Rockhurst News

Three alumni of Rockhurst University will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to their career fields and for their service to both the campus and their communities.

TIME Magazine’s list of America’s Best Colleges for 2026-27 is out, and it includes Rockhurst University.

The Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City, which has operated as a nonprofit organization under the auspices of the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province, is becoming part of Rockhurst University, a Jesuit university founded in 1910 that is also one of the works in the province.

In June, Debbie Espinosa, ’98, was announced as the next president and CEO of Harvesters—The Community Food Network, a regional food bank based in Kansas City. It’s both a new challenge and a familiar role for Espinosa, who credited previous experience in the nonprofit sector and her Jesuit education at Rockhurst University for preparing her well to take the helm.

At the Rockhurst University Leadership Series in St. Louis on Sept. 17, the University will honor Jim Powers, ’83, with its Magis Award for his decades of service and leadership to the University and the St. Louis community.

The excitement is palpable in the Kansas City community as World Cup matches kick off here. Students, faculty and alumni are among them.

Rockhurst University joins the Dunn family in mourning the loss of Bill Dunn Sr., ’46, longtime CEO of JE Dunn Construction, who died May 31 at age 102. The family has maintained deep roots in the Rockhurst University community, with Bill and his late wife, Jean, giving each of their sons the gift of a Jesuit education at Rockhurst.

The May 9 commencement ceremony at Municipal Auditorium was the culmination of a weekend’s worth of activity.
The day before, master’s and doctoral students at the University were honored in ceremonial hooding ceremonies, while Bachelor of Science in nursing graduates received pins, a tradition dating back to Florence Nightingale.
At each ceremony, students were invited to speak.

Earning a degree from a Jesuit institution is a remarkable accomplishment. But what comes next is just as important.

That was according to Donna Carroll, Ed.D., president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, who addressed the audience of graduates and their loved ones as part of Rockhurst University’s annual spring commencement Saturday.

Rockhurst University’s annual spring commencement activities are scheduled for May 8 and 9, highlighted by the commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.
As part of the festivities, the University will award an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Donna Carroll, Ed.D., president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and president emerita of Dominican University in Illinois.