2015 Ablah Awards recipients honored for on- and off-campus activity

Newman University graduates Amal Ullah and Alex Beck received the 2015 Harvey J. and Leona J. Ablah Awards for their involvement both on and off the Newman campus.

The awards are presented each year to a graduating male and a graduating female student who exemplify the mission and spirit of Newman University. The awards were established by Fran* and Geri (Ablah) Jabara to honor the memory of Geri’s parents. Recipients must have completed at least 62 credit hours at Newman and graduate with a 3.2 or higher GPA. Each student receives a $2,500 award.

Ullah, an elementary education major with a minor in art, was a member of the Newman Mission Advisory Board and the Teacher’s Club, and was an ASC Community Leader Scholar. She volunteered at a local food bank, the Kansas Humane Society, Big Brothers
Big Sisters and other organizations.

Beck, a biology major with a minor in sports medicine, was a resident assistant, student ambassador, and member of the Campus Activities Board and the Newman Medical Professions Club. He volunteered for such organizations as Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Lord’s Diner and a hospice.

Each Ablah Award recipient is asked to choose a mentor. Shown are artist’s proofs for plaques of Ullah and her mentor former Education Professor Karen Rogers, Ed.D., and Beck with his mentor former Biology Professor Casey McNeil, Ph.D.

* In July 2015, Professor Fran Jabara passed away. Read more about him at go.newmanu.edu/franjabara.