Newman recognizes donors at first ‘Beata Benefactors Banquet’

Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. presents a statuette of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman to Via Christi CEO Jeff Korsmo, a 1933 Society member. Carrocci presented a gift to each of the attending societies’ members.

More than 90 guests gathered in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center last November to be honored for their support of Newman University at the inaugural Beata Benefactors Banquet, a special event designed to recognize and thank major donors to the university. The event also served to formally announce the new Giving Societies at Newman University.

The evening included remarks by Newman Chair of the Board of Trustees Linda Davison ’77, President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D., Vice President for University Advancement J.V. Johnston ’82, and three student scholarship recipients.

Members of the 1933 Society attending the banquet were, l-r: U.S. Region Leader Barbara Hudock, ASC, representing the Adorers of the Blood of Christ; Father Michael Simone, representing the Catholic Diocese of Wichita; Dana and Larry Fugate; and Via Christi CEO Jeff Korsmo, representing Via Christi Health. 1933 Society members not pictured are Marilyn and John Dugan; Joan Eck; Kathy and Patrick O’Shaughnessy; the I.A. O’Shaughnessy Foundation, and the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation.

Carrocci told the audience that Beata is Latin for “blessed,” which was chosen as a title for the banquet because Newman is blessed by donors’ generosity. Carrocci added that Beata is also the name of Mother Beata Netemeyer, ASC, who played a major role in the founding of Sacred Heart Junior College in 1933.

The Beata Benefactors Banquet will be an annual event at Newman.