Staff and Faculty Notes
Each year, Newman faculty and staff members publish and present a variety of literary, scholarly and professional works. Here is a sample of recent activity and other achievements.
Amy Arrington, Welcome Center Manager, celebrated five years as an employee at Newman as of Dec. 2022.
Alonzo Baker, Custodian, celebrated 10 years as a Newman employee in Dec. 2022.
Tomoko Bell, Assistant Professor of Biology, conducted research on live massive corals in Guam after developing an underwater, portable and environmentally friendly pneumatic drill. Her research was featured as the cover story in volume 57 of “Marine Technology Society Journal,” an international publication, Feb. 2023.
Toni Bittle, Custodian, celebrated her 15th year of working at Newman University as of Dec. 2022.
Sonja Bontrager, Assistant Professor of Spanish and Co-Director of Hispanic Initiatives, received the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award in Feb. 2023.
Zach Brake, Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Communication, was recognized as a 2023 Young Marketing Professional by the Wichita Business Journal.
Sandi Bush, Transcript Analyst, celebrated five years as a Newman employee as of Dec. 2022.
David Cochran, Dean of the School of Business & Technology, founded the Data Professionals of Wichita. He was also promoted from data analytics professor after four-and-a-half years at Newman. He stepped into his new role in Jan. 2023.
Justin Crumley, Assistant Men’s Bowling Coach, celebrated five years as an employee at Newman Dec. 2022.
Mike Duxler, Associate Professor for the School of Education and Social Work, celebrated 20 years of working at Newman as of Dec. 2022.
Victor Domingues, Head Men’s Soccer Coach, and his semi-professional soccer team, West Texas FC in Midland-Odessa, Texas, made it to the National Premier Soccer League’s championship playoffs in July 2023.
Amy Emerson ’19, Digital Content Specialist, wrote an article “Newman University’s Campus Serves as Safe Haven for Purple Martins,” which was featured in the national magazine, “The Purple Martin Update,” summer 2023.
Chris Fox, Professor of Philosophy, celebrated 18 years at Newman and received a faculty promotion in spring 2023.
Ryan Huschka ’07, Associate Professor of Chemistry, celebrated 10 years as an employee of Newman in Dec. 2022. He also presented a two-part lecture series on science and miracles at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita May 2023.
Deacon Jeff Jacobs, Associate Campus Minister, was hired by the university part time to support Campus Ministry efforts and to serve as a campus minister for athletics.
Trisha Jester, Mail Center and Course Materials Manager, celebrated five years of working at Newman as of Dec. 2022.
Mark Mannette, Associate Professor and Director of Theater, received a faculty promotion in spring 2023.
John McCormick, Professor of Theology, created McCormick & Partners, a business focused on providing resources and strategic partnerships for real estate buyers, sellers and investors in 2022.
Jeskan McGovern, Instructor/ Clinical Coordinator of the Radiologic Technology Program, celebrated five years as a Newman University employee as of Dec. 2022.
Jose Montes, Custodian, celebrated five years of working at Newman as of Dec. 2022.
Michael Mooney, SQL Systems Administrator, celebrated his 10th year of being an employee at Newman as of Dec. 2022.
Daniel Murphy ’18, Web Technology Specialist, opened his own photography studio space, Daniel Scott Films, in downtown Wichita, May 2023.
Susan Orsbon, Associate Professor of Biology, celebrated her 30th year as a Newman employee in Dec. 2022.
Joshua Papsdorf, Director of the Graduate Theological Program and Gerber Institute and Associate Professor of Theology, celebrated 15 years of being an employee at Newman as of Dec. 2022.
Myra Pfannenstiel, Director of Financial Aid, was recognized with a Regional Leadership Award by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators in July 2022.
Joshua Prilliman ’14, Director of Student Activities, stepped into his new role in March 2023.
Joanna Pryor, Director of Athletics, presented a keynote address at the Women’s Career Conference at Bethany College in March 2023.
Marguerite Regan, Coordinator of Teaching and Learning, began her new role after 17 years as Associate Professor of English.
Katherine Reynoso, Director of Multicultural Engagement and Campus Life, began her new role in March 2023.
Emily Simon ’16, Assistant Director of Campus Ministry and The Honors Program, celebrated five years as a Newman employee as of Dec. 2022, and won the 2023 staff excellence award out of more than 30 nominations.
Deon Smallwood, Groundskeeper, celebrated five years of working at Newman as of Dec. 2022.
Scott Stardy, Custodial Services Supervisor, celebrated 15 years of working at Newman as of Dec. 2022.
Lindsey Stillwell, Assistant Professor of Social Work and Interim Director of the Bachelor of Social Work Program, won the 2023 faculty excellence award out of more than 50 nominations.
Debbie Strickert, Associate Professor of Nursing, celebrated 30 years as a Newman employee in Dec. 2022.
Fariha Tanveer, Assistant Professor of Biology, published the journal article “Differential Protein Expression in Response to Varlitinib Treatment in Oral Cancer Cell Line: an In Vitro Therapeutic Approach” in the journal “Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology,” July 2023.
Matthew Umbarger, Associate Professor of Theology, published the article “Yeser ha-Ra‘ and Original Sin” inl “Religions,” April 2023.
Tiffany Webster, Outreach Student Success Coordinator, celebrated five years as an employee of Newman as of Dec. 2022.
Huachuan Wen, Associate Professor of Education at Newman, won a “Judge’s Choice” plaque for his family’s winning bao buns recipe at the Wichita Asian Festival in Oct. 2022.
Melissa Smith, Instructor of the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, celebrated 10 years of being a Newman employee as of Dec. 2022.