10/01/2026
Sister Mary Catherine Clark, ASC, who has served on the Newman Board of Trustees and been connected to the campus for two decades, said the evening filled her with gratitude.
“For Catholic sisters in the United States, many of them started women’s colleges because there was a great need. It was more and more obvious that the church and society needed women who were well prepared to take their part,” Clark said. “Newman has always responded to help people meet their best potential. And now, we just hope that every student really understands that we’re put here by God for a higher good and greater purpose.”
Looking across the bustling plaza, Clark noted the encouragement the event provides “in a world that has many people worried,” she said.
“When you see so many people here to do good, it just gives me great hope,” Clark said. “They’re willing to give of their time, talent and treasures because they realize paying it forward makes a difference.”
Sister Patty Owens, ASC, ‘74 entered the ASC congregation in 1980 after being taught by the sisters in grade school, high school and college. She is always impressed by how much the Newman community comes together for its students, she said.
“The students certainly need our help in this time when the world is very chaotic,” Owens said. “It’s inspiring that a lot of the people who come here, including alumni, have a heart for Newman, and want to support the students and give back to the university that helped form them as a young adult.”
