Rockhurst Presidential Transition to Begin

Rockhurst University Alumni and Friends,

Today Rockhurst University President the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., announced that he plans to step down from his role following the close of this academic year. Like me, I’m sure those of you who have come to know Fr. Curran will receive this news with a mix of feelings, including sadness at his leaving Rockhurst. I want to share with you, members of the Rockhurst University family, some information about Fr. Curran’s plans and the process to select the 15^th president of Rockhurst University*.

Fr. Curran shared with the campus community that after he completes his 16^th year at Rockhurst, June 30, 2022, he will take a sabbatical and prepare for his next assignment. He and his Jesuit provincial have already begun the process of discernment about where and how he will be missioned, and he intends to share that information with us when plans are finalized.

Rockhurst University is a much stronger institution than when Fr. Curran arrived in 2006 and is in an excellent 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. Tom Hastings, M.D., FACP, ’81, chairman of the board, will co-chair the search committee along with Nancy Creasy, ’84, board vice chair; and Kenneth Garrett, ’79, board secretary. They continue 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.

I know you will join me in gratitude for Fr. Curran’s service to Rockhurst and the many ways he has strengthened our University. We will soon provide opportunities for friends of the university to express gratitude for Fr Curran’s legacy. We will share details of the search throughout the fall and early next year when we expect to announce the appointment of the new president.

Sincerely,

Mary Mooney Burns, ’93
Vice President for University Advancement and Alumni Relations

* An earlier version was corrected Oct. 5 to indicate the correct number.