Every incoming freshman class has a select amount of exceptional students who receive the St. Newman Scholarship, a full ride to Newman University. Desiray Cuellar is one of five students out of 47 interviewed in the class of 2028 to receive the scholarship. When Cuellar received the message, she was excited.
“I didn’t know how to react,” Cuellar said. “There were so many great applicants, I thought ‘who would pick me?'”
The Wichita East High School graduate knew she wanted to attend Newman after her campus visit. But, what stuck out to her?
“I was very impressed with how everyone interacted with one another. From students to teachers, there was an emphasis on excelling academically,” said Cuellar, a biology major with a pre-medicine concentration.
After conversations with multiple students and faculty, Cuellar learned there was more the university had to offer her than what she would learn in the classroom.
“I learned that Newman isn’t just about excelling as a student but succeeding as a person. This place seems like a family. Also, community service seems to be a big part of Newman culture, which I appreciate, because it is something I enjoy doing.”
Beyond academics and service, Cuellar will stay busy in her first year as a Jet. She was accepted into the Honors Program and can’t wait to play on the women’s soccer team.
“I am looking forward to meeting new people and making new connections,” Cuellar said.
Cuellar met some of her future teammates already.
“I was so happy to get to know some of the people who will be on my soccer team,” Cuellar said.
Cuellar is grateful for the St. Newman Scholarship and already knows how she wants to transform society.
“I want to make health care more affordable for families in unfortunate financial situations, especially because of how my family grew up,” Cuellar said.
Cuellar is ready for the next chapter in her life and knows Newman will set her up for success.
What was once considered “the icing on the cake” has become an essential ingredient in Newman University’s recipe for success, according to university leadership.
The Newman Fund, the university’s primary annual giving program, has evolved from supporting supplementary programs to becoming a cornerstone of the institution’s operational capacity, reflecting broader changes in higher education financing.
“Today, with the struggles of higher education across the country, philanthropy is now one of the main ingredients of the cake,” said Newman Vice President of Advancement Bob Beumer. “We cannot continue to provide a rigorous, faith-based education without the help of our alumni and friends of the university.”
The fund has seen record-breaking momentum this year, providing critical support for institutional aid and scholarships, equipment upgrades and maintenance needs across campus. Director of Advancement Services and Annual Giving Laura Hartley attributes this success to donors’ deep understanding of the university’s unique mission.
“Our supporters understand that in order for this university to be successful, we have to have support for the basic functions of a university,” Hartley said. “That’s what the Newman Fund provides.”
Hartley added, “They (donors) understand that Newman is a unique institution and is a shining example of how higher education can not only educate students in their chosen subject but also teach students the Catholic virtues of faith and charity enabling them to be well rounded people.”
The impact of contributions to the Newman Fund extends beyond basic operations. In one recent case, a student working three campus jobs and an additional off-campus position was at risk of leaving with just one year remaining in his degree program. Through collaboration between Sister Therese Wetta, ASC, and the financial aid office, institutional support from the Newman Fund enabled the student to complete his education.
Giving Day 2025
Looking ahead, the university is preparing for its sixth annual Giving Day on Feb. 26, 2025, with a goal of raising more than $65,000 in a single day. The event has become a community celebration that extends beyond fundraising, according to Hartley.
The fund’s success builds on Newman’s legacy that traces back to the Great Depression when the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) sisters created opportunities for students who might otherwise have been unable to afford education. This work continues today thanks to dedicated faculty, staff and students who desire a high-quality mission-focused education.
Honoring supporters
“We want donors to know that we do not take lightly the trust they place in us when giving of their hard-earned dollars,” Beumer said. “There are many worthwhile nonprofits doing amazing work. We believe our place is equally as important and want our donors to know that we use their resources wisely, efficiently and to the best of our ability. We strive to under promise and over deliver.”
For Newman’s advancement team, the fund represents more than financial support.
“Our donors are literally changing someone’s life, someone they will never meet but someone who will be eternally grateful for their generosity,” Hartley said.
As the university looks to sustain this momentum, administrators emphasize the importance of community storytelling in spreading awareness. They encourage alumni and supporters to share personal testimonials about Newman’s impact, viewing these stories as powerful tools for highlighting the university’s accomplishments.
Our donors are literally changing someone’s life, someone they will never meet but someone who will be eternally grateful for their generosity.
Laura Hartley, director of advancement services and annual giving
The university plans to launch its end-of-year campaign in December, reaching out to supporters through personalized letters and emails. Despite the busy holiday season, Hartley believes the stories of student impact will resonate with potential donors.
“We want everyone who gives to the Newman Fund to understand that their donation is so much more than a monetary gift,” she said. “It is a way for the donor to say they believe in education and want the next generation to be educated, thoughtful and faith-filled people who want to transform society.”
More ways to give to Newman University
Giving through donor-advised funds (DAF) and individual retirement accounts (IRA) are growing in popularity and are easy to establish. Grants from DAFs (community foundations, Schwab and Fidelity) allow donors to receive the charitable deduction up front for a one-time gift while making gifts to nonprofits over time. Qualified charitable deductions instruct the donor’s IRA holding company to make a gift directly to the nonprofit, bypassing the donor and any income tax that may come with it.
Please contact the Newman University Advancement team for more information.
Jenna Ju has been selected as one of five incoming Newman University freshmen to receive the St. John Henry Newman Scholarship. The scholarship grants recipients a full-tuition package renewable for four years and is Newman’s most competitive award.
“Ever since I discovered (Newman University), it’s as if I found the missing piece to my future puzzle,” Ju said.
Ju first became interested in Newman during high school; she graduated from Valley Center High School in 2024. She had a college visit in February 2023, but quickly gathered more than just information about the institution.
“When I stepped onto the sidewalk, I felt a sense of welcoming and inclusion. I felt as if (Newman) is where I belonged.”
In her application essay, Ju emphasized that the friendly and tight-knit community at Newman was a large component in her choice to attend. She cited the various clubs and organizations at Newman — “I fell in love with how inclusive they were, inviting everyone no matter who they were” — as well as the overarching collaborative spirit of Newman students that she witnessed as evidence that Newman was the right place for her.
“What makes Newman different is their animated and lively community,” she said. “I am not just getting a degree; I’ll be getting a supportive group of friends, with the opportunity to improve myself and build on my potential to transform society.”
Ju intends to major in biology with a pre-medical concentration.
She is excited to grow in her faith through the strong and supportive Christian atmosphere at Newman. Ju has been volunteering with the First United Church of Valley Center since she was young, and she looks forward to participating in the various religious services and events offered on campus.
“Newman has truly opened me up and sparked a new light in me that I never would have envisioned myself doing years ago,” she commented.
Ju will also join the Newman cheer and dance team and support the Newman Jets with performances during athletic events. She spontaneously joined the dance team at her high school during her senior year, but her commitment quickly blossomed into a large passion for the sport.
“I believe that I will fit perfectly (at Newman), bringing my vision and passion.”
For many high schoolers, choosing a college is the first life-changing decision that is completely up to them. This was the case for Grace Hertel of Forest Grove High School in Oregon, who “put a great deal of thought into where I attend college.”
When Hertel was awarded Newman University’s full-tuition St. Newman Scholarship, she took it as a sign that she was in the right place.
Hertel was drawn to Newman for its Catholic identity, stewardship through service and the promise of “empowering its graduates to transform society.”
“I see Newman University as the best place for me to attend to make a real difference in our society,” Hertel wrote in her application essay.
In high school, Hertel served as vice president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and played water polo at a varsity level for four years. She also founded and was president of the Students of Life Club, a pro-life organization led by students.
“I want to transform society at its very basic need: life,” she said. “Without life, humans have no other rights, and that is why I want to help women be able to give life to their unborn children.”
It’s this passion of advocating for the sanctity of human life that also guided her to Newman.
“I desire to have a career as an ultrasound technician, and Newman’s diagnostic medical sonography degree will enable me to help women and their unborn babies,” Hertel said.
Hertel’s list of volunteerism efforts is extensive. She supported her local St. Vincent DePaul food pantry, Birthright of Hillsboro through public outreach and built fences with Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, she served as a lector, cleaned and volunteered during parish dinners at St. Francis Church.
“Something that greatly stood out to me at Newman was the requirement of the service hours because I had yet to see that on any other school’s scholarship requirements,” Hertel explained. “This alone shows the support I will have at the university to pursue community service. I know that seeing the way other people in our society live and listening to their needs is the best way to help them.”
Even Newman University’s namesake has significance to Hertel and her family.
“St. John Newman is kind of special to my family because my parents met at Newman Retreats Center,” she said. “And well, without St. Newman, me and my seven siblings might not be here.”
Hertel eagerly awaits the beginning of her first semester as a Newman University Jet.
“I can’t wait to get involved and to see the beautiful St. John’s Chapel in person,” she added.
Kelly Lotsu-Morgan has been selected as one of five incoming Newman University students to earn the St. John Henry Newman Scholarship. This scholarship is Newman University’s most competitive and prestigious award, providing recipients with full tuition renewable for four years.
“I love the fact that Newman is a diverse university. There’s a great sense of community,” he said. “I know that not only am I going to get edified academically but I am also going to get edified on a spiritual level.”
Lotsu-Morgan’s dream fulfilled
Lotsu-Morgan, a Ghanaian native, has experienced considerable adversity in his life.
In his application essay, he described how the loss of his father pushed him to explore how technology can better connect doctors and patients to prevent unnecessary medical complications. Particularly in Ghana, there is a growing reliance on self-diagnosis and over-the-counter medications in place of formal medical treatment.
To me, Newman University is not just a university; it’s a dynamic
Kelly Lotsu-Morgan, St. Newman Scholarship recipient
community where intellectual vigor intertwines with a palpable sense of
togetherness.
He plans to major in computer science this fall, utilizing Newman’s program and applying his passion for informational technology. Lotsu-Morgan’s goal is to create a telehealth software that “will have a large database of medically proven facts that can help people with illnesses identify their woes while at home.”
He hopes that this software will make seeking medical advice and treatment much more accessible to people who previously could not receive care. Although Lotsu-Morgan is partial to the technological side of remote health care, he is also looking forward to interacting with and employing the vast biomedical resources that Newman has to offer.
Lotsu-Morgan’s dedication also extends to community service. He attended Temple Christian International School in Accra, Ghana. During his time there, he directed a community impact project where he collected monthly donations from students and distributed them across the city to disadvantaged and impoverished individuals. Lotsu-Morgan hopes to continue supporting underprivledged communities by extending the future proceeds from his software.
Finding his place at Newman
Beyond engaging with the extensive academic resources at Newman, Lotsu-Morgan aspires to contribute to the unique student and religious community. A large aspect of Newman’s appeal to him was the fact that it is a religion-based institution. He is excited to “build a more personal relationship with God” and openly express his faith.
Additionally, Lotsu-Morgan is looking forward to engaging with people from new cultures and nationalities — whether that be through song or even playing a game of soccer (called football in Ghana).
“Newman University is not merely a destination for my education; it is a driver for societal transformation — my societal transformation.”