Meet our Staff​
​

father Jeff belger
priest director

Fr. Jeff Belger has served as the Priest Director of the Newman Center since 2017. Prior to this role, he served as the Parochial Vicar at Prince of Peace Parish in Clinton (2003-2005), Priest Campus Minister at the Newman Center and Parochial Vicar at St. Mary of the Visitation Parish in Iowa City (2005-2010, 2015-2017), and as the Pastor of St. Mary Parishes in Pella and Oskaloosa (2010-2015). Fr. Jeff began his discernment to the priesthood while a student at Notre Dame High School in Burlington. After working professionally as a Program Director for the YMCA in St. Louis, MO, Fort Wayne, IN, Atlanta, GA, and Nashville, TN, he returned back to Notre Dame High School as a teacher and Youth Minister. He attended St. Meinrad School of Theology, where he earned both an MA and an MDiv in Theology.

anna kelly

director of liturgical music

​Anna Kelly joined the staff at Newman in 2023 as the Director of Liturgical Music. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Liturgical Music Fellow at Newman for two and a half years and participated in the music ministry at Newman in several ways, including being a member of the Newman Singers. A native of Marion, Iowa, Anna is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Brass Performance and Pedagogy (Trumpet) at the University of Iowa. Anna feels so blessed by her time as a student at Newman and loves that she gets to come work professionally in support of the mission of the Center.

christine wissink
director of outreach and education

Christine Wissink began working at the Newman Center in the summer of 2016 as the Director of Outreach and Education. A native of Hiawatha, IA, Christine has 20 years of experience in youth, young adult, and campus ministry and earned a Master's degree in Ministry from Loras College. In April of 2021 she obtained her Advanced Campus Ministry Certification through the Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA). In June of 2023, the CCMA recognized her for her approach to ministry and her contributions to her profession with the Fr. Robert Beloin Award: For Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation at CALLED23, the CCMA national conference. Christine is married to Tony, a native of Iowa City, and they have one son.

ann thomas
administrative and outreach assistant

Ann Thomas joined the Newman Center as our Outreach Assistant in 2021, supporting the ministries of Service and Social Justice, Graduate Student and Young Professionals Group, and the Catholic Relief Services University of Iowa Chapter. In 2024 she also assumed administrative duties. In addition to her work at the Newman Center, she serves as managing editor of the Catholic literary journal Dappled Things, and holds an MA in Russian Language and Literature from The University of Iowa.  Ann and her husband, Caine, are originally from Waterloo, Iowa. They have five children and have called Iowa City home since 1997.

kristie wert
director of operations

Kristie Wert joined the Newman Center staff as our Director of Development in March of 2022.  In spring of 2024, she accepted the position of Director of Operations. Kristie brings with her many years of experience in business and non-profit management, communications, marketing, as well as financial, project and facility management. She attended Marietta College and Bowling Green State University where she studied business management and marketing/communications.  Kristie is a mom of three plus a son-in- law and a ten year old granddaughter. Her daughter's family lives close by in Dubuque, while her sons live in Ohio.  Kristie is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and serves on the Diocese of Davenport's Stewardship Commission and the Johnson County Emergency Food and Shelter Program Board. 

mike leuck
greeter

Mike Leuck is the friendly face at the front desk providing hospitality and greeting all those who enter the Newman Center. Originally from Moline, IL, Mike has lived in the great state of Iowa for more than 40 years. He has held many jobs over the years and his favorites have been in sales. Mike loves to talk and can chat with the best of them. Stop by and see him!

joe welter
deacon

Deacon Joe Welter is a deacon of the Diocese of Davenport, and is assigned to the Newman Catholic Student Center, St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, and the Diocesan Office of Social Action. A native of Long Grove, IA, Joe is an alumnus of The University of Iowa and has been involved at the Newman Center for more than two decades. He is a civil and environmental engineer. He is married to Katie, a math and religion teacher in the Regina Junior and Senior High School. They have three children.

More Priests Who Serve at Newman

Fr. Ed Fitzpatrick
​Fr. Ed Fitzpatrick was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Davenport in 1970. Fr. Ed retired in July of 2015 after serving as the Priest Director of the Newman Center since 1984. He enjoys presiding at the Newman Center Masses as needed.
Fr. Louis Hammond​
Fr. Louis K Hammond was born on August 25, 1966 in Etsii Sonkwaa, Ghana; the fifth of thirteen siblings. Completed Elementary School in 1979. Enrolled at St. Teresa's Junior Seminary in Elmina, Ghana, where he earned G. C. E. Ordinary Level and G. C. E. Advanced Level Certificates in 1984 and 1986 respectively from the West African Examinations Council. Attended St. Peter's Regional Major Seminary in Cape Coast, Ghana, for his Philosophy and Theology studies and earned B. A. in study of Religions with Sociology from the University of Ghana, Accra, in 1991. Ordained to the priesthood on July 4, 1992 at St. Francis De Sales Cathedral in Cape Coast by Most Rev Peter Kwasi Sar pong, Bishop of Kumasi (as he then was). Since he has been ordained he has served in various capacities from Parochial Vicar, Pastor, Rector, Chaplain, and has also served as the Advocate on the Inter-diocesan Ecclesiastical Tribunal.
Fr. Ken Kuntz
Fr. Ken was born on Easter Sunday in 1951 and wanted to be a priest from the time he was in first grade! Ordained on May 28, 1977, he has served in DeWitt, Bettendorf, Blue Grass, Buffalo, Iowa City (St. Mary's for 16 years) and Clinton (Prince of Peace) for 12 years. Father Jeff and Father Ken served together at St. Mary's prior to Fr. Ken being assigned to Clinton. ​Fr Ken is now retired and loves celebrating Mass at the Newman Center.
Fr. Tim Regan
Rev. Timothy J. Regan was ordained at age 41 as priest for the Diocese of Davenport by Bishop Gerald O’Keefe on May 30, 1991.  Prior to his ordination Timothy had a successful career as an Occupational Therapist.  Following ordination he has had several parish assignments within the Diocese of Davenport and has also served as a full-time hospital chaplain in both Davenport (Genesis Hospital for 7 years) and Iowa City (University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for 10 years).  Timothy has recently retired and now remains in residence here at the Newman Center to provide ministerial support as needed.