Class Notes
Marriages
’06, ’11 Chasity Altis and Scott Zeckser, on June 11, 2017.
Britni Thoman and ’13 Kevin Andes, on May 20, 2017.
’14 Christina Knoeber and Darren Olivarez, on July 10, 2017.
Baby Jets
Born to ’02 Dr. Renee (Soukup) and Adam Hein, a son, Andrew Joseph, on July 14, 2017.
Born to ’04 Kristy (Hanson) and Mike Sandbo, a daughter, Rilynn Cain, on May 31, 2017.
Born to ’08 Lisa (Quaney) and Aaron Schwaiger, a daughter, in March 2017.
Born to ’11 Melissa (Winter) and ’12 Dr. Cole Gillenwater, MD, a daughter, Ava Marie, on May 20, 2017.
Born to ’15 Lauren (Susong) and Arvin Fontarum, a daughter, Aveline Elise, on April 18, 2017.
Born to ’16 Kaylee (Hines) and ’16 Ryan Jenkins, a daughter, Addison Lee, on April 21, 2017.
Notes
’38 Jean (Maher) Quaglione reached the milestone birthday of 99 years old on May 30, 2017.
’46, ’59 Marilyn Rupp, ASC, was initiated into Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society at Newman University on April 23, 2017 at the age of 88.
’58, ’ 62 Joan (Nicholas) Posch retired in May 2017 from Aquinas High School in San Bernardino, CA. Posch taught high school English.
’72 Dennis Gruenbacher was elected as the new commissioner for District 6 of the Soybean Commodity Commission in Kansas.
’72, ’98 Linda (Watson) Sabala retired in June 2017 from Newman University. Sabala was the associate director of admissions processing at Newman University. Sabala worked for Newman for 27 years. She has served Newman University in several different capacities both inside and outside the admissions office, including as the bookstore manager. Sabala’s time at Newman can be traced back even further as an alumna of the university, along with all four of her sisters and many members of the Sabala and Watson families, creating a four- generation legacy.
’86 Mark Potter retired in May 2017 as men’s basketball coach at Newman University. Potter worked at Newman University for 19 years. He is taking up a new professional title as a motivational speaker, talking about his experience fighting depression.
’87 Tad Druart took a new position as vice president of marketing at ESO Solutions Inc. in Austin, TX.
’93, ’14 Tara Dake- Czepiel started school at the University of Oxford studying IT systems analysis and design, computer software technology/technician.
’96 Dr. Katherine ’Kathy’(Vossen) Girrens, MD has been elected as secretary of the Starkey Inc. board of directors.
’97 James ’Jim’ Goracke accepted the position as superintendent for USD 376 in Sterling, KS.
’97 Ashley (Oswalt) Goss took a new position as deputy secretary for public health at Kansas Department for Health and Environment in Topeka, KS.
’97 Alicia (Morris) Thompson was appointed as the new superintendent of USD 259 in Wichita, KS.
’99, ’00, ’04 Sharada ’Janie’ (Wyckoff) Ward retired in May 2017 from Newman University. Ward was the assistant professor and clinical coordinator of radiologic technology at Newman University. She worked for Newman for 21 years.
’02 Nicholas Esterline, husband of ’03 Sabrina (Bruggeman) Esterline, was honored by the Wichita Business Journal’s 40 under 40.
’03 Jean (Lamkin) Anderson took a new position as a licensed specialist clinical social worker at Prairie View Inc. in east Wichita, KS.
’03 Kathryn Phillips accepted the position as the fifth and sixth grade language arts teacher for Lakin Middle School in Lakin, KS.
’05 Clint Stucky retired in May 2017 from Newman University. Stucky was the assistant professor of occupational therapy and director of occupational therapy at Newman University. He worked at Newman for 23 years.
’05 Kelechi Ohaebosim was elected to the Kansas Legislature as the Democratic representative for District 89.
’07 Carlos Nogami took a new position as risk manager for Latin America at INVISTA in Wichita, KS.
’08 Angela (Spitz) Shepard took a new position as a staff writer at the Gove County Advocate in Quinter, KS.
’09 Cindy Miles has been elected as president of the board of directors for Sunlight Children’s Advocacy and Rights Foundation in Wichita, KS.
’09 Dr. Katie (Grelinger) Rosell, MD completed a residency in neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in June 2017. While there she served as chief resident in her final year.
’10 Teresa Lovelady was honored as a Health Care Hero by the Wichita Business Journal.
’11 Reverend Adam Grelinger became an ordained priest for the Wichita Diocese in May 2017.
’13 Kevin Andes took a new position as assistant bowling coach at Seaman High School in Topeka, KS. He also took a new position as assistant manager at Westridge Lanes in Topeka, KS.
’13 Ashley (Harris) Evans was awarded Quality Teacher of the Month in May 2017 by Jefferson Elementary School in Independence, KS.
’13 Christy Foos started her own counseling practice called Christy Foos Private Practice in Hutchinson, KS.
’13 Dr. Erin Schmidt, DVM graduated cum laude with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She also took a position as a veterinarian at Hoisington Veterinary Hospital in Hoisington, KS.
’14 Mikala (Payne) Deck took a new position as a diagnostic medical sonographer at Newton Medical Center in Newton, KS.
’14 Christina McCleary took a new position as a fourth grade teacher at North Lawn Elementary School in Neodesha, KS.
’14 Spencer Shellhammer was the recipient of the 2017 St. Philippine Duchesne Outstanding Young Teacher Award from Bishop Carroll Catholic High School.
’15 Shawn Michaelis accepted the position as Lakin High School principal for USD 215 in Lakin, KS.
’17 Mark Carlson took a new position as a middle school English teacher at Saint Margaret Mary Catholic School in Wichita, KS.
’17 Jared Dechant took a new position as the residence hall coordinator at Washburn University in Topeka, KS.
’17 Meredith Dwyer took a new position as the assistant professor of business and economics at Bethel College in Newton, KS.
’17 Lianakay Wilson took a new position as a preschool teacher at Dr. Jerry Hamm Early Learning Center in Coffeyville, KS.
Non-degree alum Reverend John Betzen became an ordained priest for the Wichita Diocese in May 2017.
Obituaries
’38 Verena Gunzelman, ASC, on March 30, 2017.
’45 Cecelia (Klausmeyer) Keiter, on March 11, 2017.
’46 Theresa Neises, on March 9, 2017.
’48 Loretta Gegen, ASC, on Feb. 20, 2017. Gegen served as academic dean, taught in the education department, was key in starting the Pastoral Ministry program in Oklahoma City, OK and served three terms on the Board of Trustees (then named the Board of Directors) for Newman University. She spent 72 years of her life as a professed Adorer of the Blood of Christ.
Clement Seiwert, husband of ’53 Mary Catherine (Strunk) Seiwert, on April 16, 2017.
’54 Mary (Westerhaus) Kristek, on July 20, 2017.
’56 Rose (Mayer) Cox, on Feb. 11, 2017.
Thomas Mallot, brother of ’59, ’64 Shirley Mallot, on Feb. 6, 2017.
’64 Kathy (Kerschen) Borniger, on May 8, 2017.
’65 Loretta ’Susan’ (Mohr) Blanchat-Kelly, on March 29, 2017.
’69 John Suter, JD, husband of ’66, ’70 Mary (Stone) Suter, on June
2, 2017.
’70 Cynthia (Richards) Honton, wife of ’70 Thomas Honton and mother of ’80 Tamara (Honton) Sexton, on July 16, 2017.
Stella Meyer, mother of ’70 John Meyer, on Feb. 10, 2017.
Leo Borst, father of ’76 Mary Beth Borst and ’01 Kathe (Borst) Bistline, on March 27, 2017.
Kathleen Borst, mother of ’76 Mary Beth Borst and ’01 Kathe (Borst) Bistline, on April 15, 2017.
Joan Steindler, mother of ’78 Thomas Steindler and ’80 James Steindler, on July 22, 2017.
’95 Anthony Locker, on July 26, 2017.
’95 Michele Rice, on May 25, 2017.
’02 Susan Spoon, on July 11, 2017.
Daniel Connolly, father of ’10 Caitlin Connolly and non-degree alum Keely Connolly, on July 14, 2017.
Non-degree alum Denise Sevart, CSJ, on June 13, 2017.
Non-degree alum Dessie (Criswell) Cleveland, on April 3, 2017.
Friends of the University
Baby Jets
Born to Katie and Andrew Link, a son, Mason Elliott, on March 17, 2017. Katie
is the benefits specialist for human resources at Newman University.
Born to Kara and Jason Schwinn, a daughter, Hannah Josephine, on April 17, 2017. Kara is a financial aid counselor at Newman University.
Monica and Jared Borger, a son, Augustine Lee
Born to Monica and Jared Borger, a son, Augustine Lee, on April 29, 2017. Monica is the administrative assistant for Campus Ministry at Newman University.
Born to Janee and Jesse Bernal, a son, Jude Francis, on July 12, 2017. Janee is the assistant professor of education at Newman University.
Brandy and Matthew Muncy, daughter, McClain Nichole
Born to Brandy and Matthew Muncy, a daughter, McClain Nichole, on May 31, 2017. Brandy is the cheer and dance coach at Newman University.
Notes
Samuel “Sam” Borrego retired in March 2017 from Newman University. Borrego was a custodian for Newman University for nearly 10 years.
David Alexander resigned in May 2017 from Newman University. Alexander was the senior development officer in the advancement department for Newman University for 4 years. He played an intricate part in the Facing Forward campaign.
Reverend Kyle Dugan became an ordained priest for the Wichita Diocese in May 2017. Dugan is a friend of Newman University.
Reverend Andrew Labenz became an ordained priest for the Wichita Diocese in May 2017. Labenz is a friend of Newman University.
Patty Brooks retired in July 2017 from Newman University. Brooks was the admissions processing manager (U.S.) at Newman University. She worked for Newman for 21 years in the admissions processing area. Her daughters Rachel and Ashlee are Newman graduates, as is her husband, Wes.
William “Bill” Meitl retired in August 2017 from Newman University. Meitl was the director of grants
in the Advancement Department at Newman University for 4 years. He played a crucial part in the Facing Forward campaign.
Jacqueline Vietti was appointed as president to the Kansas City Kansas Community College in July 2017. Vietti is vice- chair of the Newman University Board of Directors.
Obituaries
Arthur “Gene” Aenchbacher, on February 24, 2017. Aenchbacher was a friend of Newman University.
John Clevenger
John Clevenger, on July 22, 2017. Clevenger joined the Newman University Board of Trustees in September 2013. As an executive committee member, he was very active and supported the university in many ways.
Paul Hageman, on March 31, 2017. Hageman was a friend of Newman University.
Dolores ’Mary Dolores’ (Collins) Crum, on April 30, 2017. Crum was a friend of Newman University.
Dolores ’Dee’ (Burton) Howe, on May 6, 2017. Howe was a friend of Newman University.
Virginia (Buscher) Meyer, on June 8, 2017. Meyer was a friend of Newman University.
Valeria Cisneros, ASC, on July 5, 2017. Sister Valeria professed her First Vows on Aug. 10, 1939. Occupations throughout her lifetime included housekeeper for Archbishop’s residence (San Antonio), nurse’s aide, and seamstress who made many children’s caps and clothes for charity.