UNK’s Newman Center invites community to help shape new building plans

KEARNEY, Neb. - A major move is on the horizon for the Catholic Newman Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and community members are being invited to help shape its future.

Four public input sessions will be held across Nebraska this summer as the ministry plans to build a new facility on campus.

The input sessions come after a land swap was agreed upon by both the University and the Newman Center.

The first session is taking place on July 13th in Kearney, followed by July 22nd in Paxton, July 28th in Omaha and the final session kicks off on July 29th in Lincoln.

All sessions will be held in the evening and are open to the public.

Attendees will hear updates on the project, get a first look at design concepts, and are encouraged to offer feedback.

"It's time for a new building," said Father Neal Hock. "We've outgrown our space. It's too small and it's falling apart. The Newman Center continues to boom. We about hit 400 kids in Bible study this year. To put that in perspective for everyone, UNK has about 4,000 students, so it's about 10% of campus. And it just continues to grow. It's going to continue to grow. Our target this year, this coming year, is 600," he added.

Religious officials added that the sessions will also serve as a way for Catholics across the state to share ideas and reconnect with the Church.

UNK's Newman Center will move to a larger, more central site on University Drive which was formerly the University Residence North area where Greek-life was housed.

UNK will take over the Church's five properties east of campus to build additional school parking.

Both sides call the agreement a win-win for students.