Former President Honored with Magis Award

On Saturday, Aug. 23, former Rockhurst president the Rev. Robert F. Weiss, S.J., received the second Magis Award, presented by Rockhurst University, along with St. Louis University High School and Jesuits of the Missouri Province.

Named for one of the core Jesuit values, Rockhurst University’s 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. Tony Tocco, the University’s longtime head soccer coach and professor of accounting, was the first recipient in 2013.

Weiss is a St. Louis native, graduating from St. Louis University High School and earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Louis University, from which he also received a Master of Arts degree in education and licentiates in both philosophy and theology.

Weiss served in the U.S. Army during World War II, part of the 42nd Rainbow Division from 1943-1946 in the European theater. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and two Battle Stars for his service. He also served as a two-time president and longtime national chaplain for the Rainbow Division Veterans Association.

In 1977, Weiss was inaugurated as the 10th president of Rockhurst University. From that time until 1988, Weiss led the University through a period of change and progress that included the establishment of the Executive Fellows MBA Program, the University’s school of management and the partnership with Research College of Nursing, in addition to numerous campus renovation and improvement projects.

Through membership on various boards and as a longtime supporter of organizations such as Our Little Haven, a St. Louis-based home for abused and neglected children, Weiss has been a community leader in St. Louis as well, earning a number of awards for his work.