Newman University (Kansas)

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 leading to degrees in home economics, nursing, teaching, and secretarial science. In 1950, the college becomes a four-year institution and renamed to Sacred Heart College. The college added more facilities and courses during the 1950s and began accepting male students on a limited basis in 1958 in evenings and summer. 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 Saint John Henry Newman. Presidents ==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. 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. ==Student life==

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==