Alumni Awards

The Rockhurst University Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations honors accomplished alumni with awards each year to recognize their outstanding achievements, service to the community, and commitment to living out the mission and values of Rockhurst University.

The three awards given out per year are as follows:

St. Ignatius Award

The St. Ignatius Award will be given to an alumnus(a) who has made an exceptional achievement in his/her field of endeavor.

Xavier Medal of Honor

The Xavier Medal of Honor will be given to an alumnus(a) who has contributed a substantial impact of service and effort to some segment of society external to Rockhurst University, consistent with the Jesuit tradition of “service to others”.  

Faber Young Alumni Award

The Faber Young Alumni Award will be given to a young alumnus(a) who has demonstrated leadership capability, substantial indication of a commitment to the service of others, demonstration of potential for leadership/distinction in the long-term, and substantial commitment to Rockhurst University and its mission. A young alumnus(a) is defined for the purpose of this award as someone who is under the age of 40 and graduated 15 years ago or less.

Magis Award

Named for one of the core Jesuit values, the Magis Award was created by a group of St. Louis-area Rockhurst alumni and honors an outstanding member of the campus community who lives in or is from the St. Louis area.

Submit a Nomination

If you would like to nominate an alumnus/ae please take the time to fill out our nomination form. Click here.

Past Winners

2024 Award Winners

  • Amber (Krumbholz) Schreiber, ’02, ’05 MBA, St. Ignatius Award

2023 Award Winners

  • Pam Miller, '80, '88 MBA, St. Ignatius Award
  • Kaela Varberg, '12, Faber Young Alumni Award
  • John Borders, '10 '13 MBA, Faber Young Alumni Award
  • Tom Bradshaw, '64, Xavier Medal of Honor
  • Glenn, ’83 and Maureen, ’84 Heitmann, Magis Award (St. Louis)

2022 Award Winners

  • Drs. Mary and Tom, '81, Hastings, Magis Award (St. Louis)
  • Erik Petersen, '09, Faber Young Alumni Award

2021 Award Winners

  • Torre Nigro, '81, '99 EMBA, Xavier Medal of Honor
  • Melody (Schaeffer) Zorich, '12, Faber Young Alumni Award (St. Louis)
  • Annie Hart, '12, Faber Young Alumni Award
  • Reggie Thorpe, ’71, Magis Award

2019 Award Winners

  • Jeff Goering, '91, St. Ignatius Award
  • Kerm, '68, and Ellen Fendler, Xavier Medal of Honor
  • Allison Rank, '08, Faber Young Alumni Award
  • Fred, '12, and Kristin, '11, Grossman, Faber Young Alumni Award (St. Louis)
  • Steve and Margie West, Magis Award (St. Louis)

2018 Award Winners

  • Dr. John P. Murry, '55, Xavier Medal of Honor
  • Rich Shaw, '88, '92 MBA, St. Ignatius Award
  • Nick Suarez, '08, Faber Young Alumni Award
  • Sammie Fechter, ’09, Faber Young Alumni Award
  • Scott, ’86, and Kathleen, ’86, Hummel, Magis Award (St. Louis)

2017 Award Winners

  • Danny Duggan, ’14, Faber Young Alumni Award
  • Chandra Clark, ’11 M.Ed., Faber Young Alumni Award
  • Rich Teahan, ’57, St. Ignatius Award
  • Denny Rabbitt, ’64, Xavier Medal of Honor
  • Ed McKee, ’67, Xavier Medal of Honor
  • Rich Grawer, ’65, Magis Award

2016 Award Winners

  • Bridget McCandless, M.D., ’07 MBA, Xavier Medal of Honor
  • Gerard “Jerry” Meiners, ’59, St. Ignatius Award
  • Chadwick Andrews, ’11, Faber Young Alumni Award
  • Rick Sullivan, ’73, Magis Award

2015 Award Winners

  • David Harrison, ’81, St. Ignatius Award
  • Jerry Haake, ’70, Xavier Medal of Honor
  • Joshua Yurek, ’07, Faber Young Alumni Award
  • Drew Felz, ’07, Faber Young Alumni Award
  • Jim Castellano, ’73, Magis Award

2014 Award Winners

  • James R. Owens Jr., ’72, St. Ignatius Award
  • Pasquale Trozzolo, ’75, St. Ignatius Award
  • Betsy Vander Velde, ’88 executive MBA, Xavier Medal of Honor
  • Patrick Wank, ’05, ’06 MBA, Faber Young Alumni Award
  • The Rev. Robert Weiss, S.J., Magis Award

2013 Award Winners

  • Paul Carden, ’80, Xavier Medal of Honor
  • Gary Belske, ’77, St. Ignatius Award
  • Tom Sack, ’80, St. Ignatius Award
  • Daniel Holmes, ’07, Faber Young Alumni Award
  • Tony Tocco, Magis Award

2012 Award Winners

  • Tom Coppinger, ’58, Xavier Medal of Honor
  • Judith Horan, ’86, St. Ignatius Award
  • Tom Hastings, ‘81, St. Ignatius Award
  • Kara Bemboom-Grefrath, ’02, Faber Young Alumni Award