Popular Professor Bonds With Students Tackling Tough Subject

Yu Liu, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, knows that organic chemistry has a bit of a reputation.

It’s an innately difficult subject; a crucible for generations of science majors at Rockhurst. Despite being the face of what many consider Rockhurst’s most difficult class, Liu was named Faculty of the Year by students at the Festival of Student Achievement in April. How does he do it? Liu said it’s important to him to give students pathways to understand a difficult subject. 

He draws often from his own experiences — as a onetime member of the provincial chemistry Olympic team in his native China, Liu remembers well what it means to perform with the pressure to succeed, as well as what it feels like to sometimes fall short (he admits not getting an A in organic chemistry his first semester). Liu said he also remembers one of his own favorite teachers using cartoons and jokes to help students more easily digest complicated material.

When Liu is in the classroom, all of that is on the table. He also makes it known that his door if open if students want to drop in to better understand the material or just vent. And he reminds them that organic chemistry — or the subject in general, which he likens to learning a new language — is not just a challenge for its own sake.

“I play the role of supporter and cheerleader to make sure they can get through the class,” Liu said. “I think you need a worthy opponent to get the most out of yourself.”

As a result, he also gets to know students one-on-one. He has been known to attend Hawks athletic contests and student events, a sign of his commitment to seeing students through their entire college experience. For this native of Kansas City’s sister city, Xi’an, China, helping current students understand organic chemistry reflects the value of “cura personalis,” or “care for the whole person.” And he said it makes it even better to then see those students move on to graduate school, their careers and to fulfilling lives in general.

A version of this article appeared in the winter 2025 issue of RU magazine.

“To see them being successful outside of their academic life as a result of their experience in my class is gratifying,” he said.