Rockhurst News

On Saturday, the Rockhurst University community celebrated those students who completed their coursework in December. It not only marked the return of an older tradition, as the last time the University hosted a December commencement was in 2005. But it did so in a very 2020 way — virtually.

Approximately 200 students were eligible for degrees at the first of what is expected to become an ongoing tradition for those students who complete their coursework at the close of the fall semester.

Rockhurst University is one of a few bucking the trend of many Missouri colleges and universities facing enrollment headwinds as a result of COVID-19 and demographic changes, according to a new report from the state coordinating board for higher education.

A fall enrollment report recently issued by that body indicated that most Missouri institutions of higher education, both public and private, saw drops in headcount enrollment in the fall of 2020 compared to the previous year, with an overall decline of 5.9%.

Some Rockhurst University offices will amend their hours during the coming holiday season. The following hours will be observed.

Rockhurst University

University offices will be closed Nov. 23-27 for Thanksgiving break.

University offices will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1, 2021, for Christmas break.

Greenlease Library

Greenlease Library will be closed Nov. 21 through Nov. 29 for the Thanksgiving break.

Today, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities issued a statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Rockhurst University has announced the dean’s list for the spring 2020 semester. This honor recognizes students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above.

The following students were included on the list:

Matthew Abeyta

Fanuel Achinda

Caroline Adams

Macee Adams

Mara Akers

Amber Akin

Shereen Al-Saoudi

Balem Alamerew

Jennifer Alonso

Anthony Altobella

Litzy Alvarado Islas

Ashley Anderson

Kathleen Anderson

Madelyn Anderson

Marianna Anderson

Michelle Anderson

“Human first.”

That’s what the Post-It note on the laptop of Jameelah Lang, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, has told her for years.

It’s a reminder that teaching should always be student-focused — that above all else, her instruction should be a partnership with students that emphasizes their shared humanity and individual experiences.

That has felt more pressing or real since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. After the sudden switch to remote learning, Lang said she looked to her students to help shape what the rest of the semester looked like.

From the stylized depictions of nature from the impressionists to the stark grandeur of Ansel Adams’ photographs, artists have long looked to their surroundings for inspiration.

Rockhurst University is mourning the death of former University president the Rev. Peter Ely, S.J., on Saturday, April 11.

For Kansas City area restaurants (make that restaurants across the U.S.), physical distancing and other precautions taken to stem the spread of COVID-19 has made business a lot harder.

That’s a cause of stress for Dan Walsh, ’96, ’01 MBA, owner of Spokes Café, but it’s also been an opportunity to rally a community behind the workers leading the fight against the virus every day.