Five years ago, the state-of-the-art Bishop Gerber Science Center opened its doors for learning following the completion of the Facing Forward campaign.
In November 2022, donors and key stakeholders were invited back to campus to see how their donations have contributed to the progress of the science building, program updates and as well as the impact it’s had on students, faculty, staff and alumni.
“We’ve been blessed to have this building and this event was an opportunity to provide a thank you to our dedicated donors,” Senior Development Officer Conni Mansaw said. “For our phenomenal Newman supporters to actually come into our campus home and see what their efforts have produced will be beneficial both now and moving forward for our future donor family.”
Since the Bishop Gerber Science Center opened, 899 classes have been taught in the building and 593 students have graduated from Newman with a degree in sciences or health sciences.
“What is happening in this building is changing the lives of students, equipping them for future success and empowering them to be change agents in their professions, communities, families and churches,” Newman President Kathleen S. Jagger said. “Thank you all for making this Bishop Gerber Science Center what it is today.”
The appreciation reception for donors drew several key stakeholders in the building’s presence on campus, including Larry Steckline.
Steckline, a longtime donor of Newman, is a prominent Kansas broadcasting entrepreneur. He worked several years as a radio and television personality and is the owner of Steckline Communications, formerly known as the Mid-Kansas Ag Network. He and his wife donated the historical display case on the main floor of the Bishop Gerber Science Center that pays tribute to the building’s namesake.
“Bishop Gerber was the greatest friend that I had for what felt like a hundred years and I miss him tonight,” Steckline said during the open house. “I became involved with Newman, not only because of Bishop Gerber, but also because of Sister Tarcisia.”
The open house event was the first time Steckline visited the building since its inauguration. Being back in the 5-year-old educational space and participating in student-led tours “feels pretty good,” he said.
“I feel very comfortable looking at all of this, seeing the photos of our good friend Bishop Gerber,” Steckline added. “It just gives you a calm feeling inside that you were involved, that you’d made some sort of a difference.”
Your gift today or through your estate planning can make a transformational difference in the lives of Newman University students for generations to come. For more information contact University Advancement at 316-942-4291 Ext 2163 or advancement@newmanu.edu.
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