Our (Brief) History as a Catholic Newman Center

2017: The Newman Center in Kirksville Celebrates 50 years of campus ministry.

Northeast Missouri State University underwent a change from a regional state college to a liberal arts college, with an emphasis on preparing students with high academic achievement, and was renamed Truman State University. They began to intentionally recruit students with strong academic achievement, as well as leadership in extra-curricular activities, from private high schools in St. Louis and Kansas City. These private high schools included mostly Catholic High Schools. The result was a dramatic increase of Catholic students at Truman State University. Our Catholic Campus Ministry has grown, from serving around 20 students in the 1950’s, to 50 students in 1960’s, to 100 students in 1970’s, to 200 students in 1980’s, to 500 students in 1990’s into 2000’s.

Administration History

1955-1957:   Director – Rev. Richard Carney

1957-1960:   Sponsor – Rev. Norbert G. Adelman, C.PP.S.

1960-1962:   Chaplain – Fr. Pau F. Bobay, C.PP.S.

1962-1966:   Chaplain – Rev. J. Leon Allred

1966-1969:   Chaplain – Fr. Luke Reichert

1969-1975:   Director – Fr. John Whiteley

1975-1978:   Director: Fr. Jim Schafer

1978-1983:   Director – Fr. John Prenger

1983-1987:   Director – Fr. Les Niemeyer

1987-1989:   Director – Fr. Les Niemeyer, Secretary – Bettie Lesczynski

1989-1993:   Director – Fr. Kevin Clohessy, Associate Campus Minister – Bettie Lescyznski

1993-1994:   Chaplain – Fr. Dave Maher, Associate Campus Minister – Bettie Lescyznski

1994-1995:   Chaplain – Fr. Don Crosby, Associate Campus Minister – Bettie Lescyznski

1996-2009:   Chaplain – Fr. Bill Kottenstette, Director – Bettie Lesczynski

2009-2015:   Chaplain – Fr. Bill Kottenstette, Director – Chris Korte

2015- 2020: Chaplain – Fr. Colin Franklin, Director – Chris Korte

2020-2023: Chaplain – Fr. Simeon Etonu, Director – Chris Korte

2023-2024: Chaplain – Fr. Boniface Nzabonimpa, Director – Chris Korte

2024-Present: Chaplain – Fr. Joseph Luzindana, Director – Chris Korte