What We’re Thankful For…
The air is cooler, the leaves are changing — is that allspice and nutmeg I smell?
As members of the Rockhurst University community prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones, here are a few of the things we’re especially grateful for this year:
- A New Place of Worship (and Service!) — During Family and Alumni Weekend at the end of September, Rockhurst University officially dedicated and blessed the newest additions to campus, the new Mabee Chapel and the Alvin Brooks Center for Faith-Justice. The occasion included a Mass celebrated by Bishop James Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, who consecrated the new altar in the chapel.
- A Higher-Than-Ever Ranking! — In September, Rockhurst University was named No. 6 on the list of Best Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report. The University earned several other rankings in the annual Best Colleges list, including three nationally ranked undergraduate business programs (analytics, management and marketing) and recognition among regional universities in the Midwest for its undergraduate teaching.
- Students Serving Our Community — Did you know that students at Rockhurst spend approximately 7,600 hours in service during a given year? That includes a lot of different types of service and in a lot of different places. This year, we’re particularly thankful for the Cura Clinic, a monthly pro-bono clinic powered by KC Teaching Clinic that is staffed by Rockhurst University occupational and physical therapy and speech-language pathology students at the Vibrant Health Clinic. They provide care to residents in need in the area.
- New Programs and a Bigger Jesuit Community — It’s been a year of growth for Rockhurst University, powered partly by partnerships with fellow Jesuit institutions. In the spring, we entered a strategic alliance with Spring Hill College, one of the oldest Jesuit institutions in the U.S., offering access to new programs and opportunities for students at both places. We also expanded our speech-language pathology program to students at Creighton and Regis universities. And we have either launched or are planning to launch several additional programs, including the Master of Science in information systems degree and the Master of Science in industrial-organizational psychology.
- Athletic Success — Suffice to say, it’s been a great year for Rockhurst University athletics. Last spring, the women’s tennis team brought home its first GLVC championship and earned a NCAA Division II sweet 16 berth for the first time. The women’s lacrosse team earned its first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II tournament. And in its first year at Rockhurst, men’s swim and dive had its first-ever GLVC champion. That success has carried over to the fall, as well — the men’s soccer team claimed the regular season GLVC title and its first trip to the NCAA Division II tournament since 2017, head coach Tony Tocco also notched his 750th career victory, becoming only the second coach in college soccer history to earn that distinction. on top of all that, Bourke Field was fitted with new turf and lighting.
- A Growing Community – Rockhurst University continues to grow in enrollment and in our care for new members of our community. This fall, the University launched the International Student Companions program, a new way to support the growing global student population.
