Rockhurst News

It was a great weekend to be a Hawk — the annual Family and Alumni Weekend festivities brought hundreds of Rockhurst University alumni and families back to “the nest” for the biggest party on campus.

More than 1,000 visitors registered to attend one of the events on campus happening over three days. Activities included class reunions, including the 1973 Golden Hawks, the Hopkins Skip and Run 5k, the Ellen Spake Lecture Series featuring University President Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., as the guest speaker, and campus tours and events for families.

Rockhurst University earned a number of accolades for individual programs and for the University as a whole — including a best-in-area ranking — in the 2024 U.S. News and World Report Colleges list, released today.

Do you feel that?

Yeah, us too. Move-in and orientation weekend means Rockhurst welcomes about 350 new freshmen to campus. It’s always a team effort, with staff, faculty and current students pitching in to help get those students moved in and the amazing orientation team taking it from there with a weekend of activities to integrate the newest Hawks into college life and this place so many have called home.

So who are they? Let’s meet the class of 2027:

The next time you pass through Van Ackeren Hall, look up.

On the ceiling of what was formerly a mostly white entry way is a burst of blues and greens in the form of a new mural celebrating different faith traditions and the connections between them.

The new campus art is the result of a Faithfully Forward grant from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, awarded to institutions in the hopes of celebrating religious diversity on the campuses of Catholic colleges.

Sue Willcox, Ph.D., Rockhurst University’s new provost, brings a unique perspective to the job of higher education administration.

While many higher ed administrators start as faculty before joining the administration, Willcox began her career with younger students as a public school special education teacher.

Rockhurst University has announced the dean’s list for the spring 2023 semester. This honor recognizes students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above.

The following students have been named to the list:

Dati Abuladze

Lauren Ada

Courtney Adams

Nate Adamson

Mia Adkins

Peyton Aerni

Oscar Ahumada

Le'Bonet Alfaro

Sara Alghsein

Safiya Ali

Michael Allen

Drew Altic

Litzy Alvarado Islas

Omar Alvarez

Ahmad Aly

Zoe Amstutz

Morgan Andersen

There’s an ease with which incoming Vice President of Enrollment Management Mark Steinlage talks about Rockhurst University’s campus, mission, faculty, staff and student experience.

That makes sense.

“I lived it for nearly 11 years,” he said.

More than 450 Rockhurst University students joined the tens of thousands of Hawk alumni around the world as part of the spring commencement ceremony Saturday in Municipal Auditorium.

As always, the proceedings were highlighted by the perspective of two students nominated to speak on behalf of undergraduate and graduate students.

One of the Helzberg’s School of Management’s major graduate business degree programs has been recognized as one of the best in the nation, according to the 2024 Best Graduate Schools list from U.S. News and World Report.

While environmental sustainability is a global problem, many of its solutions are being developed locally.