sure that students living in the residence halls are abiding by the rules of Newman University. RAs also make sure to interact with their residents and organize events throughout the year to help strengthen the residence hall community. The residence halls are listed below:

  • Carrocci Hall
  • Beata Hall
  • Merlini Hall
  • Fugate Hall

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.

Athletics

The Newman athletic teams are called the Jets. The university is a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) for most of its sports as an associate member since the 2019–20 academic year (before achieving full member status in 2022–23); while its men's soccer team competes in the Great American Conference (GAC). The Jets previously competed in the D-II Heartland Conference from 2006–07 to 2018–19; and in the defunct Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1999–2000 to 2005–06.

Newman competes in 19 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, triathlon and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cheer & dance, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, triathlon and volleyball.

Mascot

Newman University introduced their new mascot, "Johnny Jet", in September 2010.

Notable people

Alumni

  • Dax (1994- ), rapper
  • Alex Ciabattoni (1994- ), basketball forward
  • Tony Fulton (1972- ), Nebraska state legislator
  • Issoufou Idrissa (1976- ), Nigerien soccer striker
  • Tom Malone (1953- ), Kansas Court of Appeals judge
  • Karen Muenster (1942- ), Minority Whip in the South Dakota Senate
  • Rick Roder, baseball umpire, author
  • Clare Vanderpool (1965- ), children's book author
  • Ponka-We Victors (1981- ), Kansas state legislator

Faculty and staff

  • Robert Beattie, lawyer, crime writer
  • Cliff Brown (1956- ), soccer coach
  • Naomi Hirahara (1962- ), novelist, editor

References

  • Newman Athletics website