By Mikenna Barcelona, Staff Writer
Heritage Month is a celebration of Newman’s heritage, of founders the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, of its namesake St. John Henry Newman, and of its Catholic tradition.
The official observation of Heritage Month begins today and runs through March 4 and will include lots of different activities.
Amy Emerson, Newman’s digital content specialist, said the event will give alumni a chance to come back and will offer fun events for students and staff. Among them are several contests aimed at students.
“It gives something for everyone to do,” Emerson said. “I’m most excited for the freshmen and transfers to experience this for the first time.”
The 2024 theme is “What advice would St. Maria DeMattias or St. Newman gives to students living in today’s world?” and, starting today, students will be able to compete in a contest to create the best essay, graphic art or TikTok post that goes along with the theme. Cash prizes are on the line. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 16. Submissions should be sent to wettat@newman.edu.
The annual Newman Medallion hunt will begin on Monday and end on Feb. 9. This hunt will consist of daily clues posted at 8 a.m. on the Jet Broadcast email that will help lead people to a special medallion. The person who finds it gets $100.
Heritage Month also will include Homecoming week, which will run Feb. 25 to March 2. Some other events include Giving Day at Newman, when alumni will be asked to donate to the area of campus that matters the most to them. The Fugate Gymnasium also is hosting the crowning of student homecoming royalty at halftime of the men’s basketball game on Feb. 29
Another highlight of Heritage Month will be the annual High Tea event, which happens from 2 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center.
The annual event is intended to celebrate Newman’s English heritage and features finger foods and tea. Everyone is invited to attend, and visitors are encouraged to wear their fancy hats.
To find out more information about all the events going on, visit https://newman.edu/heritagemonth or contact Sister Therese Wetta at WettaT@newmanu.edu.
PHOTO: Courtesy photo, Newman University
