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.
TOMOKO BELL, PH.D., ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY, co-authored a paper published in the journal “Science of the Total Environment” in March 2024. She was also selected to participate in NASA’s ideation lab held in Colorado in February 2024.
ASHTON CLARKSON, MSN, DIRECTOR OF NURSING, serves as chair of the Clinical Teaching Institute and Kansas Nurse Educators.
ANDI GIESEN, ED.D., DEAN OF STUDENTS, received the staff 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award.
CHERYL GOLDEN, PH.D., earned professor emeritus status for Newman and started her role as assistant professor of ancient history at Wichita State University.
YELANDO JOHNSON, ED.D., PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF THE MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM, DIVISION CHAIR AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, received the faculty 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award.
ALAN OBERLEY, PH.D., ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY, earned his doctorate degree.
JOSHUA PAPSDORF, PH.D., DIRECTOR OF THE GRADUATE THEOLOGY PROGRAM, GERBER INSTITUTE AND PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY, was named dean of the School of Catholic Studies in March 2024.
MYRA PFANNENSTIEL retired in June 2024 after 30 years as director of financial aid at Newman University. She also received the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators leadership award for the Rocky Mountain Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators in October 2023.
MARGUERITE REGAN, PH.D., former English professor, became the director of teaching and learning in January 2024.
SCOTT STARDY retired from his role as custodial services supervisor after 17 years to be a caretaker for his maternal aunt in Wisconsin.
LARRY STRAUB, DBA, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, completed his 50th interview in two years with the media as a local expert in business and economics.
DEBBIE STRICKERT retired after more than 30 years as associate professor of nursing in May 2024.
DEANNE ZOGLEMAN, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC, played the title character of Dolly in “Hello, Dolly” with Guild Hall Players at St. James Episcopal Church in Wichita in July 2024.