My Story with Father

"I specifically recall a time that I expressed struggling with my faith in a season of suffering. He looked me in the eye and spoke words of wisdom to remind me that there is always a higher purpose. I distinctly remember feeling touched deep within my heart as if I had experienced an encounter with God himself."

My Story with Father

"Fr. Curran served as a mentor and spiritual guide for my husband, Ethan and I. He officiated our wedding and is always someone that we’ve looked up to. I will remember him most for his servant leadership, which he demonstrated by eating meals with students in the cafeteria."

My Story with Father

"Fr. Curran presided over my wedding- there could have been no one better! He gave a beautiful homily of personal facts and stories of my life and of my husband, whom he had only met in wedding prep. I asked Fr. Curran to be the one to say our wedding and lead us in preparation because he is so personable and caring. When I talk to him, I feel like he is truly invested in our conversation and that he cares."

My Story with Father

"At my graduation ceremony, I was asked to sing the national anthem. I was definitely nervous as the crowd would be by far the largest I had ever sung in front of. Father Curran could tell and spent his time backstage not talking to the high-profile guests, but chatting with me. I had taken his course earlier that year and he remembered so many details about me- my family, the high school I attended, the papers I had written, my major- you name it."

My Story with Father

"Father has visited us when we lived out of state, and he welcomed us back to Kansas City when we moved home. He was the only person we would even consider officiating our wedding, and he has personally blessed the births of both of our children. Aside from the fact that he was seemingly at every milestone of our lives, he has also been there with a card, or a caring word to just check in at random times as well."

My Story with Father

"Father Curran baptized my two children. It was an honor and a privilege to have him help welcome them to the church. I also would workout in weight room, in the early mornings with Fr. Curran while I was working at Rockhurst. He is a wonderful person and leader."

My Story with Father

"I am a former adjunct instructor and former Helzberg Advisory Board member at Rockhurst, and I also worked with Father Curran on community development activities. Upon the birth of each of my four young children, Father Curran sent me a hand-written card. Few people are as busy as a university president, yet he took the time to send these cards. It’s emblematic of who Father is: a genuinely good and humble man with great deal of class."

My Story with Father

"I served as the director of HR at RU from 2004-13. I sang in the Festival Singers, and Father encouraged me to let him know when they were taking place. Much to my delight, he often attended. 8 years after I left RU, he learned that my husband was ill. The very week he found out, he sent a prayer of comfort that helped us both through the health crisis. I will always be thankful for the times that he has supported me."

My Story with Father

"As alumni and newlyweds, my husband and I would use RU’s workout facilities in the morning. There were days when a very nice man would join us on the treadmills. Unbeknownst to us, this was the new president of RU. In those early mornings, we developed a friendship with Father. He brought us a lovely housewarming gift one night that hangs in our home to this day. He has made us better people, and better runners."

My Story with Father

"When I was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2018, one of the first friends I heard from was Fr. Curran. He sent me the Peace Prayer of St. Francis de Sales. I was unfamiliar with this particular prayer but was struck by its message. It gave me a perspective and a comfort to face my cancer. I said this prayer everyday during my chemotherapy and hospitalizations and continue to do so. Thank you Fr. Curran"

My Story with Father

"In college, Father Curran came to our house to enjoy dinner and break bread and we had a great conversation about how our fraternity could better serve Rockhurst. As an alum, he gave my wife and me a tour of Arrupe. Then, while he was running out of time to get to mass, he stopped and blessed my wife’s pregnancy. I told him he was basically Dumbledore. And, of course, every Hopkins Skip and Run, I could always count on Father Curran to pass me."

My Story with Father

"Fr. Curran has been a strong spiritual advisor. His calm demeanor and generous heart are a perfect blend to help those in need."

My Story with Father

"Fr. Curran is such a blessing. Favorite memories are him coming to my wedding celebration, walks with him around the Quad, Mass just with the two of us during Christmas week. God Bless You!"

My Story with Father

"Once Father learned my name, he never forgot it. If I missed a day in the gym, he’d stop me in the courtyard and say “you weren’t there this morning!" My senior year, I received an outstanding research award. My parents attended, and Father Curran sat next to my Dad. He regaled my Dad with stories of what an outstanding student I was, and how I contributed to making the school a better place. My Dad beamed. He was so proud."

My Story with Father

"When I attended Retreat on the Rock my freshman year, I had been in a very difficult mental health spot and had just begun therapy for the first time. At breakfast that Saturday morning, Fr. Curran asked me how I was doing and I was honest with him. He says: "Are you familiar with the Stations of the Cross?" "Yes." "Do you know what Jesus said when Simon helped Him carry His cross?" "No." "He didn't say anything. He allowed Himself to be helped."

My Story with Father

"In 2013, my parents house caught fire. Miraculously, we all made it out alright, but we were displaced and needed to rebuild. After the dust settled, Fr Curran shows up at my grandparent's where we were staying. He brought a basket of treats, a handwritten card, and talked to my grandpa. He also gave me a card and told me that this quote had brought him peace at points in his life, and that he and the rest of RU would be there to support us."

My Story with Father

"Since graduating from RU, some of my friendships have grown, and now three of us live together. We all strive to be the leaders Fr. Curran helped us be and use the core values instilled in us. This past year, we sent a copy of our "Family" Holiday Card to Fr. Curran and, to our surprise, we received a card back! His note is hanging on our wall to remind us of who helped shape our friendships and who still remembers us."

My Story with Father

"I had been working at RU for around 3 years when my father passed. Fr. Curran stood for over an hour in line at my dad’s wake to express his condolences. He greeted everyone in my family, “Tom Curran, I work with Angie.” They were shocked later to learn that he was the University President. 3 years later, my young grandson was in the ICU and had yet to be baptized. I made a call and asked if any priest was available to baptize him immediately. 20 minutes later, Fr. Curran walks in and baptizes him. Rockhurst is a better place because of Fr Curran's leadership."