On Two-Sport Student’s Schedule – Making Campus Better

As the fall semester ended, so too did senior Molly Morris’ competitive cross country career.

But this biochemistry major, who is also philanthropy chair for Gamma Phi Beta sorority, part of the grounds crew for campus and the president of Student Senate, has also been looking forward to a unique new challenge — being a year-round student-athlete on Rockhurst’s recently added track and field team and spending some additional time with many of the same teammates.

 “Just this morning, our run today didn't feel like practice. It felt like I was hanging out with my best friends,” she said in the fall. “You only get to be a college athlete once, so I’m thankful I get this opportunity.”

But being that involved means planning ahead. Awake at 5 a.m. for practice, then to class, then activities after — Morris said a Google calendar broken down into 30-minute increments is her secret weapon. As is a determination to use her time well. 

Morris said she first became part of Student Senate her freshman year, and was immediately hooked on the opportunities it provided and the chance to leave a lasting impact on campus long after she leaves.

“I just loved it. I loved the people on it and the community and like the opportunities we got, including leadership opportunities unlike anything else on campus,” she said.

This year, Morris committed to bringing to reality a project from Student Senate last year — a partnership with a company called Aunt Flow that supplies menstrual products for organizations to provide free of charge. Morris said she’s proud that the senators worked together to make it a reality, and that the effort is being well-received on campus.

“It’s been really great to see people interested in getting involved with it and embracing it,” she said. “I think it makes campus more inclusive.”