Rev. Maurice E. Van Ackeren, S.J.

Rev. Maurice E. Van Ackeren, S.J., lived a dedicated life of loving service for God, for Rockhurst High School, for Rockhurst University, and for the Kansas City Community.  His love was contagious and inspired everyone he met to love God and to find God’s love in all things.  Fr. Van Ackeren, S.J., beloved former president and chancellor of Rockhurst University, died May 12, 1997.

Fr. Van led the Honorary Directors Association of Rockhurst University for many years.  He encouraged substantial growth in the membership, and because of his direction, the Association now assists more than 15 students each semester and provides nearly $40,000 in scholarship aid annually.

Beginning in 1998, the Honorary Directors Association will present an annual award to an individual who has lived and worked to uphold the values of Rockhurst University in a manner similar to that of Fr. Van Ackeren.

The Van Ackeren Spirit Award will be given to a person who

• is of genuine faith
• displays a sincere interest in people and the community
• inspires generosity in others
• has demonstrated great dedication to higher education
• has lived or worked in the Greater Kansas City area
• adheres to the highest standards and ethical principles
• has shown in his life’s work a dedication to the values of Rockhurst University
• is generally recognized as having made an extraordinary contribution to the people of the greater Kansas City metropolitan area

Past Van Ackeren Spirit Awardees:
2006 Elaine Bourke Lally
2005 Jerry Haake & Ray Sonnenberg
2004 Bob Miller
2003 Bob Long
2002 John McMeel & Dick Miller
2001 Bill Dunn, Sr.
2000 Byron Thompson
1999 Joe McGuff
1998 Adele Hall

“Love is shown more in deeds than in words.
Love consists in sharing what one has, and what one is, with those one loves.”
St. Ignatius of Loyola