By Ana Zeikidze, Staff Writer
Father Edmund “Ed” Herzog, the new chaplain at Newman University, is already familiar with the campus. Herzog is a former student of Newman, where he studied business and was a member of the golf team. He got his undergraduate degree in business in 2010, then earned his master's the following year.
Now, after 17 years, Herzog is back on campus.
Herzog’s, who was ordained as a priest in May 2017, said his connection to Newman runs deep, with his journey beginning unexpectedly when his former golf coach, Kent Notestine, recruited him. He was living in rural New York state at the time.
His best memories from his time as a student at Newman are centered around golf. He remembers that during his senior year, Newman won its first ever Heartland Conference championship. That year, Herzog and a teammate were both named to the All-Heartland Conference team.
"That was the highlight of my time in athletics," he said.
During his time as a student in 2009, he said, he had a life-changing experience in St. John's Chapel on campus. It was there that he received confirmation in the Catholic faith, guided by Father Joe Tatro, the chaplain at Newman when Herzog was a student and the person who inspired him to get serious about his faith.
Before his new assignment at Newman, Herzog served as the chaplain at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School for six years.
Herzog took over as chaplain after the departure of Father Adam Grelinger, who was at Newman for five years but left to take a position as pastor at Holy Savior Catholic Church in Wichita.
Herzog said he is particularly impressed with the vibrant community Grelinger built, with help from former Assistant Director of Campus Ministry Emily Simon, who also just left Newman.
He said he looks forward to engaging with college-age students.
PHOTO: Courtesy, Newman Today
