Newman University Alumni

Fellow Jets, meet one of our own! Sister Janet Rowley '64, '69 was honored this spring with the Beata Netemeyer Service Award — and her story is a reminder of what a Newman education can inspire. Over six decades of service as an ASC sister, teacher, hospital chaplain, and community advocate, Sister Janet has lived out the mission that began right here on our campus. She even lives on campus today, welcoming current Newman students into her home throughout the year.

"The ordinary life can be extraordinary." — Sister Janet Rowley '64, '69

Find the story: https://bit.ly/4wSocHT

To our Newman alumni family — we lost a true friend of our university. Rosalie (Schmidt) Goebel passed away July 14, 2026, at 88 years old. Her life was one of extraordinary faith and quiet, steadfast generosity.

If you walked the halls of Ryan Library, played on the fields at McCarthy Baseball Field, or benefited from a Goebel scholarship — you've been touched by Rosalie and Bob's love for Newman. Their family's support stretches back nearly half a century, and in 2016, Newman was proud to honor them both with the Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.

"She believed deeply in serving others and quietly dedicated countless hours to helping those in need."

We pray for the repose of Rosalie's soul, and we hold her husband Bob, daughter Gretchen, grandchildren Robert and Mathilda, and all who grieve her in our prayers.

Rosary will be 7:00 pm, Tuesday, July 28, 2026; Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, both at Christ the King Catholic Church. Learn more//downingandlahey.com/obits/rosalie-schmidt-goebel/

Think back to the professor who challenged you to think bigger, work harder or believe in yourself.

For many Jets, that person was someone like Dr. Larry Heck, Dr. Surendra Singh, Sister Tarcisia Roths or another Newman educator who invested in students far beyond the classroom.

A gift to the Newman Fund in their honor is a meaningful way to celebrate their lasting impact.

Give today: https://newmanu.edu/giving

Every Newman graduate can name a professor who made an impact.

Maybe it was a challenging class, a conversation after lecture, a recommendation, a word of encouragement or someone who believed in you before you believed in yourself.

Faculty members like Dr. Larry Heck, Dr. Surendra Singh, Sister Margaret Knoeber, Sister Tarcisia Roths and countless others helped shape generations of Jets.

This year, consider honoring the professor who helped shape your future with a gift to the Newman Fund.

Donate in their honor: https://newmanu.edu/giving

Tell us in the comments: Which Newman professor made the biggest impact on your life?

Associate Professor of Accounting Patrick Nance said he was surprised to win the 2026 Teaching Excellence Award, but more importantly, he was moved by his nominators’ words.

“It just made me feel good about the fact that I actually make a difference,” he said. “It was a great feeling.”

Nance’s path to Newman began when he was hiking a 14,000-foot mountain in Colorado and received a job offer in Wichita as a certified public accountant.

“I had gotten laid off during the recession in 2008, so that (job offer) was kind of a crazy story,” Nance said. “But I decided I was ready for something different and new.”

Although he had no prior teaching experience, Nance applied for a position at Butler Community College, where he taught for six years before joining Newman University. Over the past decade at Newman, he said, his love for accounting has only been surpassed by his love for teaching.

“Doing (accounting) is great, but seeing that growth in the students — how they change, grow and learn — is substantially more gratifying than just balancing out a balance sheet,” he said.

Congratulations, Professor Nance! 🥳

Find the full story: https://bit.ly/4fMLskJ

Director of the Radiologic Technology Program Jeff Vaughn presented the radiologic technology awards to graduate recipients.

Student Marissa Granillo was recognized for scoring first place in a radiology image contest at the Kansas Society of Radiologic Technologists‘ 89th annual convention in March. Molly Brown was also recognized and awarded with the Janie Ward Clinical Excellence Award. Vaughn described Brown as someone who “never backs down from a challenge and is never afraid to ask questions,” much like the retired namesake of the award.

Student Cristina Hernandez-Reza of the Lambda Nu Honors Society, which recognizes exemplary scholarship in radiologic technology, received honor chords from Instructor/Clinical Coordinator of the Radiologic Technology Program Sherry Ewing. In addition to maintaining a 3.5 grade point average, Hernandez-Reza completed an additional 40 hours in her clinical setting, completed two service projects and became an active member of the Kansas Society of Radiologic Technologies.

Congrats, grads!

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4wACLA4

Delphine Sosu, a native of Ghana who came to Newman to play soccer two years ago, completed her Master of Social Work field placement at the International Rescue Committee in Wichita. She said the work ahead felt like a calling that she had been moving toward long before she had words for it.

“I believe that from here I’ll be able to touch a lot of lives,” Sosu said. “Be it whichever way, small or big, I’m looking forward to being a bigger change in society and the world at large.”

Congrats, Delphine!

Read the full MSW pinning ceremony: https://news.newmanu.edu/msw-pinning-2026/

Staff Excellence nominators described Video Communications Specialist James Sanny as someone who goes “above and beyond” to capture Newman’s mission through compelling storytelling as the campus videographer.

Beyond campus, he leads the Wheat State Ghostbusters, a Kansas-based group of “Ghostbusters” fans that supports charities like the Starlight Children’s Foundation, whose mission is “delivering happiness to seriously ill kids and their families.”

One student nominator shared, “When I see his videography and camerawork, I feel proud of the school that I go to. He truly tries his best, and it shows, to capture the feelings, emotions and spirit that Newman embodies.”

When President Kathleen S. Jagger, Ph.D., MPH, announced Sanny as the 2026 Staff Excellence Award recipient, Sanny said two questions flooded his mind: “How is this happening?” and “Why is this happening?”

The words of his nominators, followed by a surprise visit from his wife, Abi, and three daughters, also brought tears to his eyes.

After six years as a Newman employee, Sanny said he has learned that “there’s so much more that happens here for those who look beyond the classroom.”

“I’ve met some really incredible people in my short time here and, as cheesy as it always sounds, the community here at Newman really is different,” Sanny said. “I want our students to know that the people who work at Newman want to see people cared for. You’re safe here, you’re important here and you’re wanted here. When the time comes to cross that stage and move forward with your next chapter, I want it to feel bittersweet because you’re leaving a piece of yourself behind that will be cheering for you as you go.”

Congrats, James! 🥳

Find the full story: https://bit.ly/4fMLskJ

For 2026 Harvey J. Ablah Award recipient Thomas Munn, the most meaningful part of his Newman University experience was the network of relationships he built along the way.

“I’ve made a bunch of connections with students, faculty and staff,” he said. “I was able to have a personal relationship with (a lot of people). It’s nice no matter where I walk on campus, either I know somebody or somebody knows me.”

Munn, an accounting major, graduated with a 3.95 GPA and earned Dean’s List honors every semester, all while growing as a student leader. He served as a resident assistant for three years, co-founded the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, led the Student Government Association as treasurer and captained the varsity baseball team. He also mentored youth through St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, coached youth basketball and baseball and participated in Newman’s campus ministry events, including retreats, adoration and serving Mass.

The Harvey J. Ablah Award is the university’s most prestigious undergraduate award, presented annually at commencement.

Munn said he was surprised when his name was announced as the 2026 recipient.

“Everything I did, I didn’t do it with the intentions of winning an award,” he said. “But it’s just an honor to be acknowledged for it and that other people saw the importance I took to connecting with other people and my community.”

The recognition carried special meaning for his family. Munn’s father, an alumnus of Newman, was nominated for the Ablah Award at his own graduation ceremony.

“It’s just as much of an award for them,” Munn said. “(It shows) that the hard work they put into raising me paid off, and that they did a good job at it.”

Congratulations, Thomas!

Read the full story: https://news.newmanu.edu/thomas-munn-ablah-award/