Our (Brief) History as a Catholic Newman Center
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,…Read More
Beloved Fr. Bill Kottenstette passed away, after almost 20 years of ministry at the Newman Center. Fr. Colin Franklin was welcomed as Newman’s Chaplain the following July.
Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman, for whom our center was named, was Beatified.
After 21 years of ministry at the Newman Center, then Director Bettie Lescynski retired. A nation-wide search was held for her replacement, and Chris Korte was hired on as the new Director of the Catholic Newman Center.
The current Newman Center building at 709 S. Davis was rebuilt, opened, and dedicated in November 2008.
In 2007, the Newman Center was destroyed by fire after getting hit by lightning during a storm. The Newman Community used a small blue house on Davis Street and met for Mass on campus. Lance Llewellyn was hired as Book-keeper, to manage accounting and communication for fundraising.
By 1999, the Newman Center was too small. One Sunday, Father Bill Kottenstette saw students open the door to Newman and, finding standing room only, they left. The decision was made to add on. We applied for grants and began raising money from parents, alumni, and friends. We contacted an…Read More
In 1996 Bettie Lescynski was made Director of the Newman Center, and Fr. Bill Kottenstette was made Chaplain.
Land on the SE corner of Normal and Davis Streets was purchased in August of 1987. As of February 1988, nearly $100,000 had been pledged to the project. The Bishop then pledged a matching $100,000 from the parishes of the Diocese of Jefferson City. Total budget for the project was…Read More
After more than ten years of meeting in various locations on the NMSU campus, the Newman Club went looking for a permanent home. The two-story brick building at 414 W. Dodson was chosen for its size and location and purchased in 1967. The stucco on the outside began to fall…Read More
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
