Other Newman Awards

2025-2026 applications are OPEN.

 

 Adelante Annual Award

The Adelante Annual Award has been established with contributions from the Camarena family to Newman University.

The Camarena’s father, a second-generation Mexican-American, obtained two college degrees and went on to serve on the Salina city council and school board as a respected leader in his community. By doing so, the elder Camarena modeled the behavior that became a lifestyle for his son, who is also a proponent of education and community leader.  His son completed a master’s degree in business administration at Harvard University before joining Pizza Hut Corporation in the finance and accounting division in Lawrence, Kansas.  He was drawn to another advocate of education, his future wife, who hails from San Antonio, Texas.  She attended Wichita Southeast High School, Wichita State University and later, Harvard’s prestigious Kennedy School of Government where she earned her master’s in public policy.

Eligibility:

  • A Hispanic student.
  • A full time student at Newman University.
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0
  • Demonstrates financial need.
  • Preference will go to Hispanic transfer students from Butler Community College who are past recipients of the Adelante Scholarship at Butler.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Must complete 20 hours of community service per semester with at least 10 hours with the Wichita Hispanic community.
  • The award will be automatically renewed by maintaining a cumulative minimum Newman grade point average of 3.0.
  • Will be awarded for a maximum of four consecutive years for new freshmen who enroll full-time. Transfer students can receive the scholarship for a maximum of two consecutive years as a full-time student.

Apply - Adelante Annual Award

Armendariz Award Fund

The Jose y Petra Armendariz Award Fund was established with contributions from their family. They hope this scholarship will inspire others to continue Jose and Petra’s legacy for education and giving to others.

Jose and Petra Armendariz along with their eight children immigrated to the United States in June of 1956 with the purpose of providing an American education to their family. They made their home in Hobbs, NM, where their two youngest children were born. They succeeded in educating all ten of their children.

Jose and Petra had a strong sense of community service. Jose taught evening adult English classes and gave instructions on obtaining American citizenship. Together, they established a Hispanic council whose purpose was to fund and award scholarships to the local junior college. Three of their daughters attended Sacred Heart Academy, two daughters and a son-in-law graduated from Kansas Newman College. Three grandsons graduated from Newman University.

Eligibility:

  • Must have financial need.
  • Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Preference will be given to students who are at least 50% Hispanic.
  • Must plan to major in education, science or health science.
  • Must be enrolled as a full-time student at Newman University.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Armendariz Award Fund

Evelyn Phinney – Make a Difference Award

The Evelyn Phinney - Make a Difference Award was established in memory of Evelyn Phinney to provide financial support to students who show a strong sense of personal civic responsibility.

Eligibility:

  • Interested in, and display a commitment to, human rights
    • Must show a strong sense of personal civic responsibility and a sincere interest in promoting social justice.
  • Academic achievement:
    • Preference will be giving to students who graduate in the top 10% of their high school graduation class.
    • Involvement in extra-curricular activities.
    • Maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
  • Reputation among peers, teachers and community members for good moral character.
  • Sound work ethic as demonstrated by the student working part-time in order to help finance educational expenses.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Evelyn Phinney – Make a Difference Award

Gerber Award Fund

The Jerome J. Gerber Award Fund was established with contributions from his family to Newman University. 

Jerome is best remembered as a friend and neighbor to everyone. People of all religious faiths and ages cherished his indiscriminate friendship, his virtuous life and readiness to help and work alongside others. Jerome was well known and loved for his welcoming personality and compassionate heart as a volunteer for thirty years at the information desk at Via Christi St. Francis, while simultaneously serving for fourteen years as a volunteer in the capacity of Diocesan Director of Cemeteries for the Catholic Diocese of Wichita. His family, the Catholic Church, the unfortunate, the sick, those in mourning, priests and consecrated religious women, neighbors, friends and strangers alike were his world. Jerome J. Gerber departed this life on November 27, 2012.

Eligibility:

  • A student majoring in nursing and/or pre-med
  • A full time student at Newman.
  • Demonstrate financial need.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Gerber Award Fund

HealthCore Clinic Award

HealthCore Clinic, Inc. (HCC) began when a group of concerned citizens gathered in the early 1990s to address the disproportionate rates of illnesses affecting individuals in the local community. In 1998, the vision of its co-founders was born. The Center’s focus was on prevention, education, and wellness with a vision to “promote a healthy community” regardless of one’s ability to pay.

In 2016 an expansion allowed HCC the opportunity to facilitate a comprehensive approach to improving access to integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy, and enabling services all under one roof.

Eligibility:

  • Majoring in social work.
  • A full time student at Newman University.
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 3.2

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award may be renewable for up to 2 semesters, provided the student maintains satisfactory progress toward a social work degree.

Apply - HealthCore Clinic Award

Heck Award

The Heck Award was established by the Heck Family to provide financial support to students majoring in sociology, criminal justice and theatre at Newman University.

Eligibility:

  • Majoring in sociology, criminal justice, or theatre.
  • A full time student at Newman University.
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5
  • Preference will be giving to incoming freshman or transfer students.
  • Demonstrates financial need.

Renewal Requirements:

  • The scholarship may be renewable. Annual application is necessary.

Apply - Heck Award

Hornung Award

The award was established in memory of Les Hornung.

Les Hornung was born October 5, 1937, in Windthorst, Kansas. He always had a deep love for his faith, his church and his family. He was a friend of everyone he knew and the perfect example of a Catholic gentleman.

Attending elementary and high school in Windthorst, Les was an outstanding athlete. He attended Creighton University for one year and graduated with honors from Fort Hays State University with a master’s degree in mathematics. He married JoAnn in 1960, and they had five children. Les was employed 18 years by IBM in Wichita and was a senior systems engineer at the time of his death June 14, 1982, from colon cancer.

Eligibility:

  • A full time student at Newman University.
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
  • Preference will be given to athletes.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Hornung Award

Koch Fine Arts Award

The Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation was established in 1953 and focuses its resources on not-for-profit organizations in Kansas that significantly enhance the state’s quality of life through arts, environmental stewardship, human services, enablement of at-risk youth, and education.

Mary Clementine Robinson was born October 17, 1907, in Kansas City, Missouri. An English and French major, Mrs. Koch graduated in 1929 from Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Passionate for art and higher education, she also studied at the Kansas City Art Institute. She married Fred Chase Koch in 1932 and passed away on December 21, 1990.

Fred Chase Koch was born September 23, 1900, in Quanah, Texas. He attended Houston’s Rice Institute in 1917 where he joined the Engineering Society. In 1919, he left Rice to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he became one of the first students to obtain an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering in 1922. He originally moved to Wichita in 1925 and co-founded the Wood River Oil and Refining Co., Inc. That company is now known as Koch Industries, Inc., renamed in Fred’s honor following his death in 1967.

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be pursuing a major in Fine Arts.
  • Applicants should have a minimum Newman University cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Applicants must plan to be a full time student at Newman University.
  • Awards will be made with regard to financial need.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Koch Fine Arts Award

Koch Business Award

The Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation was established in 1953 and focuses its resources on not-for-profit organizations in Kansas that significantly enhance the state’s quality of life through arts, environmental stewardship, human services, enablement of at-risk youth, and education.

Mary Clementine Robinson was born October 17, 1907, in Kansas City, Missouri. An English and French major, Mrs. Koch graduated in 1929 from Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Passionate for art and higher education, she also studied at the Kansas City Art Institute. She married Fred Chase Koch in 1932 and passed away on December 21, 1990.

Fred Chase Koch was born September 23, 1900, in Quanah, Texas. He attended Houston’s Rice Institute in 1917 where he joined the Engineering Society. In 1919, he left Rice to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he became one of the first students to obtain an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering in 1922. He originally moved to Wichita in 1925 and co-founded the Wood River Oil and Refining Co., Inc. That company is now known as Koch Industries, Inc., renamed in Fred’s honor following his death in 1967.

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be pursuing a major in Business, Accounting, or Information Technology.
  • Applicants should have a minimum Newman University cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Applicants must plan to be a full time student at Newman University.
  • Awards will be made with regard to financial need.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Koch Business Award

Lambda Iota Tau Award

The Lambda Iota Tau (LIT) Award, reserved for students planning to major in English or Communication, was endowed in spring 1990 by the English/Communication Department of Newman University. While its official name is Lambda Iota Tau, after the national literary honor society whose campus members helped to raise money for it, the scholarship is affectionately called the Turkey Leg Scholarship.  The English/Communication Department faculty and students raised a large portion of the money for the endowment by selling grilled turkey legs at Newman’s annual Renaissance Faire. The remainder of the endowment came from the publication of the Renaissance Faire program book, the Anniversary Quilt project, and through donations of English/Communication Department faculty and friends.

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be an English or Communication Major
  • Applicants should have a minimum Newman University cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Applicants must plan to be a full time student at Newman University.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Lambda Iota Tau Award

McKenna Award

The Wilfred E. McKenna Endowed Scholarship Fund was established with contributions from Barbara Shea.

***Paragraph about donor and/or namesake goes here*** 

Eligibility:

  • Graduate Student.
  • Master's of Social Work program.
  • A full time student at Newman University.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - McKenna Award

Rodee Award

The Andy Rodee and Brenda Rodee Memorial Endowed Award Fund has been established with contributions from their family to Newman University.

Neither Andy Rodee nor his aunt Brenda Rodee had an opportunity to attend college. This award is a remembrance of their lives and the impact they made on their families. 

Eligibility:

  • A student athlete at Newman University
  • A full time student.
  • Preference will be given to applicants from Kansas.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Rodee Award

Sacred Heart Award

The Sacred Heart Restricted Award was established to honor graduates from St. Margaret Mary Elementary School in Wichita, KS.

Eligibility:

  • Graduated from St. Margaret Mary Elementary School in Wichita, KS
  • A full time student at Newman University 
  • Must be of an ethnic minority group
  • Must be a first-generation higher education student
  • Preference will be given to students majoring in a healthcare field
  • Awards will be made with regard to financial need.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award may be automatically renewed
  • Must enroll full-time
  • Maintain good standing with Newman University

Application Requirements

  • Recommendation letter needed from the pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish. Signed recommendation letter can be submitted via emailed, US Mail, or hand delivered to the Financial Aid Office.
    [email protected]
    3100 McCormick
    Wichita KS  67213

Apply - Sacred Heart Award

Sister Knoeber, ASC Award

The Sister Margaret Knoeber, ASC Endowed Award Fund has been established with contributions from an anonymous donor. 

Margaret Knoeber was born on February 13, 1931 in Spearville, Kansas. She received her early years of education in her hometown and then began her high school curriculum here at Sacred Heart Academy. While in school she made the decision to enter the religious congregation of the Adores of the Blood of Christ. And through her life, Sister Margaret Knoeber has served the Newman community with intellect and compassion as a chemistry instructor, research scientist, director of the Pastoral Ministry Program in Dodge City, Alumni Director and as a member of the university’s National Alumni Board. Sister Margaret was the initiator of the first Department of Chemistry at the college, and she established the Pre-Med Committee for which the college/university has received accolades. Students and peers alike have recognized not only Sister Margaret’s ability as a research scientist but also her outstanding capability as an instructor. They witnessed her accomplishments in the field of organic chemistry and her ability to make this difficult area understandable. She has gone that extra mile to pass on her passion for the sciences and for the entire Newman community. Sister Margaret, passed away on October 31, 2020, at the age of 89.

Eligibility:

  • A full time student at Newman University.
  • Maintains a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
  • Demonstrate financial need.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Sister Knoeber, ASC Award

Star Lumber Award

The Star Lumber and Supply Company, Inc. Endowed Award Fund has been established with contributions from the Goebel Family Star Lumber Charitable Trust to Newman University.

The Star Lumber and Supply Company established an annual scholarship program with, then, Kansas Newman College, in 1977 for the benefit of the sons and daughters of its employees.

Eligibility:

  • Full time or part time graduate or undergraduate at Newman University.
  • Recipient must be a full time active employee, the dependent child of a full time active employee, or the lawful, married spouse of a full time active employee of Star Lumber and Supply Company. The qualifying employee must have completed three (3) years of continuous service with Star Lumber and Supply Company prior to the semester awarded.
    • Dependency Defined: Dependency status is based on the definition established by the FAFSA.
    • Undergraduate Eligibility: The scholarship shall be applicable toward undergraduate degree courses for full time active employees, spouses and dependent children. Active employee may be a full or part-time student. Spouse and/or dependent must be a full-time student.
    • Graduate Eligibility: The scholarship shall also be applicable toward graduate degree programs for full time active employees only. Active employee may be full or part-time student.
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Maintain 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award can renew.
  • Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.
  • Maintain 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher

Contact the Financial Aid Office to request a paper application ([email protected] )

Steckline Award

The Wah-leeta Steckline Award was established in memory of Wah-leeta Steckline who passed away in September 2000. Wah-leeta supported Newman’s mission and always had a deep concern for the students, faculty and staff. She was a source of inspiration and energy to the Newman community. The Steckline family has continued to support the mission of the University and the need for scholarship funding. For that reason, in Wah-leeta’s memory the Wah-leeta Steckline Endowed Award Fund was established.

Eligibility:

  • Preference will be giving to new incoming freshmen students.
  • Applicants should have a minimum high school grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Applicants must plan to be a full time student at Newman University.
  • Applicants must be from Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Arkansas, Missouri, or Nebraska.
  • Applicants need to be involved in community service projects.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Steckline Award

Temaat Award

The Temaat Award Fund was established from family members to honor their loving parents. The fund is to provide assistance to students in need of financial help at Newman University.

The Temaat’s father and mother raised 6 children during the Dust Bowl days on a farm in Western Kansas. The family was faith filled with many members joining the Adorers Order. In additional they raised a son who was elevated to rank of Monsignor.

Education was also very important to the Temaat family. The Temaat’s father was on the local School Board for several years and saw each of his children graduate from High School while he was on the School Board. While the parents did not have a lot of formal education they did pass on many valuable life lessons.

Faith was the focus of the family followed closely by the importance of a strong work ethic.

Eligibility:

  • Preference will be given to students coming from Southwest Kansas.
  • Applicants should have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Applicants must plan to be a full time student at Newman University.
  • Applicants must demonstrates financial need.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Temaat Award

Victor Murdock Communications Award

The Victor Murdock Communications Fund has been established with contributions from the Victor Murdock Foundation to Newman University. The foundation's mission is to support charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational activities in the city of Wichita. The Wichita Eagle was founded and edited by Marshall M. Murdock, and it became a daily paper in 1884. His son, Victor Murdock, was a reporter for the paper during his teens, the managing editor from 1894 to 1903, and an editor from the mid-1920s until his death in 1945.

Eligibility:

  • Awarded to students interested in journalism or communications.
  • Applicant plans to work for the Newman University newspaper, The Vantage.
  • Applicants should have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Applicants must plan to be a full time student at Newman University.
  • Demonstrate financial need.
  • Letter of recommendation from an individual that can speak to the student's interest in journalism or the student's writing ability.

Renewal Requirements:

  • The fund renewal is subject to approval by Communications Department Faculty. 

Application Requirements

  • Recommendation letter needed from an individual that can speak to the student's interest in journalism or the student's writing ability. Signed recommendation letter can be submitted via emailed, US Mail, or hand delivered to the Financial Aid Office.
    [email protected]
    3100 McCormick
    Wichita KS  67213

Apply - Victor Murdock Communications Award

Weir Accounting Award

John S. Weir earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1970. He started his career as a Certified Public Accountant in 1972. He went on to become the VP of Finance at a local news station before entering the oil and gas industry in 1980 where he built and ran a successful business. He is now retired and enjoys golfing, but remains committed to helping students.

Eligibility:

  • Undergraduate student.
  • Accounting major.
  • A full-time student at Newman University.
  • Junior or Senior class status.
  • Demonstrates financial need.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Weir Accounting Award

Weir Education Award

Glenna Jean Weir earned a degree in elementary education in 1971. She began her teaching career in the Wichita Catholic School District at St. Margaret Mary where she encountered and befriended the ASC Sisters. Glenna was passionate about teaching and made a huge impact on many young lives. Glenna retired in 2006 but continued to be a teacher in life.

Eligibility:

  • Majoring in elementary education.
  • A full time student at Newman University.
  • Demonstrates financial need.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Weir Education Award

Welk Award

Tom Welk, long-time chaplain for the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, chose to establish this endowed award in appreciation for the exceptional care provided to hospice clients by Newman nursing and pre-med students and graduates. Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice has benefited greatly from the excellent training students have received at Newman as demonstrated by the excellent care they have provided terminally ill patients. Nearly everyone in our community at some point will benefit from the Newman pre-med or nursing graduates.

Eligibility:

  • Majoring in pre-med or nursing.
  • A full time student at Newman University.
  • Maintains a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Welk Award

Wichita Chapter of KSCPAs Award

Mission of the Kansas Society of CPAs (KSCPA) Educational Foundation: To fund educational programs that advance the accounting profession. The Foundation, established in 1964, achieves this mission by awarding scholarships and grants to undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty. Awarding grants and scholarship has increased awareness of the account profession to students and has helped the members of the KSCPA to establish cooperative relationships with the faculties of the colleges and universities in Kansas.

Eligibility:

  • Majoring in accounting.
  • A full time student at Newman University.
  • Maintains a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
  • Preference will be given to juniors or seniors.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Wichita Chapter of KSCPAs Award

Zakas Award

The Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund at Newman University was established through generous contributions from the Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation.

Jo Zakas' remarkable journey began when she left home at the age of 12, and by 16, she owned her own business. She went on to establish multiple enterprises.

Driven by her passion for art, Jo not only embraced the role of an artist but also took initiative in establishing a gallery, complete with dedicated studio space, to foster the growth of emerging artists.

Drawing from her own experiences, she understood the pivotal role choices play in determining both personal success and the ability to positively influence others. In line with this philosophy, the Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation actively supports local groups through grants to social service and educational organizations. The Foundation continues to honor Jo's memory by promoting success and making a lasting impact on the community.

Eligibility:

  • Students who are involved in the Fine Arts Program at Newman University
  • A full time or part time student at Newman University.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Award will not renew. Applicants must apply each academic year for reconsideration.

Apply - Zakas Award


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