Presidential Search Process
Rockhurst University Students, Faculty and Staff,
Earlier today, Rockhurst University President the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., sent you a message announcing this academic year will be his last to lead Rockhurst. I want to offer words of encouragement about the future of our beloved University and provide information about the process to name Fr. Curran’s successor.
Rockhurst University today is a much stronger institution than when Fr. Curran arrived in 2006 and we are grateful for his dedication and his many accomplishments. Under his leadership, there has been a renewed focus on mission that has been recognized by students, employees, accrediting bodies, visitors and neighbors. His personal ministry of accompaniment to students, faculty, staff and alumni has become a hallmark of his tenure. An approach to strategic and financial planning was adopted to move the University to a place where strategy would drive the budget rather than the inverse. The addition of Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences allows Rockhurst to play a leadership role in supplying health care professionals to the region. Under the 2018-23 strategic plan, an emphasis on making the University a home for all and a focus on being a leader in social justice are ensuring that Rockhurst is looking outward as well as inward to “make God’s good world better.”
In addition to these vital areas of growth, Fr. Curran has achieved remarkable philanthropic success, inspiring numerous alumni and friends to support Rockhurst with their gifts. In fact, during his tenure, he has personally been responsible for bringing in more than $120 million to fund projects such as Arrupe Hall, the Magis Activity Center, the renovation of Sedgwick Hall, improvements to student housing, and growing the endowment by 68%.
All of this means that Rockhurst University is in a very good place to attract and welcome a new president. To this end, the Board of Trustees has engaged AGB Search, a professional search firm with proven expertise in higher education, to assist us. As board president, I am serving as a co-chair of the search committee, along with Nancy Creasy, ’84, board vice chair; and Kenneth Garrett, ’79, board secretary. We are continuing to finalize the remainder of the committee appointments, which will include additional board members and representation from faculty, staff and students.
During September, AGB Search’s consultants will engage with constituents — including students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community — to listen and understand the University’s opportunities, desired attributes and qualifications for the next president. The search will officially launch in October with strategic outreach to ensure a qualified and diverse pool of candidates.
The board understands that periods of change can evoke conflicting emotions, but they can also present opportunities for growth. I hope this outline of our next steps assures you that we are moving forward with confidence to select the 15th president of Rockhurst University*. We will provide regular updates on the search process and ways you can become engaged. Please look for more information soon about the listening sessions. As a proud Rockhurst alumnus, I consider it a distinct privilege to lead this effort.
Sincerely,
Thomas M. Hastings, M.D., FACP, ’81
* An earlier version was corrected Oct. 5 to indicate the correct number.