Newman University

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Greg Lohkamp, Class of 1981 — a beloved member of the Newman University family whose love for this institution ran deep and whose impact on our campus will never be forgotten. 🕊️💛

Greg earned his business administration degree from Newman and went on to serve as administrator of the ASC Wichita Center for 17 years. He was one of the hands that built Newman's Martyr's Garden — a sacred space that stands today as a testament to his devotion to this community. He attended Newman's first Renaissance Faires as a student and returned decades later to reminisce at Party on the Plaza, saying simply: "Newman is a great institution, and one I'm grateful to have received an education from."

A true Renaissance man in every sense — manufacturing supervisor, nursing home administrator, prop creator for Wichita Grand Opera, a volunteer Santa Claus, and lavender grower — Greg lived with creativity, humor, and above all, steadfast kindness.

He is survived by his four children, four grandchildren, his partner Karen Driskill, and a community of people whose lives he touched.

Services: 🕯️ Wake Service: Thursday, September 10 | 7:00 p.m. | Sacred Heart Church, Colwich ✝️ Memorial Mass: Friday, September 11 | 2:00 p.m. | Sacred Heart Church, Colwich

View his obituary: https://bit.ly/4iRwLOW

09/09/2026

Newman was honored to welcome Most Rev. Carl A. Kemme, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, to welcome first-year students last week with a beloved campus tradition — the Mass of the Holy Spirit and Matriculation Ceremony.

“At the Mass of the Holy Spirit, we ask for wisdom, courage and understanding,” VP of Enrollment Management Michael Probus said. “Enjoy it as you begin this journey together, made by friendships that shape you, professors that know you and a community that helps you discover who God is calling you to become.”

In his homily, Kemme offered a message of encouragement for finding one’s purpose.

“You are called to carry out the mission of the Holy Spirit,” Kemme said to the class. “We’ve gathered here in the beautiful St. John’s Chapel … where I hope you come often. I hope the Holy Spirit will draw you into this place to meditate, for care and quiet … to fulfill your mission.”

Kemme reminded the students that they are entering a university rooted in a tradition that seeks the formation of the “whole person” — mind, heart, soul and body.

“May God continually pour forth his blessings and honor on you, his great love,” Kemme said. “Cast aside all your fears and anxieties, your worries, trials, tribulations … cast them on him. He truly cares for you.”

View all photos / the full story: https://bit.ly/4qZ3bci

09/08/2026

Tonight’s the night!

Join us at Newman University for the inaugural St. John Henry Newman Lecture Series featuring Dr. Kristin Collier and her address, “In Defense of Human Dignity.”

🕖 Tonight at 7 p.m.
📍 De Mattias Performance Hall
🎟️ Free and open to the public

We look forward to seeing you there!

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4hL3zsf

09/08/2026

Bekah Selby-Leach, Ph.D., has spent the past decade measuring what happens to Kansas towns when the economy shifts. She has decided the next shift — the one driven by artificial intelligence — is worth changing jobs for.

Selby-Leach, an economist who led Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research, has joined Newman University as associate director of the Newman Institute for AI & the Common Good. She is the institute’s first associate director, arriving to help build the programs it has promised to Kansas employers, students and community partners.

“My philosophy regarding the economy has always been, ‘the economy is for people,'” Selby-Leach said. “If the system is not benefiting humanity as a whole, then there is a market failure and intervention is needed. Right now, we are at the cusp of a massive market failure where incentives to displace human efforts far outweigh those to amplify dignifying work.”

That is the problem the institute was built to work on. Newman’s board of trustees established it in June around a straightforward idea: AI should serve people rather than push them to the margins. The institute is not starting from scratch.

“Over the past year, we’ve trained several hundred professionals and worked alongside companies across the region, and they have told us what they want,” said David Cochran, Ph.D., dean for AI and emerging technologies at Newman University and director of the institute.

Welcome, Bekah! 🥳

Continue reading: https://bit.ly/4yhA3Qa

09/08/2026

Newman’s Activity & Resource Fair is coming up! Join us for JET REPS: A Who’s Who at NU on September 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dugan Gorges Conference Center.

Meet campus clubs, activities, and offices, discover resources, and enter for door prizes. This campus-wide event is open to students, faculty, and staff.

09/08/2026

Two brothers. Two original plays. One exciting night of theatre.

Austin and Brenden Schwartz are Newman theatre alumni returning to campus with their original one-act plays, Chekhov and Looking for Directions.

Austin wrote Chekhov as a tribute to Anton Chekhov, a playwright known for stories that feel true to real life. Brenden wrote Looking for Directions as a clever nod to Samuel Beckett, a playwright known for theatre that can be funny, strange and thought-provoking.

See both plays Sept. 17-19 at 7 p.m. in the Jabara Flexible Theatre. It is a chance to celebrate Newman graduates who are bringing their own creative work back to the Newman stage.

Learn More: https://bit.ly/45ZEHWQ

09/08/2026

Did you know in any given semester, Newman hands out ~4,500+ donuts to students, staff, and faculty? 😋

That's because one of Newman's most beloved campus traditions is ending every week with donuts during Jet Friday! 🍩 Students can pop into the Fugate Student Center to enjoy coffee and donuts every Friday during the semester from 8:30-10 a.m.

It's a Newman thing. ✈️

09/07/2026

Students, do you want to feel more organized this semester? Join us for the Time Management Student Success Workshop on September 9 at 1 p.m. in DeMattias Hall, Room 186. Learn practical ways to plan, prioritize, and stay on track.

Registration is required! Sign up using your ACCUDEMIA account today.

Have questions? Stop by the Student Success Center for more information