Newman receives financial support from foundations, agencies
Newman University has received several substantial gifts and grants from foundations and corporations over the past year in support of health care, math and science education.
This summer, Newman received a $250,000 gift from The Goebel Family Star Lumber Charitable Foundation, to support the university’s science and health care profession educational programs.
Representatives of Newman University and the Goebel Family Star Lumber Charitable Foundation met on the Newman campus June 25 to celebrate the foundation’s $250,000 gift. Pictured l-r: Newman Professor of Chemistry David Shubert, Ph.D.; Star Lumber Vice President Home Builder & Commercial Sales Dan Goebel; Goebel Family Star Lumber Charitable Foundation Board Member Bob Goebel; Star Lumber Treasurer and Foundation Trustee Jennifer Stephens, and Newman Vice President for University Advancement J.V. Johnston.
The gift is part of the foundation’s ongoing commitment to Wichita and its outstanding educational institutions, Star Lumber officials said.
“The Goebel family and Star Lumber have a long history of support for Newman University, and this latest generous gift will have a major impact for our students,” said Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D.
“Star Lumber is such a great community-minded company that we feel very blessed they continue to show such amazing support for Newman and our mission,” added Vice President for University Advancement J.V. Johnston. “We look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.”
Newman was awarded a $123,000 grant by the Kansas State Department of Education to fund its newest educational outreach program: the Teacher Inquiry into Math, Engineering, and Science Practices (TIMES*P).
Those who worked on the TIMES*P grant are, l-r: Associate Professor of Mathematics Lori Steiner, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor of Education Cindy Louthan, Ed.D.; Associate Professor of Mathematics and TIMES*P Project Director Barbara Sponsel, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor of Chemistry Alan Oberley, M.S., and grant contract worker Jolene Mainzer.
The TIMES*P project is a three-year collaborative professional development program designed to expand 3rd through 5th grade educators’ knowledge in math and science. Participants come from the Haysville, Winfield and Belle Plaine public school districts, and the Diocese of Wichita Catholic Schools.
The major goals for the project are to help teachers increase student achievement in math and science while strengthening their content knowledge in the subjects and enhancing teachers’ capacity to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education.
Although funded by the grant, the program is also supported by IBM and Westar Energy corporations. Both companies provided speakers for the program this summer, and Westar funded lunches.
Participants are provided ongoing support throughout the school year, which includes three classroom observations and feedback sessions by a project instructional coach. Teachers were also given a $1,000 stipend for participating in the program.
Representatives of Black Hills Energy Corporation visited Newman University July 9 to present a gift of $18,000 to help support nursing and science education and facilities at the university.
L-r: Newman Vice President for University Advancement J.V. Johnston, Black Hills Energy Corporation Senior Manager, Economic Development Gabe Schlickau, Black Hills Energy External Affairs Manager Monique Pope, Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D., and Director of Grants Bill Meitl at the check presentation.
Black Hills Energy Senior Manager, Economic Development Gabe Schlickau and External Affairs Manager Monique Pope made the ceremonial presentation of a check to Newman President Carrocci in the Sacred Heart Hall Heritage Room.
“Black Hills Energy recognizes the important role that Newman University plays in educating members of the Wichita community, especially the focus on the sciences and producing a workforce in the community that will have STEM skills and contribute to the economic development of the community,” Schlickau said.
See video comments from Black Hills Energy’s Gabe Schlickau and scenes from the check presentation at: http://go.newmanu.edu/bhe.
The Newman University 26th Annual Investigative Summer Science Program (ISSP) was one of the highlights of summer on campus. The two-week science program for high school students gains popularity and applicants each year.
The Fred and Mary Koch Foundation, which has regularly supported ISSP, doubled its donation this year to $20,000 to help support the program.
Newman Director of Grants Bill Meitl commented on Koch’s continuing generosity:
“The gifts Newman University has received from the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation
in support of the ISSP program have been foundational to its success,” he said. “This 20-year legacy of support is a model for how business and educational institutions can effectively collaborate to improve and advance science education in our world today.”
In addition to financial support, Koch invited the ISSP students to tour the labs and facilities of a Koch Industries-owned company, Flint Hills Resources.
The ISSP is available to sophomore, junior and senior high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and at least one completed high school science course. Students are selected through an application process, which includes a 200-word essay explaining their career goals and why they should be admitted to the program. Selected students earn two hours of college credit, as well as having the experience of living on campus.
See video about the ISSP at: http://go.newmanu.edu/iispvid.