Rockhurst News

Since 1548, Jesuit colleges and universities have marked the beginning of their academic year with a unique tradition.

At the Mass of the Holy Spirit, faculty, staff and students at Jesuit institutions pause in gratitude for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and recommit themselves to their work and to the Jesuit core values that guide it. In welcoming the more than 150 attendees, University President Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., said the Mass of the Holy Spirit is a chance at the beginning of the academic year to remember the shared purpose of the University community.

More than 97% of the May graduates from Rockhurst University’s Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health SciencesBachelor of Science in Nursing program who took the NCLEX — the National Council Licensure Examination — passed, according to new data from the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

Data science and analytics continues to be a growing field, but acquiring the specific skills required to thrive in the field can seem daunting.

It doesn’t have to be. On Aug. 5, faculty from Rockhurst University’s College of Business Influence and Information Analysis will host a one-day SQL Bootcamp on campus, giving those looking to bolster skills in business intelligence tools a boost in their career goals and pave the path toward a degree in the field.

This fall, Rockhurst University will become part of the Bloch Scholars Program, helping pave the way to a bachelor’s degree for highly qualified area students.

The program is sponsored by the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation and the H&R Block Foundation and covers tuition and fees for promising students living in Kansas City’s urban core who demonstrate financial need and who want to earn a four-year degree but would not be considered for traditional scholarship programs.

On Saturday, May 13, hundreds of Rockhurst University students will become graduates as part of the annual spring commencement ceremony. In preparation for the ceremony, here are stories from a few of those who will be crossing the stage as part of the Class of 2023.

Each spring, students who distinguish themselves in what are considered the three main pillars of a Jesuit education — scholarship, leadership and service — are invited to become part of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honor society.

Rockhurst University has announced the dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester. This honor recognizes students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above.

Students named to the list are:

Dati Abuladze

Courtney Adams

Nate Adamson

Mia Adkins

Peyton Aerni

Abbie Aguirre

Abdi Akil

Erica Akins

Le'Bonet Alfaro

Safiya Ali

Celeste Allen

Dakota Allen

Drew Altic

Litzy Alvarado Islas

Zoe Amstutz

Morgan Andersen

Ashley Anderson

Natalie Anderson

Almost 300 graduates earned degrees from Rockhurst University during its 105^th commencement ceremony Sunday afternoon.

The December commencement ceremony was the third since the University revived the tradition in 2020. In the historic Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, graduates and the audience heard from two student speakers chosen from a list of nominations submitted by faculty and staff — a Rockhurst tradition.

If you are the first person in your family to go to college, congratulations!

Also, today is your day, as First-Generation College Celebration Day is celebrated nationally and will be recognized throughout the week here on the Rockhurst University campus.

A member of the Rockhurst University mathematics faculty has been honored alongside other local female leaders in STEM for work that seeks to inspire a love of math in young people, particularly girls and young women.

Zdenka Guadarrama, Ph.D., professor of mathematics, received the WiSTEMM Educator STEMMy Award from women’s leadership organization Central Exchange during its 9^th annual STEMMy awards ceremony Oct. 27, recognizing her contributions to STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine) disciplines through her Mathapalooza program.