Commencement Activities

At Rockhurst University, Spring Graduation is a festive, campus-wide event where graduates are recognized by their school or college as a group and honorary degrees are conferred. In addition to the Spring Commencement, which all graduates are welcome to attend, each school, college, and campus holds individual ceremonies to celebrate their graduates' accomplishments. It's our goal to make this a truly memorable day for you and those who support you along the way. If you have questions or concerns not answered on this site, please contact us at graduation@rockhurst.edu.

History

Rockhurst College was founded in Kansas City in 1910 with a charter from the state of Missouri empowering Rockhurst College to grant degrees. The construction of Sedgwick Hall in 1914 allowed the opening of high school classes in 1914; college classes began in 1917. The first class to graduate from Rockhurst College was in 1921. Just as the Jesuit order grew from one man's calling into a worldwide force, Rockhurst University has grown from the dream of a small, hardy crew of Jesuits into an institution with national reach.