Gary Dierks, ’90 knows how important scholarships and financial assistance are to college students.  His decision to attend Rockhurst University was largely influenced by his acceptance into the Cooperative Education program, enabling him to work at Sutherland Lumber Company while going to college.  Through varied educational and on-the-job experiences, Dierks received a solid foundation in business, teaching him how to handle business responsibilities in his career.

Today, as the Business Manager for Anchor Packaging in St. Louis, Missouri, Dierks credits Rockhurst for his keen analytical mindset in making business decisions.  “Rockhurst helped me to frame things in a sense of less what the current is and more of what it can become in time.  It also instilled a greater sense of community involvement in me as well as a greater understanding of what is important to each of us in our daily lives.”

A strong proponent of Catholic, Jesuit higher education, Dierks established the Gary A. Dierks Family Scholarship to continue the rich tradition of educating men and women in the Rockhurst tradition.  He grows this perpetually endowed scholarship fund through monthly credit card gifts to Rockhurst.

To encourage others to financially support the University, Dierks asks alumni, parents and friends to reflect on past Rockhurst experiences and what motivated their families to choose a Jesuit education.  “I ask them to reflect on the impact and difference their Jesuit education has had on their lives, and if they value it, help to pass it along to the next generation.”    < Back to Profiles