Rockhurst News

Each spring, students who distinguish themselves in what are considered the three main pillars of a Jesuit education — scholarship, leadership and service — are invited to become part of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honor society.

Rockhurst University has announced the dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester. This honor recognizes students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above.

Students named to the list are:

Dati Abuladze

Courtney Adams

Nate Adamson

Mia Adkins

Peyton Aerni

Abbie Aguirre

Abdi Akil

Erica Akins

Le'Bonet Alfaro

Safiya Ali

Celeste Allen

Dakota Allen

Drew Altic

Litzy Alvarado Islas

Zoe Amstutz

Morgan Andersen

Ashley Anderson

Natalie Anderson

Almost 300 graduates earned degrees from Rockhurst University during its 105^th commencement ceremony Sunday afternoon.

The December commencement ceremony was the third since the University revived the tradition in 2020. In the historic Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, graduates and the audience heard from two student speakers chosen from a list of nominations submitted by faculty and staff — a Rockhurst tradition.

If you are the first person in your family to go to college, congratulations!

Also, today is your day, as First-Generation College Celebration Day is celebrated nationally and will be recognized throughout the week here on the Rockhurst University campus.

A member of the Rockhurst University mathematics faculty has been honored alongside other local female leaders in STEM for work that seeks to inspire a love of math in young people, particularly girls and young women.

Zdenka Guadarrama, Ph.D., professor of mathematics, received the WiSTEMM Educator STEMMy Award from women’s leadership organization Central Exchange during its 9^th annual STEMMy awards ceremony Oct. 27, recognizing her contributions to STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine) disciplines through her Mathapalooza program.

Nearly every nurse has a story of why they got started in the profession, and almost all involve a nurse providing care and comfort to them or a loved one.

Today’s workplace is diverse in both its composition and responsibilities. Interdisciplinary classes, minors, and majors encourage students to think critically and creatively to properly prepare individuals for this evolving professional world.

Rockhurst’s College of Arts & Sciences built a multi-disciplinary approach and team-teaching into its 2020-2025 strategic plan to incorporate two or more areas of study to prepare students for the more varied careers in today’s global job market.

Just a few years ago, Hasina Lokhandwala Siraj was working as a senior human resources executive in her home country of India. Today, she’s a wife, mother and professional living in the U.S. as a Rockhurst MBA student.

In a life filled with big changes and important decisions, Lokhandwala calls her choice to pursue an MBA a Rockhurst after starting a family “one of the best decisions of my life.”

The NCAA reminds us that most collegiate student-athletes will turn professional in something other than sports.

Two Hawks, Tera Reberry (volleyball) and Parker Esparza (men’s soccer), are well on their way to living that dream as medical professionals, while still being key contributors to their respective teams.

The inauguration of Rockhurst University’s 15^th president, Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. The afternoon of events will mark Cassady’s ceremonial installation as president and a milestone for Rockhurst as the first woman and first lay president of the institution.