NU welcomes to campus today Erika Smarsh, Andale H.S. junior, Andale, Ks.; Sadie Simon, Andale H.S. junior, Andale, Ks.; Landon Leiker, Marion H.S. junior, Marion, Ks., secondary education; Bernadette Leal, returning adult, Wichita, Ks., business; Laurie Ahlman, returning adult, Wichita, Ks.; Emily Redmon, Butler Comm. College transfer, Garden Plain, Ks., occupational therapy assistant; Kadie Kutschka, Cloud County Comm. College transfer, Concordia, Ks., business; Jeanett Baker, Morgan Comm. College transfer, Hillrose, Co., psychology; and Michael Woodman, Cowley County Comm. College transfer, Park City, Ks., nursing.

NU welcomes today Anna Perinchery, Blue Valley H.S. senior, Leawood, Ks., pre-medicine; Cameron Qualls, Cheney H.S. senior, Cheney, Ks., criminal justice; Shannon Murphy, Blue Valley West H.S. junior, Overland Park, Ks., pre-medicine; Patrick McFadden, Trinity Catholic H.S. senior, Andale, Ks., secondary education; and Judy Marks, Cowley County Comm. College transfer, Belle Plaine, Ks., nursing.

Newman University honored student scholars and leaders for their outstanding academic achievements and accomplishments at the 2010 Academic Honors and Awards Convocation, held April 22 on the Newman campus.

The university-wide event is presented each year to acknowledge superior performance by students, and includes recognition of honor society inductees, campus leaders, students selected for this year's Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, and top scholars in business, information technology, education, science, nursing and other academic disciplines.

Denver Shipman of Wichita received the prestigious St. Catherine Medal, which is awarded annually to a sophomore or junior who has demonstrated outstanding service to the university, and has established an excellent record for scholastic achievement. In addition to his achievements at Newman, Shipman was among only 267 college students from across the country who received the 2009 Congressional Award Gold Medal. The award was established by the U.S. Congress to recognize students for exemplary public service, personal development, physical fitness and other criteria.

The Newman Academic Honors and Awards Convocation also featured awards to several Newman faculty members, including Associate Professor of Biology Susan Orsbon, who received the Teaching Excellence Award. The award is presented each spring to a full-time faculty member who has demonstrated an innovative or dynamic approach to courses, course revisions, and teaching techniques. The recipient has the honor of speaking at the following fall and spring commencement ceremonies.

Other faculty and staff who received top awards were Payroll Administrator Jeana Scott, who received the Retention Leadership Award, International Advisor and Processing Coordinator Ami Larrea, who received the Academic Advising Award, and Assistant Professor of Social Work and MSW Field Coordinator Barry J. Koch, Ph.D., who received a Scholarship and Publication Award for co-authoring the book Guide to Psychoanalytic Developmental Theories. Director of the Western Kansas Education Center - Outreach and Assistant Professor of Education Tom Heydman, who will retire this spring, received the Sister Thomasine Stoecklein Award. In addition, Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. presented a 2010 Special Institutional Achievement Award to Associate Professor of Chemistry John Leyba, Ph.D., for providing leadership and technical expertise in the Environmental Peer Audit Program.

Student award recipients are listed below by award, with students' hometowns noted.

2010 NEWMAN UNIVERSITY HONORS AND AWARDS

STUDENT SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP

Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities
Joseph David Baalmann - Andale, Kan.
Jeffrey Douglas Cotter - Wichita
Amanda Christine Engels - Derby, Kan.
Theresa Margaret Hagan - Valley Center, Kan.
Sarah Jean Hughes - Wichita
Isaac Daniel Johnston - Wichita
Teresa S. Lovelady - Wichita
Vivion E. Moore - Towanda, Kan.
Barbara Thi Nguyen - Wichita
Christine Uyen Pham - Wichita
Dale L. Shubert - Wichita
Georgia Anne Wiggins - Wichita

Graduating ASC Community Leader Scholars
Joseph Baalmann - Andale, Kan.
Lindsay Laird - Wichita
Julianne Lane - Flora Vista, N.M.
Jessica Martin - Wichita
Jessica Normandin - Valley Center, Kan.
Amber Schmidt - Wichita
Shannon Swayne - Hays, Kan.
Miquetta White - Owasso, Okla.
Georgia Wiggins - Wichita
Loretta Yates - Tulsa, Okla.

Graduating Cardinal Newman Scholars
Joseph Baalmann - Andale, Kan.
Amy Bullerman - Lawrence KS
Jeff Cotter - Wichita
Jamie Eck - Goddard, Kan.
Amanda Engels - Derby, Kan.
Kristine Foster - Wichita
Theresa Hagan - Valley Center, Kan.
Christopher Hein - Andale, Kan.
Isaac Johnston - Wichita
Phong Le - Wichita
Kyle Miller - Derby, Kan.
Barbara Nguyen - Wichita
Jeff Rolfes - Wichita
Amy Schneider - Goddard, Kan.
Kim Wetta - Colwich, Kan.

Ablah Award Nominees
Brian Alvarez - Wichita
Joseph Baalmann - Andale, Kan.
Angie Bennett - Wichita
Cherri Gettis - Wichita
Laura Houser - Mulvane, Kan.
Kyle Miller - Derby, Kan.
Barbara Nguyen - Wichita
(Kenneth) Brandon Pratt - Derby, Kan.

Kappa Gamma Pi (Scholarship and Leadership) - Baccalaureate
Joseph Baalmann - Andale, Kan.
Kelsey Faber - Wichita
Theresa Hagan - Valley Center, Kan.
Isaac Johnston - Wichita
Barbara Nguyen - Wichita
Jeff Rolfes - Wichita
Shannon Swayne - Hays, Kan.

Kappa Gamma Pi (Scholarship and Leadership) - Graduate
Samuel Evasick - Port Ludlow, Wash.
Eric Leitzel - Wichita
Teresa Lovelady - Wichita

St. Catherine Medal
Denver Shipman - Wichita

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Social Sciences Achievement Awards
Kelsey Faber - Wichita
(Kenneth) Brandon Pratt - Derby, Kan.

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Humanities Achievement Award
Mark Greene - Wichita
Jessica Normandin - Valley Center, Kan.

Creative Achievement Award
Justin Steele - Wichita

Freshman History Prize
J. D. Betzen  - Wichita

Randall Austin Scholarship Award
Jeff Rolfes - Wichita

Joyce Suellentrop Prize for Distinguished Scholarship in History
Jessica Normandin - Valley Center, Kan.

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

Outstanding Master of Social Work Graduate Award
Kansas Award:  Teresa S. Lovelady - Wichita
Colorado Award:  Terri Ann Naughton - Colorado Springs, Colo.

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Outstanding Business Traditional Student Award
Angie L. Bennett - Wichita

Outstanding Information Technology Student Award
Sarah Hughes - Wichita

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

Outstanding Internship (Student Teacher) Awards (Wichita Sites)
Fall 2009: Amber Williams - Derby, Kan.
Spring 2009: Cody Kitzke - Wichita

Outstanding Internship (Student Teacher) Awards (Eastern and Western Kansas Sites)
Fall 2009 (Western Kansas Center):
Erica Edmondson - Cimarron, Kan.
Lavona A. Swank - Plains, Kan.

Kansas Teachers of Promise
Wichita Campus
Spring 2010: Loretta Yates - Tulsa, Okla.
Wes Cook - Andover, Kan.
Fall 2009: Kenneth Driskill - Newton, Kan.
Outreach Site
Spring 2010 semester: Benjamin Luna - Garden City, Kan.

Graduate Achievement Award
Kismet/Plains Site:
Elisabeth (Lewis) Mayhew - Kismet, Kan.
Conway Springs Site:
Lelin George - Conway Springs Kan.

Sister Vivian Miller Award
Laura Houser - Mulvane, Kan.

Sister Sylvana Schulte Award
Ruben Martinez - Dodge City, Kan.

Sister Susan Reeves Award
Pamela Brack - Spearville, Kan.

SCHOOL OF NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH

Distinguished Bachelor of Science in Nursing Graduate Award
Charles Tyler Dick - Wichita

Distinguished Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Award
Tara Swisher - Wichita

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

Outstanding Lower Classman Chemistry Student Award
Stacey Kraus - Colwich, Kan.

Outstanding Mathematics Student Award
Amanda Bean - Wichita

Outstanding Calculus Student Award
Eric Grimm - Wichita

Outstanding Senior Chemistry Student
Kyle Miller - Derby, Kan.
Amanda Engels - Derby, Kan.

Surendra P. Singh Outstanding Freshman in Biology
Katherine Castellanos - Wichita

Steve Palubicki Outstanding Sophomore or Junior in Biology Award
Katy Somes - Goddard, Kan.

Sister Claudine Axman Award in Biology
Phong Le - Wichita

ATHLETICS AWARDS
Athletic Director Award
Derek Hartnell - Kenosha, Wash.

STUDENT AFFAIRS AWARDS

Creative Initiative Award
Joseph Baalmann - Andale, Kan.

Dedication and Service Award
Allison Fox - Colwich, Kan.
Julie Schmeidler - Hays, Kan.

HONOR SOCIETIES

Kappa Gamma Pi (Scholarship and Leadership) - Graduate
Samuel Evasick - Port Ludlow, Wash.
Eric Leitzel - Wichita
Teresa Lovelady - Wichita

Lambda Iota Tau (English)
Jessica Normandin - Valley Center, Kan.

Lamba Nu (Radiologic Technology)
Jessica Danler - Wamego, Kan.
Natalie Herzog - Wichita
Crystal McFann - Wichita

Lambda Pi Eta (Communications)
Kelsey Faber - Wichita
Thomas Robulack - Toronto, Ontario

Phi Alpha (Social Work)
Tauni S. Baxter - Andover, Kan.
Angela R. Bergkamp - Wichita
Promis Nancy Cheeri Bruno - Colorado Springs, Colo.
Andrea Cline - Colorado Springs, Colo.
Rudy C. Edwards - Wichita
Debra Jean Lawrence - Colorado Springs, Colo.
Emily R. MacIndoe - Colorado Springs, Colo.
Lissa Miller - Aurora, Colo.
Laurie Moffitt - Wichita
Terri Ann Naughton - Colorado Springs, Colo.
Kathryn Pennington Cole - Wichita
Betty T. Phillips - Wichita
Sarah Blythe Pohlenz - Wichita
Lisa Renee Rader - Canon City, Colo.
Jessia J. Shaffer - Colorado Springs, Colo.
Leasha J. Strang - Salina, Kan.
Tammi Vaughn - Salina, Kan.
Kristen H. Whitney - Wichita
Denise S. Williams - Wichita
Andrea Nicole Zimmerman - Wichita

Phi Alpha Theta (History)
Mark Greene - Wichita
Rosio Ibarra-Monarrez - Garden City, Kan.
Jessica Rae Normandin - Valley Center, Kan.
Jeffrey Neal Rolfes - Wichita
Jacob H. Somes - Goddard, Kan.
Felipe Trigos -  Edo De Mexico, Mexico
Tina Wohlford - Wichita
Ronald R. Whited - Haysville, Kan.
Brianna K. Witsman - Wichita

Pi Gamma Mu (Social Sciences)
Angie Bennett - Wichita
Melody Bennett-Gelroth - Colorado Springs, Colo.
Gretchen Berns - Peabody, Kan.
Abby Bloxham - Wichita
Melina Brazil - Wichita
Promis Nancy Cheeri Bruno - Colorado Springs, Colo.
Nannette Byrne - Colorado Springs, Colo.
Mary Carrillo - Garden City, Kan.
Michelle Christensen - Garden City, Kan.
Kathryn Cole - Wichita
Anna Davis - Wichita
Joseph Duarte - Wichita
Kristine Foster - Wichita
Kristen Fowlkes - Wichita
Joshua Gilbertson - Wichita
Mark Greene - Wichita
Vernetta Hill - Wichita
Kaleena Johnson - Hutchinson, Kan.
Christin Julo - Kansas City, Mo.
Shannon Kelly - Derby, Kan.
Rachel Kowalski - Wichita
Dawn Lampe - Dodge City, Kan.
Cassandra Murrow - Strasburg, Colo.
Taylore Nguyen - Wichita
Gloria Park - Colorado Springs, Colo.
Amanda Pavlovich - Wichita
Ronald Pitts - Wichita
Shawn Rau - Garden Plain, Kan.
Jason Robben - Mount Hope, Kan.
Angela Sadowski - Sioux Falls, S.D.
Emily Slemp - Hugoton, Kan.
Tracey Small - Lebo, Kan.
Erica Stein - Gypsum, Kan.
Gilbert Still - Dodge City, Kan.
Michael Walker - Winfield, Kan.
Miquetta White - Owasso, Okla.
Erica Wittshire - Wichita

Pi Lambda Theta (Education)
Gretchen Berns - Peabody, Kan.
Pamela Brack - Spearville, Kan.
MeLisa Bryant - South Hutchinson, Kan.
Kenneth Driskill - Newton, Kan.
Danielle Gagnon - Wichita
Nicole Gold - Hugoton, Kan.
Sarah Higgins - Plains, Kan.
Cecilia Hodde - Dodge City, Kan.
Laura Houser - Mulvane, Kan.
Kaleena Johnson - Hutchinson, Kan.
Desiree Lee - Endicott, N.Y.
Benjamin Luna - Garden City, Kan.
Kelsie McMillan - Garden City, Kan.
Martha Oeding - Zenda, Kan.
Whitney Phillips - Derby, Kan.
Patrick Redlin - Wichita
Kinlee Roth - Garden City, Kan.
Amber Schmidt - Wichita
Gilbert Still - Dodge City, Kan.
Lavona Swank - Plains, Kan.
Natalie Valadez - Wichita
Setphanie Vetter - Park City, Kan.
Ronald Whited - Haysville, Kan.
Amber Williams - Derby, Kan.
Loretta Yates - Tulsa, Okla.

Psi Chi (Psychology)
Joshua Gilbertson - Wichita
Kara McIntyre - Wellington, Kan.
Jacob Somes - Goddard, Kan.
Sean Kitchen - Conroe, Texas
Kristen Meyer - Derby, Kan.
Shannon Swayne - Hays, Kan.
Megan Lowe - Clinton, Mo.
Lindsey Rangel - Wichita

Sigma Theta Tau (Nursing)
Tyler Dick - Wichita

NU welcomes Samie Byers, Friends University transfer, Wichita, Ks., pre-medicine; Lauren Speck, Hutchinson Community College transfer, Andale, Ks., sonography; Carly Detter, Pine Creek High School senior 2011, Colorado Springs, Co., nursing; Jim Croy, Seward County Community College transfer, Wichita, Ks., nursing; Allison Trumpp, Butler Community College transfer, Wichita, Ks.; and Nancy Powers, returning adult student, Peck, Ks., counseling.

Newman University recognized 18 candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the annual Nurses' Pinning ceremony held Dec. 10.

The event is a tradition in the nursing discipline that dates back approximately 130 years in the United States. At Newman, the director of the School of Nursing and Allied Health places nursing pins on graduate candidates' lapels as a symbol of their completion of the baccalaureate of science in nursing (BSN) program. The Newman pin is unique to the university, and was designed by the first graduating BSN class at what was then Kansas Newman College.

In a brief address during the ceremony, Director of the Newman School of Nursing and Allied Health Bernadette Fetterolf, Ph.D., pointed to a recent report by the Institute of Medicine with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which outlined the many changes in store for the health care community. Fetterolf noted that the future will offer many opportunities for nurses, including playing a leading role in the implementation of the 2010 Affordable Healthcare Act, more collaboration with other disciplines, and removing barriers to broaden the scope of advanced practice nursing.

"All of you will have opportunity for leadership because leadership begins at the bedside," she said. "Your challenge will be to take the knowledge and skills you have learned and integrate them into a caring and competent practice every day with everyone you come in contact with."

The ceremony concluded with the naming of the Distinguished BSN Graduate Award. The award is given to a graduating nursing student who has a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average and demonstrates an exceptional commitment to the nursing profession and involvement in the Newman and greater Wichita communities. The Fall 2010 award was bestowed upon Raymond Tomshack.

The BSN candidates for Fall 2010 are:

Wichita
Jessica Horine
Mandy Kaster
Mary Mies
William Newborn
Amber Renteria
V. Mark Rogers
Maxine Shores
Sarah Travis
Amy Weippert
Thomas Wheeler

Andale
Regan Holt

Belle Plaine
Lorna McPeek-Henderson

Derby
Amy Beran

Garden Plain
Shawn Rau

Hutchinson
Alicia Koenigs

Kechi
Leroy Gay

Maize
Raymond Tomshack

Kathmandu, Nepal
Rujita Munankarmi

NU welcomes to campus today Thomas Gain, transfer student, Wichita, Kan.; Suzy Matousek, University of Nebraska transfer, Derby, Kan., occupational therapy assistant; Amal Ullah, Peace Academy High School senior, Tulsa, Okla., elementary education; Brendan Lowden, Wichita Collegiate High School senior, Wichita, Kan., biology; and Carlos Williams, Bethany College transfer, Wichita, Kan., business studies.

NU welcomes to campus today Jake Hattabaugh, Andale High School, deciding, and Jamilla Foreman-Davenport, Heights High School Graduate, sonography.

Nine Newman University senior students who applied for admission to medical school were recently notified that they have been accepted. The event marks a record for the number of students from Newman University to be accepted in the same academic year.

Seven of the students — Jesse Gray, Nicholas Ojile, Anna Scheuffele, Christopher Stanley, Cole Gillenwater, Caleb McCormick, and Cooper Stewart — will begin their studies at the University of Kansas School of Medicine next fall. Senior T.V. Nguyen was accepted by the Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker, Colo. Chad Michler was accepted in the biomedical sciences program at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, Mo., which leads to the doctor of osteopathic medicine program there.

"It is a record, but one that we anticipate will be broken several times in the next few years," said Newman Professor of Chemistry and Dean of Undergraduate Studies David Shubert, Ph.D. "We have a very promising group of younger students."

The nine students are the latest example of a long-standing tradition of excellence for the Newman pre-medical program. Over the past 10 years, 96 percent of Newman students who successfully completed the university's pre-med program and received positive recommendation from Newman's Pre-medical Committee have been accepted into medical schools.

Shubert said the high success rate can be attributed to several factors, including high motivation and commitment by students, and a dedication to learning by the Newman faculty. He added that the Newman Pre-medical Committee attends the conference of pre-medical advisors at the University of Kansas School of Medicine each year to stay abreast of current trends and developments in medical schools. The committee also invites KU's assistant dean of admissions to Newman to meet with pre-med students.

"All Newman pre-med students 'shadow' a physician or receive hands-on time with a physician or hospital to get an accurate look at what the profession entails," Shubert added. "The student Pre-Medical Club and Pre-Health Professionals Club also play an important part. These groups coordinate MCAT study groups, bring in outside speakers, and promote the spirit of cooperation that distinguishes the Newman community."

"I believe Newman has truly prepared me for the admission process and for medical school," said student Cole Gillenwater. "The teachers care about you and they want to see you achieve. It is one of the best feelings to continue your dream and it wouldn't have been possible without Newman and all of the pre-med teachers."

The nine students are listed below by hometown.

Andale, Kan.:
Nicholas Ojile

Bel Aire, Kan.:
T.V. Nguyen

Benton, Kan.:
Caleb McCormick

Goddard, Kan.:
Christopher Stanley

Kechi, Kan.:
Chad Micheler

Wichita, Kan.:
Cole Gillenwater
Jesse Gray
Anna Scheuffele
Cooper Stewart

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Andale, Kan., native Brice Albert was the featured speaker at the Newman University Scholarship Luncheon April 16 in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center on the Newman campus. The annual event brings together Newman scholarship recipients and donors who help make the scholarships possible. Albert, a junior at Newman with a dual major of biology and biochemistry, is a recipient of the ASC Community Leader Scholarship and the Presidential Scholarship.

Graduates of health care-related programs at Newman University have generated some impressive results over the past year.

Newman officials were notified recently that for the year ending Dec. 31, 2011, graduates of the Newman nursing program had a pass rate of 96.36 percent - the highest pass rate from among all first-time registered nurse candidates educated in Kansas on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses.

The Newman student pass rate was more than 10 percentage points higher than the Kansas pass rate of 85.88 - an average of all nursing programs in the state - and almost 9 points higher than the national average pass rate of 87.89 percent.

In addition, a record 10 Newman University students who applied for admission to medical schools were accepted this year, three students have been accepted into pharmacy schools, two were accepted into dental schools, and one student has been accepted into a physical therapy doctoral program.

"This is wonderful news, and a clear testament to the quality of our programs, faculty and students," said Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. "Newman University has developed a strong reputation of excellence over the years for our nursing, pre-med and other health care programs - particularly for a university of our size - and this simply confirms it. I send an enthusiastic congratulations to all the students and their families for these achievements."

Newman program has proven track record
To practice nursing in Kansas, the Kansas State Board of Nursing requires that nurses be graduates of an approved school of practical nursing or professional nursing and have a passing score on the NCLEX. Kansas institutions of higher education offer 34 programs - 13 bachelor of science in nursing programs and 21 associate degree in nursing programs.

The nursing program at Newman University is highly respected in the region for its dedication to excellence and highly qualified graduates. In addition to teaching students the clinical skills required for nursing, the Newman program provides an ethical framework to help graduates meet the needs of diverse populations in today's complex healthcare environment. The number of Newman nursing graduates who pass the NCLEX on their first attempt is consistently above state and national averages. In 2009, the NCLEX pass rate of Newman nursing graduates was 98 percent.

"I have to thank the nursing faculty for their dedication to quality and continuous hard work," said Bernadette Fetterolf, Ph.D., associate dean of nursing and allied health and associate professor of nursing. "It really makes a difference."

For more information on the Newman nursing program, call 316-942-4291, ext. 2244, or visit www.newmanu.edu.

To view the pass rate results of all 34 programs offered by Kansas colleges click here. Note: It may be necessary to refresh or reload the page.

Pre-med programs recognized for excellence
The Newman pre-med and other pre-professional health care programs are also recognized across the region for their quality. Over the past 10 years, 96 percent of Newman students who successfully completed the university's pre-med program and received positive recommendation from Newman's Pre-medical Committee have been accepted into medical schools.

The latest student to be accepted into a medical program is sophomore Teresa Nguyen, who was accepted into the University of Kansas Medical School's Preadmissions Program, which facilitates students' entry into medical school.

Newman Professor of Chemistry and Dean of Undergraduate Studies David Shubert, Ph.D. said the high success rate can be attributed to the motivation and commitment by students, the dedication and expertise of the Newman faculty, and the hands-on experience Newman students gain through "shadowing" a physician in their practice or in a hospital.

"This is a terrific time to be part of the Newman University community," Shubert said. "Students, faculty, and staff all work in synergy and make this success possible. The phenomenal success of the science, nursing, and allied health students is really the tip of an iceberg, that reflects the education quality and faculty-staff commitment that every student, in every department enjoys."

Students accepted into schools are listed below by hometown and type of school:

Andale, Kan.:
Nicholas Ojile - Medical

Bel Aire, Kan.:
T.V. Nguyen - Medical

Beloit, Kan.:
Ross Kee - Dental

Benton, Kan.:
Caleb McCormick - Medical

Conway Springs, Kan.:
Emily Gerber - Dental

Goddard, Kan.:
Lon Hosey - Pharmacy
Christopher Stanley - Medical

Kechi, Kan.:
Chad Micheler - Medical

Wichita, Kan.:
Amanda Flowers - Pharmacy
Cole Gillenwater - Medical
Jesse Gray - Medical
Abby Henning - Pharmacy
Teresa Nguyen - Medical
Anna Scheuffele - Medical
Cooper Stewart - Medical

Munich, Germany
Alex Bengtsson - PT
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Two Newman University graduates of the class of 2012 have been named recipients of this year's Harvey J. and Leona J. Ablah Awards. Nicholas Ojile of Andale, Kan., received the Harvey J. Ablah Award, and Bridget Boyum of Andover, Minn., received the Leona J. Ablah Award.

The awards are presented each year to a graduating male and a graduating female student who exemplify the spirit of Newman University. Each student receives a $2,500 award.

The Ablah Awards were established by Fran and Geri (Ablah) Jabara to honor the memory of Geri's parents Harvey J. and Leona J. Ablah, and to perpetuate their vision of entrepreneurism and the American dream. The awards are presented annually to two students who are considered to exemplify the mission and spirit of Newman University, and who show great promise to make a strong and positive contribution to society. Award recipients must have completed at least 62 credit hours at Newman and graduate with a grade point average of 3.2 or higher.

Video from commencement can be seen below:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMo9c8E4b5w&feature=plcp[/youtube]

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NU welcomes these visitors on campus today!

Katie Kraus, Andale High School senior, Andale, Kan., Nursing;
Edgar Gonzales, Butler Community College transfer, Wichita, Kan., Occupational Therapy Assistant;
Jacqueline Savoie, University of Louisiana transfer, Wichita, Kan., Deciding;
Jayme Honeycutt, South High School 2010 graduate, Wichita, Kan., Criminal Justice;
Ryan McGinnis, University of Kansas transfer, Benton, Kan., Biology

Newman University 2012 recipients of the Harvey J. and Leona J. Ablah Awards were celebrated at a June 14 luncheon hosted by Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D.

The awards are presented each year to a graduating male and a graduating female student. Each student receives a $2,500 award. For 2012, Nicholas Ojile of Andale, Kan., received the Harvey J. Ablah Award, and Bridget Boyum of Andover, Minn., received the Leona J. Ablah Award.

Ablah Award recipients are asked to identify someone who has been a mentor in their lives while at Newman University. Ojile selected Science and Mathematics Division Chair John Leyba, Ph.D. Boyum named Director of Mission and Archives Charlotte Rohrbach, ASC as her mentor. Award recipients and their mentors attended the luncheon, along with Carrocci, Newman Provost Mike Austin, Ph.D., and award benefactors Fran and Geri (Ablah) Jabara.

The Ablah Awards were established by the Jabaras to honor the memory of Geri's parents Harvey J. and Leona J. Ablah, and to perpetuate their vision of entrepreneurism and the American dream. The awards are presented annually to two students who are considered to exemplify the mission and spirit of Newman University, and who show great promise to make a strong and positive contribution to society. Award recipients must have completed at least 62 credit hours at Newman and graduate with a grade point average of 3.2 or higher.

Every year, a plaque is cast honoring each Ablah Award recipient that depicts the student and his or her mentor. The plaques are displayed on the second floor of the Gorges Atrium on the Newman campus.

Eighteen students from 15 different high schools in Kansas gathered with science professors, administrators, and parents at a recent luncheon to celebrate the students' completion of the Newman University Investigative Summer Science Program (ISSP). The program, now in its 23rd year, is designed to give students a taste of college-level research and explore the benefits of careers in the sciences.

Newman University, the Fred C. & Mary R. Koch Foundation, and the University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita sponsored this year's program.

The Newman ISSP is directed by Newman Professor of Biology Surendra Singh, Ph.D., who created the program in response to a national concern about the diminishing number of young people pursuing careers in the sciences. Using a hands-on approach and drawing from the support of Newman science professors and Wichita area science professionals, the program is designed to offer students a look at the real world of scientific research.

Students choose a research topic from a provided list upon entering the program. They then follow established research methods: performing a literature search; conducting experiments; analyzing data; drawing conclusions, and presenting findings in a written paper. The students are also encouraged to enter their papers at the annual meeting of the Kansas Junior Academy of Science.

Students receive room and board and two hours of Newman college credit for completing the program.

Sophomore, junior and senior high school students with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and one completed high school science course are selected for the ISSP through an application process, which considers their high school transcript, a letter of recommendation, and a 200-word essay explaining their career goals and why they should be admitted to the ISSP.

This year's program drew students from seven Wichita high schools, as well as Andale, Andover, Chapman, Haysville, Kansas City, and Maize high schools.

For more information about the ISSP program, contact Singh at 316-942-4291, ext. 2117, or via e-mail at singhs@newmanu.edu.

The 2012 ISSP participants are listed by hometown below.

Andale, Kan.:
Joshua Baalmann (Andale H.S.)
Jordan Seiler (Andale H.S.)

Andover, Kan.:
Keri Ladigo (Andover Central H.S.)

Chapman, Kan.:
Stone Hayden (Chapman H.S.)

Colwich, Kan.:
Danielle Neville (Andale H.S.)

Kansas City, Kan.:
Kennedy Hernandez (Bishop Ward H.S.)

Wichita, Kan.:
Colin Adams (Maize South H.S.)
Clayton Bartholomew (Northwest H.S.)
Shiv Dalla (Wichita Collegiate School)
Rachel Dresselhaus (Kapaun Mt. Carmel H.S.)
Trevor Elwell-Cuddy (Trinity Academy)
Umar Hydrie (East H.S.)
Jeremy Marshall (St. Michael's Catholic Homeschool)
Vishnu Nagireddy (The Independent School)
Brandon Nece (Kapaun Mt. Carmel H.S.)
Santana Perez (West H.S.)
Jared Spencer (Maize H.S.)
Brett Werth (Campus H.S.)

NU welcomes these visitors on campus today!

Joshua Baalman, Andale High School senior, Andale, Kan., Deciding;
Kara Koloinger, Fort Scott Community College transfer, Wichita, Kan., Deciding;
Jharian Bowen, Heights High School senior, Wichita, Kan., Deciding;
Martin Roper, Platte County High School senior, Platte City, Mo., Deciding;
Michael Roper, Benedictine College transfer, Platte City, Mo., Deciding;
Jessie Gorges, Friends University transfer, Wichita, Kan., Deciding

The Newman University Alumni Association Board of Directors will host "The Newman Showcase Honors Banquet" on Thursday, Nov. 21. The banquet is designed to honor the scholastic achievements of high school senior students from around the state with a 3.5 or higher GPA, who have applied and been accepted at Newman University for the Fall 2014 semester.

The event begins at 6 p.m. in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center on the Newman campus. Approximately 185 people - more than 60 students and their parents or guests - will attend the event.

The agenda includes a welcome from Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. and from Director of Alumni Relations Sarah (Kriwiel) Cundiff ' 86, '90. Newman alumni and current students will speak during the dinner buffet. Speakers include Wichita optometrist Dajana Komadina, O.D. '08, Wichita middle school history teacher Joe Dunn '07, Newman Head Men's Basketball Coach Mark Potter '86, and current student Chase Blasi.

The event will include drawings for three gift certificates in the amount of $250 each for books at the Newman Bookstore, and other Newman items. Several banquet attendees will attend the opening night of the play "Into the Woods," presented by the Newman Theatre and Music Departments. Guests are also free to take campus tours led by student ambassadors.

For more information contact Cundiff at cundiffs@newmanu.edu.

Students attending the event are from many schools/cities in Kansas, including:
• Andale
• Bishop Carroll (Wichita)
• Cheney
• Derby
• Eisenhower (Goddard)
• Eureka
• Garden Plain
• Goddard
• Hoisington
• Maize
• Maize South
• Oswego
• Pretty Prairie
• Rose Hill
• Trinity Academy (Wichita)
• Valley Center
• Wichita East
• Wichita Heights
• Wichita North
• Wichita Northeast Magnet
• Wichita South
• Wichita Southeast
• Winfield