The Hawk of the Year Award is awarded to Bri’Yana Merill.

Hawk of the Year Nominees:

Abigail Salanski

Anna Schultz

Bri'Yana Merrill

Carl Schmittgens

Colton Broxterman

Daniel Zack

Emilee Foix

Emma Barben

Emma chevalier

Katie Gregg

Maddie Reed

Matthew Fritton

Meme Todt

Olivia Wilmsmeyer

Reagan Dodd

Shaili Patel

Spencer Jonas

Sydney Trousdale

Zander Haddad

The Faculty of the Year Award is awarded to Dr. Marissa Roffler, Assistant Professor of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences

Faculty of the Year Nominees:

Christina Wills

Dr. Lynn Barr

Dr. Matt Heinrich

Dr. Amy burns

Dr. Elif Dilden

Dr. Elizabeth Evans

Dr. Elizabeth Walter

Dr. Harak

Dr. Jameelah Lang

Dr. Kathleen Madigan

Dr. Leslie Merced

Dr. Marissa Roffler

Dr. Mohamed Kohia

Dr. Nancy Donaldson

Dr. Nilufer Guler

Dr. Tom Ringenberg

Jamison Shipman

Melissa Ling

Shahid Ali

The Staff of the Year Award is awarded to Ann Martin, Dining Services

Staff of the Year Nominees:

Ann Martin, Dining Services

Brent Blazek, Associate Athletic Director for Development and Engagement

Breyanna Primous, McGee Resident Director

Celia Fox, Assistant Director of Campus Ministry

Cindy Schmersal, Vice President for Mission and Ministry

Dr. Matt Quick, Vice President for Student Development and Athletics/Dean of Students

Emily Rose, Campus Minister for Faith, Justice and Solidarity

Emma Rapp, Director of Student Life

Kristy Magee, Student Success Coach

1. Poster Title: Intervention Practices for Pediatric Feeding Difficulties and Disorders

Student Author: Clare Goessling, Katrina Schuster Emma Heim

Faculty Advisor: Veronica Fierro

2. Poster Title: Assessing the Efficacy of Job-Related Social Skills Training for High School Adolescents with Language or Learning Disability: A Critical Appraisal

Student Author: Alyssa Mendoza, Nikki Mears, Alexus Yoakum

Faculty Advisor: Veronica Fierro

3. Poster Title: Parent-Implemented Intervention Led to Greater Achievement in Language Skills for Children Under the Age of Five Years Old​

Student Author: Lauren Boeding, Maximo Aquilizan, Taylor Clemens

Faculty Advisor: Abby Eubank

4. Poster Title: Routines: Images and Narratives of Individuals

Student Author: Desirae Leeson, Allie Piszczeck, Sierra Pollard, Lauren Leizer

Faculty Advisor: Ketti Coffelt

5. Poster Title: Relationship Between Acoustic Bat Call Quality And The Height Of Anabat Detector On Rockhurst University Campus

Student Author: Kayla Donjuan

Faculty Advisor: Jessica Allen

6. Poster Title: Literacy Interventions for Children with Down Syndrome

Student Author: Hannah Waddell, Alison Vazquez, Emmaline Bohlander

Faculty Advisor: Abby Eubank

7. Poster Title: Investigating the Impact of Stress and Anxiety on Traditional-aged Graduate Students in Health Science Programs

Student Author: Caleigh Hayes, Kelly House, Cori Bear, Hannah Peterson, Jennifer Frazee

Faculty Advisor: Lynne Clarke

8. Poster Title: Examining the Effects of Mental Health Issues on Academic Performance

Student Author: Lauren Swindle, Polly Johnson, Reagan Dodd, Sadie Stracke

Faculty Advisor: Steven Brown

9. Poster Title: Willingness to Hire

Student Author: Jeremey Beckner, Jennifer Denzine, Jillian Jamaledein, Lindsey Mayes

Faculty Advisor: Steven Brown

10. Poster Title: The Effect of Color and Gender on Mood

 Student Author: Gracelyn LaForge, Brianna Lee, Anyae Williams, Maggie Davis

 Faculty Advisor: Steven Brown

11. Poster Title: Preliminary Efforts in the Synthesis of Coumarin Derivatives as Small Molecule RNA Binder

Student Author: Lauren McCaskey, Rachel Thomas, Emilee Foix, Evan Harak

Faculty Advisor: Yu Liu

12. Poster Title: Effectiveness of a Transitions-IADL Program for Adolescents with Disabilities

Student Author: Kalvin Hudson, Eileen Mathias, Annalise Mergen, Macey Mick, Grace Mitchell

Faculty Advisor: Katie Ryan-Bloomer

13. Poster Title: Crime and Gender: The Prejudice and Bias that Affect Our Sentencing Decisions

Student Author: Hannah Lindzy, Caroline Lynch, Kyle Hannan

Faculty Advisor: Steven Brown

14. Poster Title: Pilot Study of Upper Extremity Limb Amputee Survey

Student Author: Nallely Baeza, Kyiah Bell, Abbie Brandhagen, Olivia Coons, Emily Delassus

Faculty Advisor: Amber Jenkins

15. Poster Title: Thinking Outside the Box: Exploring Perceptions Among Urban Early Education Staff

Student Author: Alyson Spencer-Stewart, Katie Pearson, Paige Susanka, Mikayla Armer, Alexis Sroor

Faculty Advisor: Joan Delahunt

16. Poster Title: Dysphagia Treatment for Pediatric Individuals with Down Syndrome

Student Author: Iza Kruszczak, Alaina Boyle, Hannah Lauer

Faculty Advisor: Veronica Fierro

17. Poster Title: Examining the effect of eye gaze technology on vision of children with cortical visual impairment and its impact on occupational performance 

Student Author: Ashley Carroll, Tammy Bruegger, Ciara Dulton, Bri Eller, Jenna Dieatrick Claire Cook

Faculty Advisor: Tammy Bruegger

18. Poster Title: The Efficacy of an Intensive, Group Based CIMT Program for Children and Adolescents

Student Author: Maxine Mohesky, Zoe Nasson, Daisy Rojas, Rachel Rumelhart

Faculty Advisor: Katie Ryan-Bloomer

19. Poster Title: Behavioral Spectrum Disorder: Examining ADHD, OCD, and Tourette Syndrome on a Spectrum

Student Author: Jayci Goodwin

Faculty Advisor: Steven Brown

20. Poster Title: The Online Service Delivery of Expressive Language Intervention to Individuals with Aphasia

Student Author: Jessica Lahasky, Abbie Hughes, Francie Hubbert

Faculty Advisor: Abby Eubank

21. Poster Title: Community Aphasia Groups and Psychosocial Well-Being for Persons with Aphasia and their Caregivers

Student Author: Emily Kroesen, Hendren Hunter, Porter Meghan

Faculty Advisor: Veronica Fierro

22. Poster Title: Parent-Child Language Intervention Through a Trauma-Informed Lens: Examining the Role of Parents

Student Author: Jennifer Parham

Faculty Advisor: Abby Eubank

23. Poster Title: Perceptions of Culturally Effective Care Among BIPOC and LGBTQ+ Populations

Student Author: Ayraka Straws, Blake Thomas, Michelle Watts, Brandon Zukovich

Faculty Advisor: Sierra Grady

24. Poster Title: Phosphorylation of SR Proteins and the Effect of Stress on Splicing in Fission Yeast

Student Author: Nhukim Nguyen, Ariana Stanislawski, Sophia Suchomski, Natalie Goodhart, Emily Edwards

Faculty Advisor: Michael Marvin

25. Poster Title: The Effect of Self-Esteem on Undergraduate Academic Engagement

Student Author: Nhukim Nguyen, Olivia Moore, Claire Reinhart, Jordan McTagueAndrews

Faculty Advisor: Steven Brown

26. Poster Title: The Evolutionary Mechanics of Mating

Student Author: Hannah Lindzy, Sophie Price

Faculty Advisor: Steven Brown

27. Poster Title: SARS CoV-2 and its Effects on Granulosa Cells

Student Author: Anne Grater

Faculty Advisor: Joanna Cielocha

28. Poster Title: Examining the Effects of Age and Gender on Student Perception of Professors

Student Author: Sarah Ealey, Rivka Malik, Serenity Hassenflow, Mackinley Clark

Faculty Advisor: Steven Brown

29. Poster Title: Exploring the Long-term Effects of Persistent Alterations in Taste and Smell Following Covid-19 Infection

Student Author: Alexandra Arabas, Hannah Campin, Isabel Calderon, Bryleigh Beardmore, Sammantha Gans

Faculty Advisor: Sunni Alford

30. Poster Title: Investigating the Prevalence and Experiences of Anxiety in Graduate Students Enrolled at a Midwest University

Student Author: Emma Finkeldei, Skylar Jacobson, Maggie Keller, Macy Koetters, Lauren Ritcher

Faculty Advisor: Lauren Ritcher

Oral /Platform Presentation 1, Rockhurst Outstanding Research Award Presentation

Title: Teaching Diverse Students: How K-12 Teachers Perceive a State Bill and LGBTQ+ Affirming Curriculum

Student Presenter: Sean Klippel

Faculty Mentor: Nilufer Guler

Abstract: In January 2021, Missouri House Representative Martha Stevens introduced MO House Bill 655 that would allow school districts in the state of Missouri to teach students information on the roles and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of the United States, specifically those that are prerequisites to promoting acceptance and diversity and to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, and public policy. While legislature and education leaders can encourage the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in classroom curriculum, teachers are often the gatekeepers to the curriculum they teach and so their perception is essential to any kind of reform. While there is existing research regarding teacher perceptions and experiences in coastal regions of the country that have legislation supportive of LGBTQ+ affirming curriculum, little is known about perceptions of teachers in Midwest states.

“Teaching Diverse Students: How Social Identities Affect Teacher Perceptions of a State Bill and LGBTQ+ Affirming Curriculum'' discovers teacher perceptions of their roles in creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students, examining the impact that Missouri House Bill 655 and the teaching of curriculum affirming of the LGBTQ+ community will provide for LGBTQ+ students. An online survey and semi-structured interviews were used to collect qualitative data from 191 teachers in Missouri. Social Identity Theory, used to explain the psychological and social bases for intergroup and intragroup behavior, guides the data analysis and narrative data from participant interviews is used to strengthen patterns to add knowledge to mainstream teachers on best practices to educate diverse LGBTQ+ students.

Oral /Platform Presentation 2

Title: 3D Modeled DC Motor

Student Presenter: Austin Lewis and Garrett Black

Faculty Mentor: Michael McCoy

Abstract: In the Physics 2 course for scientists and engineers, taught by Professor Michael McCoy, the end of the semester project was to create a DC motor. The goal of the project was to make a motor that would rotate at 30 rpm and lift a 40g mass 20cm in 1 minute. My partner Garrett Black and I created a 3D printed DC motor which reached 1975 rpm and lifted the 40g mass in 0.41s. The presentation will discuss the designing, building, and testing of our 3D printed DC motor. More information we will discuss includes what a DC motor is, how it works, the requirements of the project, and how/why our motor was the most successful. The goal for the audience would be for them to gain a basic understanding of how DC motors and the engineering process work. Also, it is valuable for the audience to understand the projects that the physics department creates.

Oral /Platform Presentation 3

Title: The role of teacher perceptions' in collaborating with speech-language pathologists

Student Presenter: Michelle McOsker

Faculty Mentor: Nilufer Guler

Abstract: As schools and districts continue to work towards inclusive classrooms for all learners, considerations need to be made on how to support students with communication needs. To best support these students, collaboration between teachers and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) is essential, especially as the goal is to help students generalize communication skills to the classroom. A key factor to this collaborative relationship is how teachers perceive SLPs in the K-12 setting.

Exploring these perceptions from the Theoretical Domains Framework based in implementation science, this session presents the results of a study exploring the relationship between teachers’ perceptions of SLPs and their confidence in collaborating with SLPs. Previous research has been limited in scope and sample size, limiting the generalizability of results. The current study employed a mixed methods design and collected qualitative data from teachers across the United States through a survey and qualitative data through follow-up interviews to further explore teachers’ perceptions of and experiences with SLPs. Participants included teachers from all backgrounds (classroom, special education, etc.), subjects, years of experience, and grade levels, as students with communication needs exist in all of these areas. Over 200 teachers participated in the survey study and more than 10 teachers participated in follow-up interviews.

Results and implications of this study are the first step toward developing a stronger interprofessional relationship between teachers and SLPs. With both parties understanding what currently facilitates and hinders this collaboration, educational professionals can advocate for increased opportunities to partner together to identify more ways to support students with communication needs in settings beyond speech and language therapy sessions. Furthermore, teachers can identify limitations in their own understanding of the SLP’s role in the school setting, while SLPs can determine their own need to advocate for their role and provide education on services they can provide."

Visual Arts:

The following students from Prof. Keira Norton’s studio will exhibit artwork in the display case outside Arrupe 109:

Corinne Alexander                 Ephemeral Mask with Third Eye

Yasmin Bruno-Valdez          Indigenous Mexican-Inspired Mask

Cheyenne Cohu                      Plaster Plant Life

Mac Cross                          Wire Sneaker

Katherine Harmon                 Inuit-Inspired Mask

Alexander Hulsey                 Wire Athletic Shoe

Angel Kalu                              Blue Woman Mask with Flowers

Nicholas Kurpiel                   Plaster Dragon Head

Nehemiah Lopez                   African Earth Mother

Juliann Martin                       Balinese-Inspired Mask

Shelby Mclaughlin             A Woman’s Back

Alyssa Slama                         Mermaid Mask with Protective Gear

Ariana Stanislawski             Wire Boot

Megan Wiseman                   Wire Boot

Hannah Wiseman                 Wire Heel

Wesley Sirivonxay               Plaster Rock Tower

Performing Arts:

Daniel Arroyo (student of Prof. Matthew Schmidli) will perform an acting monologue called “Assumptions” by R. J. Ryland.

Joe Heinrich, pianist (student of Dr. Hyunki Yoon) will perform Gabriel Fauré, “Andante moderato” from 3 Romances sans paroles, Op. 17, No. 3.

Maggie Davis (student of Dr. Hyunki Yoon) will perform Muzio Clementi - Piano Sonatina Op. 36 No. 2 in G Major, 1^st movement: Allegretto.

The Rockhurst University Chamber Singers will perform: 

Pierre Clereau, Celebrate this Day Together

Dan Schutte, These Alone Are Enough

Members:

Dominic Fiordelisi

Adison Grunewald

Lizzie Hickman

Morrison Kelly

Billy Klasinski

Will Kuenne

Margaret Lisac

Lani Miller

Stephen Nguyen

Dominic Pancella

Elliot Rocha

Andre Smith

Luke Spencer

Rockhurst Outstanding Research Award: Sean Klippel.

2022 Rockhurst Mentor of the Year Award: Dr. Steven Brown, Psychology Department and Dr. Lynn Clarke, Occupational Therapy Department.

Outstanding Senior in French Award: Julia Bloss

Outstanding Senior in French Honorable mention: Sofia Torres Aranda and Karen Nguyen.

American Chemical Society Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry: Natalie Goodhart.

American Chemical Society Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry:  Mariah Fleischman.

American Chemical Society Division of Inorganic Chemistry Undergraduate Award: Natalie Goodhart

American Chemical Society Division of Organic Chemistry Outstanding Senior Award:  Lauren McCaskey.

American Institute of Chemists Award for Excellence in Chemistry: Lauren McCaskey.

American Institute of Chemists Award for Excellence in Biochemistry: Mariah Fleischman.

Biology scholar awards: Will Rudder, Reagan Dodd, Akshar Patel

Biology Innovation Awards: Jayci Goodwin, Erin Cushing!

Biology Inspiration Awards: Fatima Portillo, Kiersten Hall, and Kaitlyn Evans.

Biology Barbara Wynne Service Awards: Ariana Stanislovski, J.T. Cornelius.

Biology Engagement Awards: Elisabeth (Liz) Heckman, Anna Schultz, Destinee King

Father Aloysius Breen, S.J. English Award: Jon Boyle

The Charles M. Kovich Dramatist Award: Berkley Hays

Michael D. O'Connor Psychology Medal: Kirby Slaughter

Rossner Philosophy Medal: Zoe Nason

Arrupe Service Award: Aimee Barthol and JT Cornelius!

Magis Leadership Award: Zander Haddad and Rob Stoddard!

Physics Medal: Ally Wilder.

Hugh M. Owens Prize in History: Rachel Thomas

Dowling Oratory Medalist: Mona Deister

Robert W. Miller Speaking Contest: Izzy McCarty.

Undergraduate Award for Distinguished Leadership: Christine Crowell and Noah Mabry

Delta Sigma Pi Key Award: Christine Corbin and Brooks Hanson

For the 11th consecutive year, Rockhurst received the NCAA Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence for achieving four-year Academic Success Rates of 90 percent or higher. Rockhurst finished with a 95 percent ASR in 2020-21, which ranked in a tie for ninth among NCAA Division 2 institutions.

Rockhurst was one of 28 finalists for the 2022 Division II Award of Excellence, an accolade recognizing initiatives in the past year that exemplify the Division 2 philosophy, community engagement and student-athlete leadership.

Volleyball won the GLVC West Division and earned a bid to the NCAA Division 2 national tournament. The Hawks finished with a 20-12 record. Justice Wingate, Averi Vomastic and Maureen Reilly earned All-GLVC honors.

Women's Cross Country captured the team titles at the Cottey College Invitational and Billy Mills Invitational.

Men's Cross Country finished second at the Cottey College Invitational and Billy Mills Invitational.

Women's Basketball posted a 16-12 record and finished second in the GLVC West Division.

Daly Sullivan and Keegan Sullivan received women’s basketball postseason honors from the GLVC. Daly was named to the All-GLVC First Team. Keegan earned a spot on the All-GLVC Third Team.

Senior Nick Volz was named to the All-GLVC Second Team and was the second recipient of the Norman Majors Player of the Year Award for Rockhurst Men's Basketball.

Men's Lacrosse moved into the national rankings for the fifth consecutive season and reached as high as No. 18 in the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association poll.

Men’s Tennis was ranked No. 28 in the ITA Division 2 national rankings in late March.

Heidi Jordan was named the third head coach in the 17-year history of the Softball program.

The Men’s and Women’s Golf teams both won the KC Cup tournaments in Kansas City last fall.

The Rockhurst training staff was one of the 2021 fall recipients of the GLVC Kearns Service Award.

More than 440 student-athletes earned a combined 3.45 grade-point average during the 2021 fall semester. Softball posted the highest team GPA with a 3.87. Men’s Golf had the highest team GPA among the men's teams with a 3.54 GPA.

The Student Senate and Student Activities Board Presidents are presented with gavels during their time of transition at the end of this semester, for their year of hard work and service.

Nhukim Nguyen, Student Senate President

JT Cornelius, Student Activities Board President

Mark Sappington Male Student Athlete of the year

The Mark Sappington Male Student Athlete of the year was name for Sappington who was an All-American baseball player and exceptional student while at Rockhurst. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 5th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft, becoming the highest draft pick in the history of the Rockhurst baseball program. Not only was he a leader on his team, but his infectious personality made him popular and well revered across campus by staff, faculty, and all students.

Recipient: Sam Lindahl, Lacrosse

Taylor Skala female student-athlete of the year

The Taylor Skala female student-athlete of the year award was named for Skala who was a two-sport standout at Rockhurst. Skala was a finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year, and she earned the GLVC’s Paragon Award. She studied cell and molecular biology and graduated with honors. She earned multiple academic accolades, including Capital One Academic All-American.

Recipient: Averi Vomastic, Volleyball

Living Like Sam Award

The Living Like Sam Award is a new award. This award is named after Sam Zech, a student who was in the Research College of Nursing, a cheerleader, a woman of Gamma Phi Beta, an advocate for the poor, and a Girls on the Run Coach. Sam passed away in May of 2021 after a short but mighty battle with Stage 4 Appendix Cancer. Sam was a woman for others through her actions, accepting everyone she encountered, and we honor her by naming this service award after her and the life she lived. Sam’s passion for others and the community can continue to shine on through every recipient of this award.  This award will be presented to one student who has shown a commitment to being for and with others by giving of their time to community partners in the Kansas City area. This could include agencies with partnerships to Rockhurst or an agency that the student took the initiative to find and connect with through one of their passion areas.

Nominees: Chidera Okafor, LC Coldiron, Hannah Hartwig, Jemma Fenske, Thu Phung

Recipients: Jemma Fenske

Living the Mission Living the Mission Emerging Student Leader Award

The Living the Mission Emerging Student Leader Award is presented to two
students who are either a freshman or sophomore who have shown an excellent amount of leadership throughout the past year through academics, involvement with student organizations, service, and a commitment to the Rockhurst mission.

Nominees: Jack Del Vecchio, Chelsea Sims, Chidera Okafor, Jacob Alu, Matthew Lewis, Aaliyah Aramajoo, Hope Daga, Hannah Hollis, Oscar Ahumada, LaNeki Freeman, Katie Collins, Ingrid Gomez, Katia Rubio

Recipients: Jack Del Vecchio, Chelsea Sims, Chidera Okafor

Living the Mission Advanced Student Leaders Award

The Living the Mission Advanced Student Leader Award is given to two upperclassmen who have shown an excellent amount of leadership throughout their time at Rockhurst through academics, involvement with student organizations, service, and a commitment to the Rockhurst mission.

Nominees: Nhukim Nguyen, Matt Abeyta, Chelsea Sims, Zander Haddad, Ayraka Straws, JT Cornelis, Carl Schmittgens, Emily Dickson, Drew Hedrick, Emma Barben, Abby Blaine, LC Coldiron, Sydney Trousdale, Andy Mangandi, Colton Broxterman, Karen Nguyen, Connor Renard

Recipients: Zander Haddad and Sydney Trousdale

Outstanding Support for Diversity

The Outstanding Support for Diversity award is given to one student or student group who has shown continued commitment to diversity programming, promotion, and education.

Nominees: Bri’Yana Merrill and Student Organization of Latinos (SOL)

Recipients: Student Organization of Latinos (SOL)

Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award is presented to one student or organization that has shown above and beyond improvements and has transformed and impacted the Rockhurst community in a positive manner.

Nominees: Black Students Union (BSU), Student Senate, Alyssa Slama, LaNeki Freeman, Chelsea Sims, Commuter Club

Recipients: Commuter Club and LaNeki Freeman

Outstanding Student Organization

The Outstanding Student Organization Award is presented to a student group that has shown exemplary leadership in the areas of student programming, service, community outreach, the improvement of the quality of life on campus, and a commitment to the Rockhurst mission.

Nominees: Student Senate, Theta Phi Alpha, Alpha Delta Gamma (ADG), Rockhurst Coalition of Gaming (RCOG), Black Students Union, Commuter Club

Recipients: Black Students Union (BSU)

Outstanding Student Leader

The Outstanding Student Leader Award annually recognizes students who have gone above and beyond in their service to organizations on campus during their time here.

Nominees: Andrew Park, Emma Barben, Colton Broxterman, Zander Haddad, Bri'Yana Merrill, Sydney Trousdale

Recipients: Bri’Yana Merrill and Emma Barben