By Sister Fran Schumer, ASC
Newman University formally inaugurated its 12th president earlier this month even though Dr. Kathleen Jagger has held the position since July 1, 2020. The coronavirus pandemic had postponed ceremonies for more than a year.
She and her husband, Jim, kicked off a week of ceremonies on Sunday, October 3 by joining us for Mass and dinner at the Wichita Center.
During the liturgy, the sisters anointed and commissioned Dr. Jagger for her work leading our sponsored ministry at a very difficult time for small Catholic colleges and universities. At lunch, Dr. Jagger shared with the sisters the provident work of God that had led her to Newman.
It is customary that shortly after a new university president begins her or his work, an official inauguration ceremony acknowledges the new position and bestows the authority of the office.
The week included many campus activities designed to give students, faculty, staff, and alumni an opportunity to meet and get to know her.
The events culminated on Thursday, October 7 with Mass in St. John’s Chapel, a lunch for special guests, and a public ceremony in the afternoon where representatives of the Church, civic community, Newman community, and other colleges and universities welcomed Dr. Jagger.
During the ceremony, Sr. Vicki, as representative of the sponsoring community, and J.T. Klaus, chair of Newman’s Board of Directors, bestowed the presidential medal on Dr. Jagger. The medal, a gift from the Adorers, has the seal of Newman University on one side and the Adorers on the other.