Rockhurst News

Rockhurst University President the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., announced today that he plans to step down from his role following the close of this academic year, June 30, 2022, after completing his 16^th year as president.

Fr. Curran, a member of the Society of Jesus (a religious order of Catholic priests best known as the Jesuits), plans to take a sabbatical following his tenure to prepare for his next assignment. Details will be shared with the Rockhurst community when those plans are finalized.

Sedgwick Hall will not reopen for approximately another year.

But a very important piece of the renovated building was prepared on Wednesday, with a bit of a personal touch. The final structural beam for the project was made available for members of the Rockhurst University community — students, faculty, staff and construction crew — to sign their names.

For more than half a century, the statue of Mary has been a fixture of the northeastern portion of the Kinerk Commons.

Beneath a canopy of evergreens, flanked by Adirondacks, the statue has been a social as well as spiritual center of campus, hosting conversations and an annual May Crowning.

A groundbreaking is expected soon on a new home for the Mary statue designed to ensure this campus icon will continue to serve as a beacon for those looking for a moment of calm.

The Jewish Community Relations Bureau has announced it will honor Rockhurst University President the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., with its Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award at its annual Human Relations Event on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021.

Fr. Curran will be the first member of the clergy to receive the prestigious award in recognition for his work pursuing equity on campus and throughout the Kansas City community, according to JCRB leaders.

More than 40 years ago, curators from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art helped Rockhurst University choose pieces of significance for what was then a new collection of religious art to be housed on campus.

Now, some of the very pieces from that collection will grace the walls at Kansas City’s premier art museum for the next year.

Plans for the next campus improvement project are quickly taking shape and feature a more prominent entrance from one of Kansas City’s most scenic boulevards – The Paseo.

Rockhurst University President the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., met virtually Wednesday with members of Missouri’s federal congressional delegation with a simple message — double the Pell.

The next full-scale Rockhurst University Leaders Series event, with national speakers, will have to wait for another time as the world continues to recover from the pandemic.

This fall, students will notice some changes to the Thomas More Dining Room in Massman Hall. Emphasis on the “More.”

The campus dining hall is getting a complete remodel this summer, aimed not only at expanding the space to accommodate more diners during peak times, but to expand the available options for students, faculty and staff.

"In our time, when day by day humanity is being drawn closer together, and the ties between different peoples are becoming stronger the Church examines more closely her relationship to non-Christian religions.