RU: Summer 2015 by Rockhurst University

SUMMER 2015

Hawk Stars

Across genres, alumni musicians take the stage

The Magazine of Rockhurst University

leading the way

“There are three words that guide me as a leader: simplicity, humility and truth. In this complex world, it’s important to keep it simple, remember to put others before ourselves, and rely on the truth. My Rockhurst University experience helped me develop this focus and my path to lead.” Wendy Doyle, ’94 President & CEO, Women’s Foundation

summer 2015

The Magazine of Rockhurst University

Features departments Leading the Way Wendy Doyle, ’94

Rock Report From the President

Magis Award

Faculty Retire

Athletics News

Fr. Curran Takes Vows

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RU Through and Through

For Alumni Class Notes

Alumni Q&A

Career Center

From the Chapters

In Memoriam

Everyday Leaders

Legacy families keep the Rockhurst love flowing.

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Rockhurst Faculty Revealed

What does an office say about a professor? Take a look.

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Hawk Stars In Closing Gladys Gossett Hankins, ’75, ’77 MBA

There on stage, it’s a Rockhurst alumnus! 36

Time and Place Thursday, March 19, 2015

Front cover: Manny Macias, ’09 Photo by Mark McDonald

rockhurst.edu

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Would Ignatius Speak Emoji?

ould Ignatius speak emoji? I think so. He wrote nearly 7,000 documents and letters between 1524 and 1556. Emoji could have assisted the prolific writer. So, what actually are emojis? They are ideograms of faces, objects, vehicles, flags, symbols and then some. The word means “picture” and “character.” Emoji originated through the work of Shigetaka Kursta, an employee of NTT Docomo, a Japanese telecom company. In the 1990s, Kursta devised 176 simplistic cartoon images to distinguish the company’s pager system from its competitors. In 2007, Google and Apple added emoji functions into their operating systems to compete with the Japanese market. Today, every smartphone system has its own rendering of emojis. And, the collection of 722 standardized emojis has been encoded by Unicode Consortium so the symbols can be shared internationally. You’ve probably received or sent emojis via text, tweet or email — smiley faces, hearts, thumbs up, levitating man, couple holding hands, etc. Jesuit rhetoric, Eloquentia Perfecta, has been part of Jesuit education since its beginning at Messina, Italy, in 1548. Its goal is to produce classically trained orators as part of the education of the whole person. The process combines oral and written rhetoric as well as speech with listening. Jesuit rhetoric of the 21st century includes the digital revolution, new media and technologies. In order

So What Do You Think?

to avoid a digital gap, this rhetorical education may now require knowing how to speak basic emoji. In the mid 1970s, 50 symbols were devised to address the exponential increase in global travelers who had limited language proficiency. No matter how many or how few languages one speaks, there is universal understanding of the icons used for taxi, diapered baby, first aid, handicapped access and information. Similarly, the growth in the use of emojis should be addressed. Currently, there are no fewer than three emoji-only social networks in development. Recruiters for ISIS are using emojis. Classics such as Moby Dick have already been translated into emoji. Millions of emojis are being sent back and forth on Twitter as you read this. Even the NCAA allowed the Division I basketball teams in March Madness to have their own emojis. And the list goes on and on. With all the communicating we do online, emojis’ availability and pervasiveness indicates that the world seems to be accepting it as a form of human expression. Yes, I believe Ignatius would have considered using emojis despite the contention by some that their use is contrary to literacy and the intellectual tradition. He encouraged adaptability and meeting people where they are. Perhaps the following emojis soon will become part of our Rockhurst vocabulary. RU Emojis

RU Emojis

Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J. President, Rockhurst University

In the winter 2015 issue of RU magazine, Fr. Curran asked alumni readers to share how Rockhurst equipped them to think, reflect and act accordingly. Here is a sampling of the responses.

If I were to circle four words in your column that seem to me the most important ones, the words would be “the capacity to change.” I submit that the ability to adapt oneself to life’s changing circumstances, especially wholly unexpected circumstances, is the hallmark of a values-driven, liberal arts education. —Anthony Crebbin, ’74 The core value of contemplation in action has always been a balancing act for me. I believe that the actions we take in life demand a great deal of courage, and with that courage, we push ourselves beyond preconceived limitations that we had set for ourselves.

—Justin Langfield, ’12 If you graduated from Rockhurst College in 1958, you were required to have a minor in philosophy, which meant you were a student of Fr. Joseph Freeman, S.J., Fr. Vincent Daues, S.J., and Fr. Jules Brady, S.J., all taskmasters and demanding teachers. From logic through ethics, and everything in between, your thought process changed and instilled principles that you use every day of your life.

—T.A. Coppinger, M.D., ’58

SUMMER 2015

SUMMeR 2015

Rock Report

the MagaZine oF RoCKhURSt UniVeRSity

HAWK STARS

Maligo Named Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

across genres, alumni musicians take the stage

The Magazine of Rockhurst University summer 2015 RU, the magazine of Rockhurst University, is published by the Office of Public Relations and Marketing. Staff Sharon Alexander, ’11 Jeremiah Barber Alicia Douglas Katherine Frohoff, ’09 EMBA Estuardo Garcia Lauren Hannawald Tim Linn Jennifer Price Melissa Thompson Angela Verhulst Editor Katherine Frohoff Design JJB Creative Design Contributing Writers Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., Estuardo Garcia, Gladys Gossett Hankins, Ph.D., ’75, ’77 MBA, Tim Linn, Lauren Pennell, ’16, Jennifer Price Photography DiMartino Photography, Estuardo Garcia, Kim Hudson, Tim Linn, Mark McDonald, Lauren Pennell, ’16, Jennifer Price, SMP Photography, Dan Videtich, Nick Vedros, Todd Zimmer Send letters to: Katherine Frohoff Rockhurst University 1100 Rockhurst Road Kansas City, MO 64110-2561 or katherine.frohoff@rockhurst.edu Printed on recycled paper.

Pedro Maligo, Ph.D.

n July 1, Pedro Maligo, Ph.D., will become the newest dean of Rockhurst University’s College of Arts and Sciences.

In his new position, Maligo will oversee academic departments ranging from English and philosophy to biology and chemistry. Maligo’s last role was as chairman of the department of modern and classical languages at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and raised in various cities across that country, Maligo said he was educated in the Jesuit tradition in high school and at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, where he earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees. “Rockhurst is really coming home,” he said. “The values, the attitude and the treatment of students is very familiar to me.” With a Ph.D. in Portuguese, Maligo said his academic research focuses on the way language and culture are taught using an interdisciplinary and communitybased approach. It’s similar to the way he plans to approach his new position, hoping to make connections and foster new relationships and initiatives. “Growing up playing soccer, I was a mid-fielder, and setting up the assist was what gave me a sense of accomplishment,” he said. “I hope to play a similar role at RU, helping support our faculty’s existing collaborations and interdisciplinary initiatives as they benefit the institution as a whole.”

“Rockhurst is really coming home. The values, the attitude and the treatment of students is very familiar to me.” rockhurst.edu

Condoleezza Rice Inspires Capacity Crowd

The Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., and Condoleezza Rice, Ph.D.

ormer U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Ph.D., was the featured speaker at the third annual Rockhurst University Leadership Series luncheon. After a morning question-and-answer session with students, she spoke to an audience of more than 1,000 on the importance of education and America’s role in shaping the world.  Presenting

 Magis

The Rockhurst University Leaders Council thanks the sponsors for their support in making this year’s luncheon possible.

sponsor

John and Marny Sherman

 Jesuit

sponsors

DST Tria Health KCUMB Sprint

Waddell and Reed

 Kansas

City sponsors

Bayer Crop Science

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City

Cerner Commerce Bank Country Club Bank Tom DeBacco George J. Shaw Construction Co. Husch Blackwell

J.M. Fahey Construction Co.

Pegasus Capital Management Nigro Insurance Group

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Rock Report

Big 3 MBA Alliance Launches Shared Course Joe Reardon, ’90, speaks to a student at a reception launching a new regionalism course.

he Big 3 MBA Alliance, is a first-of-its-kind partnership among MBA programs at Rockhurst University, the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. This spring, students from all three universities were able to take an elective course together for the first time. The alliance plans to continue offering the course each semester, rotating its location between the three campuses and broadening the scope with different topics. This first shared class, launched in January, was titled Regionalism: From Concepts to Working Models. And its instructor, Joe Reardon, ’90, former mayor and CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, brought both knowledge and experience to the course. Now he serves as president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.

“It is an example of regionalism in practice,” said Reardon. “Within this first class, our goal was for students to gain a solid understanding of why regionalism matters to Kansas City, now and in the future. Although students represent three very different universities, they will need to work together to analyze case studies, prepare in-class presentations and more.” And the students didn’t just hear from Reardon. He brought in other Kansas City leaders to present their own perspectives, covering topics such as: models of effective leadership when governing in a region like Kansas City; the economic impact of border wars; and economic incentive policies that promote small business growth and entrepreneurship.

Learn more at big3mba.com.

HEARD ON CAMPUS “Be courageous. Ethical issues are allowed to fester because people are afraid to be courageous. If you see something wrong, speak up.” – DeAnn Lehigh, ’87, speaking to a class during the third annual Business Leadership and Ethics Day

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GoBabyGo! Gives Children With Disabilities a Chance at Mobility

Students Take to the Streets to Listen to Strangers

tudents in the listening research class taught by Laura Janusik, Ph.D., MBA, associate professor of communication, closed out their spring semester with a unique project. In groups of three, they spread out along the sidewalks of Kansas City’s busy Country Club Plaza to offer free listening to anyone who wanted to share. C.J. Durham, a Rockhurst junior who took part in the project, said many passers-by were responsive, especially when he focused on nonverbal communication cues like body language and eye contact. Modeled after similar free listening events, such as the Urban Confessional project pioneered by Los Angeles actor Benjamin Mathes, the effort sought to teach students about the importance of empathetic listening and face-to-face communication in an age where many young people would rather use electronic communication. “It’s a simple concept in a lot of ways, but listening is as close to an act of pure service as one can get,” Janusik said.

Kendra Gagnon, PT, Ph.D., associate professor of physical therapy, checks on J.D. Horbelt as he begins to drive his GoBabyGo! mobility vehicle.

xploring one’s world is an important part of childhood development, says Kendra Gagnon, PT, Ph.D., associate professor of physical therapy. But that exploration can be difficult for children born with physical disabilities.

Gagnon, with some help from students in the Rockhurst physical therapy and engineering programs, has started a Kansas City chapter of GoBabyGo!, a program stemming from the work of University of Delaware professor Cole Galloway to find a less expensive and more accessible alternative to conventional mobility aides by customizing powered children’s toy cars. By bringing together physical therapy and engineering programs, she said GoBabyGo! also provides hands-on experience for the students. “They’re getting that experience with working together with someone with a different background,” Gagnon said. “They’re learning a lot from each other.” The first build day in February produced four vehicles for children in the Kansas City area. In addition to switches and padding designed to help the child get around, second-year physical therapy student Brian Olmstead said the vehicles themselves, bearing familiar characters, also help the children fit in among their peers. “You give him this car and he gets to be the cool kid, and his mom has to tell him to slow down,” he said. “That ability to kind of get into trouble is really important to social and physical development.”

To see a video about the new GoBabyGo! program at Rockhurst, visit rockhurst.edu/gobabygo. 6

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Rock Report

Students Find Common Ground With Mentoring Program

(Left) Rockhurst University junior Dominique Washington talks to students at Kansas City’s Central Academy of Excellence as part of the RU Black Student Union’s mentoring program. (Right) Kelsey Burrus, vice president of the Rockhurst University Black Student Union, talks to students during a mentoring session.

eginning in the spring 2015 semester, members of Rockhurst University’s Black Student Union started to work with high-school freshmen in an ongoing mentoring partnership at Central Academy of Excellence. And both sides are finding they have plenty to learn from each other. Kelsey Burrus, the vice president of BSU, said she was introduced through an internship to Central Principal Larry Gray, who worked with her to establish a mentoring program. Each week, 10 members of the BSU went to Central to meet with their individual mentees, presenting a range of lessons about life. Each month is a different theme.

“In February, the theme was ‘Pave the Way,’ in honor of Black History Month,” Burrus said. “In March, it was self-improvement, so we talked to them about self-image and had them present about their own goals.” Though communicating with the younger students wasn’t easy at first, Burrus said the experience getting to know them and help them open up has been helpful for everyone. “I think we’re learning the value of experience, and how everyone’s experiences make them who they are, how they view the world and what they choose to pursue,” she said. “So it’s important to just embrace other people’s experience.”

Couple Honored for Spirit of Magis

Each year, Rockhurst honors someone who has made outstanding contributions to the St. Louis and Rockhurst communities at the annual Magis Award dinner. This year’s honorees are Jim, ’73, and Karen Castellano. The Castellanos will receive the award during a banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. “Jim and Karen exemplify Magis,” said Ann Zanaboni, the University’s regional gift officer who represents the St. Louis area. “They are continually doing more for others and giving more of themselves by allowing their faith to lead them to more opportunities. They are pillars of the St. Louis community who have allowed God’s greater glory to flow through them. We are truly blessed to have them as part of the Rockhurst family.” Named for one of the University’s six Jesuit core values, the Magis Award was inspired by a group of RU alumni from St. Louis as a way to honor those who represent the Jesuit value of “magis,” or “more,” in their daily lives. To register for the dinner, visit rockhurst.edu/magisaward.

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Planetary Research Gives Physics Professor Unique Perspective

Mark Pecaut, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics

ark Pecaut, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics, said learning more about the universe has long been his passion.

“I really got interested in high school,” he said. “I read a book about pulsars and neutron stars and black holes, and that really blew my mind.” While finishing his doctoral work at the University of Rochester in New York, Pecaut participated in two important research efforts sparked by a discovery he made while researching young stars in the Centaurus and Scorpius constellations. One project led to the discovery of J1407b, a massive planet with Saturn-like rings. That discovery has been expanded upon and highlighted in National Geographic.

The other effort resulted in a widely cited journal article that amended the established age of a cluster of stars in Upper Scorpius that is used as a benchmark for dating other stars. Pecaut said his research experience often comes out in the classroom. He said he works to encourage undergraduate research, when possible. And Pecaut said he emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and rigorous scientific inquiry, even when it comes to what seem like established facts. “Students come in and think that they are learning the absolute truth, and what they don’t always realize is that in science, how you know is just as important as what you know,” he said.

“I really got interested in high school. I read a book about pulsars and neutron stars and black holes, and that really blew my mind.” 8

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Rock Report

Three to Continue Scholarly Pursuits After Retirement

(From left) Patricia Cleary Miller, Ph.D.; Michael Tansey, Ph.D.; and Shirley Scritchfield, Ph.D.

n May, three long-time faculty members retired from their full-time roles at Rockhurst University. None of them plans to take it easy, however.

In her 32 years in Rockhurst’s English department, Patricia Cleary Miller, Ph.D., loved guiding her students from frightened freshmen to confident adults. Her colleagues describe her as the fashionable face of the humanities division, bringing passion, elegance, and wit to the University. As professor emerita, Miller will further her dedication to teaching in service of God’s glory by helping raise scholarship funds for college students. She will keep writing the poetry she started on her recent sabbatical, while continuing to support local and national writing programs. In 1982, Michael Tansey, Ph.D., accepted a job in the economics department. During that time, Tansey said he has seen the University grow in size and in beauty.

He has also had a hand in the growth of the Helzberg School of Management with his involvement in the creation of the DO/MBA dual degree program. As professor emeritus, Tansey says he plans to teach courses and to publish papers with his colleagues. With more than 40 years of higher education experience, about a quarter of which were spent at Rockhurst University, Shirley Scritchfield, Ph.D., has decided to move away from teaching to focus on her other passion: cultural diversity and racial equality. She said that a commitment to social justice is a fire that has burned in her since she was a child. In her post-retirement life, the professor emerita said she will continue her work on racial equality and the study of white privilege.

Faculty Kudos Jason Arthur, Ph.D., associate professor of English, wrote an essay titled “Good Riddance to the Goodbye-toNew-York Essay,” which appeared in the online literary and culture magazine The Rumpus, which has a broad, international readership. Ken Mellard, ’75, ’86 MBA, director of leadership studies, was elected by the Cristo Rey Kansas City High School Board of Directors to serve as board chairman for two years.

Anne Pearce, associate professor of art and director of the Greenlease Gallery, gave a gallery talk on March 7 at Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art in conjunction with her exhibition This Is How I Feel When I Think About You, which appeared there Feb. 6-March 21.

For more faculty news, visit rockhurst.edu/facultykudos. rockhurst.edu

Coach’s Retirement Signals End of Era

or more than 21 years you could see Bill O’Connor encouraging his players from the sidelines. But at the end of the 2014-15 basketball season, the Rockhurst head men’s basketball coach announced it would be his last. O’Connor had been contemplating retirement for a couple of years, but he said at the end of this season, he felt he had taken the team as far as he could and it was time for someone else to take the reigns. “We’re in a situation where we need to keep getting better and better because our league keeps getting better and better,” he said. “The coaching job at RU is a tremendous opportunity and I know whoever comes in will feel the same type of enthusiasm and sense of challenge that I did and will be able to take the team to the next level.” O’Connor will leave the Hawks as its all-time winningest coach with 271 victories. During his tenure, O’Connor took 11 teams to post-season play highlighted by three NCAA Division II tournament appearances. He was named the Heartland Conference coach of the year in 2000 and 2003 and the Great Lakes Valley Conference coach of the year in 2009. O’Connor said he will really miss Rockhurst, the relationships that he built with the other coaches and players, helping teams become better and playing high-quality opponents, but he won’t miss late-night bus trips. While O’Connor has no definitive plans for the future, he said he wants to spend some of his time volunteering in the Kansas City area.

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(Left) Bill O’Connor (Above) Coach Bill O’Connor talks to his players during a 2005 men’s basketball game.

Rock Report

Loyola Park Enhancements Begin

he end of this baseball season marked the start of the highly anticipated renovations to Loyola Park’s baseball field.

The project includes the addition of new dugouts, along with a brand new backstop and wall. The current fencing will be taken down and replaced with netting. New seating will also be added, along with restrooms and a press box. “This will truly transform Loyola Park, said Gary Burns, director of athletics. “It is not only beneficial for our players, but it will help in our recruiting efforts. We’re also excited to see how this enriches the overall Rockhurst fan experience at our games.” Raising the $750,000 to fund these enhancements was a group effort, Burns said. “A number of Rockhurst alumni, former players, parents and friends, made this possible,” he said. “But we could not have come near the scope of this project without the incredible generosity of our major contributors, including Jim Myers, ’68, the Joseph W. Kaminski Trust, the Stephanie A. Kaminski Trust, and the Rose M. Kaminski Charitable Trust.”

Changes, Challenges Motivate New Lacrosse Coach

olly McCourt, the new head women’s lacrosse coach, is not worried when she faces new challenges. She’s used to it.

For much of her career, McCourt has coached in a culture other than her own, an experience she said gave her the ability to adapt. A 2006 graduate of the University of Maryland, McCourt has coached the Wales women’s national lacrosse team as well as the HLC Rot-Weiss Munchen women’s lacrosse team, German U19, and German women’s national lacrosse team. When she first started coaching in Germany, she did not know the German language. Also, in Germany, sick players don’t play. It was sometimes challenging for McCourt to adapt to this way of thinking. Most of McCourt’s players were also highly educated professionals, so she had to learn to be flexible so as to accommodate every player’s needs and schedules. Coming to Rockhurst, McCourt said she has brought those lessons and learned new ones, like how to strengthen a relatively new program. But she said in many other ways, it has been a great fit.

Molly McCourt

“I kind of lucked out in that things fell into place for me here,” said McCourt, who wants to make a career of coaching. “It’s an awesome environment to be around. Rockhurst is very supportive and the athletic department is very supportive. I chose it, but it chose me too.”

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The Very Rev. Ronald Mercier, provincial of the U.S. Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus, accepts final vows from Rockhurst University President the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J.

Final Vows Mark Fr. Curranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Full Acceptance into the

Society of Jesus O n Saturday, May 2, Rockhurst University President the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., professed his solemn vows during a Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church, becoming a full member of the Society of Jesus and completing the latest leg of a journey he said was more than 30 years in the making.

Ordained in 1984 as a member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, in 2011 Fr. Curran entered a three-year probationary period before being called by the Superior General of the Jesuits, the Very Rev. Adolfo Nicolas, to profess his final vows. He was welcomed by the Very Rev. Ronald Mercier, S.J., provincial of the U.S. Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus, at the end of a ceremony surrounded by family, friends, and members of the Rockhurst and Jesuit communities. The next day, Fr. Curran celebrated his first Mass as a Jesuit at St. Francis Xavier Church with students from Rockhurst.

To see more photos from Fr. Curranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final vows Mass, visit rockhurst.edu/finalvows. 12

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Rock Report

(Top left) Approximately 30 members of different religious communities were concelebrants at the Mass. (Top right) St. Francis Xavier Church before the ceremony. (Middle left) Fr. Mercier presents a vow cross to Fr. Curran and welcomes him as a Jesuit. (Middle right) The recession from St. Francis Xavier. (Bottom left) The vow cross, once belonging to the Rev. James Veltrie, S.J. (1934-2015), is a symbol of Fr. Curranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acceptance into the Society. (Bottom right) Members of Fr. Curranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family look on during the Mass.

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RU Through and Through story By Jennifer Price

If you have a brother, sister, parent, grandparent — or aunt or uncle in a Catholic religious order — who has a Rockhurst degree or is attending RU, you are a legacy. Meet three legacy families who have kept the Rockhurst tradition going. The Clunes and the Cindriches Imagine walking into your first class as a freshman and knowing the professor also taught your father and grandfather. Welcome to the world of Rockhurst University legacy families. This scenario rings true for many Hawks, including the Clunes. “Fr. (Joseph) Freeman (S.J.) taught three generations of our family,” said Kevin Clune, ’74. “He was a big part of our lives. I remember him coming over to our house growing up. It seemed so normal to me.” Kevin’s father, Robert Clune, ’49, was the first in his family to attend college. “I remember going to every single basketball game in 1964 with dad,” said Kevin. “Mason-Halpin was packed every night shoulder-to-shoulder.” Three of Robert’s four children with wife Patricia went to Rockhurst,

Summer 2015

including Kevin, Jeanine (Clune) Cindrich, ’75, and Annette (Clune) Mellard, ’80. The other attended Saint Louis University. Kevin and his wife, Mary Kay (Barry), had three children who attended RU, including Eileen (Clune) Forbes, ’96, Matt, ’98, and Connor, ’02. Matt married fellow Hawk Katie (Fischer), ’98, and Connor did likewise, marrying Christine (Hitler), ’03. And that’s just the beginning. Jeanine’s three children all went to RU, including Matt Cindrich, ’05, who married Hillary (Nahajzer), ’05, Ben Cindrich, ’07, who married Julia (Creekmore), ’07, and Laura (Cindrich) Foote, ’09, who somehow bucked the trend and married a Kansas State University graduate, Greg Foote. “Each kid considered other universities,” said Jeanine. “But, in the end, Continued on page 16

The Clunes and the Cindriches

(Top) The Cindrich family, fall 2014 (Bottom) The Clune and Cindrich families, taken at the wedding of Matt, â&#x20AC;&#x2122;98, and Katie (Fischer) Clune, â&#x20AC;&#x2122;98, in December 2008

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Continued from page 15

Rockhurst won them over because of the small community feeling and attention from professors.” Jeanine met her husband, Michael Cindrich, ’74, when their friends set them up on a date in 1973. Annette remembers meeting her husband, Gary Mellard, ’80, in the Convocation Center. “I was a volleyball team walk-on,” she said. “He was the sports editor for The Hawk and came down to the court to interview our team. We started dating a few months after that, and have been married almost 30 years.”

The Hubers and the Reichmeiers (Top) John Reichmeier, ’53 (Middle, from left) Joan (Reichmeier) Huber, ’83, John (Jack) Reichmeier, ’77, Janet (Reichmeier) Burns, ’80, Julie (Reichmeier) Leroy, ’79, John (Jack), ’53, and Julianne (Judy) Reichmeier (Bottom) Current Rockhurst students John Reichmeier, ’16, and Joseph Huber, ’17

The Hubers and the Reichmeiers Many legacies have found love on the RU campus, including couples from our next family in the spotlight: The Hubers and Reichmeiers. Joan (Reichmeier) Huber, ’83, met future husband Dennis, ’82, her sophomore year. “It was at the Delt house,” she laughed. “I had just come from Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s annual Boxer Rebellion and Dennis was the bouncer. We’ll be married 30 years this coming September.” Both Joan and Dennis are part of legacy families of their own. Joan’s father, John Reichmeier, ’53, a Rockhurst legend in the athletic hall of fame, also attended, along with her siblings Jack Reichmeier, ’77, Julie (Reichmeier) Leroy, ’79, married to Kevin Leroy, ’79, and Janet (Reichmeier) Burns, ’80, who is married to Gary Burns, RU’s director of athletics. Two of Dennis and Joan’s children, Jennifer (Huber) Pestinger, ’10, and Joseph Huber, ’17, a current student, decided to follow in their parents’ footsteps. So did their cousin John Reichmeier, ’16, son of Jack. “When Jennifer expressed interest in going to Rockhurst, we were thrilled,” said Joan. “I remember taking the official tour like we’d never been to campus before. Joe was looking for somewhere to play baseball, and to our surprise chose Rockhurst over several other Division I baseball offers.” “Anything can happen with baseball,” said Joe. “I guess I just decided to put education above athletics.”

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As the oldest of nine children, Dennis chose Rockhurst because his mentor and high school teacher mentioned it to him. Three of his siblings did the same, including Tim Huber, ’88, married to Jacqueline (Miller) Huber, who attended RU briefly, Mary Ann (Huber) Gremaud, ’91, and Chris Huber, ’98, who married fellow Hawk Corrie (Hitpas), ’99, ’01 DPT.

The Carters

Cameron, ’18, and Gregg Carter, ’82

Dennis’ brother Robert also has a son, Kyle, ’07, who attended Rockhurst, along with Kyle’s wife, Michelle (Webb), ’07. The Carters Not all legacy families span multiple generations — at least not yet. It’s a little easier to follow the Carter family legacy, which includes Gregory Carter, ’82, and his daughter Cameron, ’18. “I started as a UMKC student,” said Gregg. “Because of overcrowding, I ended up living in Corcoran Hall on RU’s campus. Naturally, I got to know more students at Rockhurst.”

When the time came for Cameron to look at colleges, she admits she had no intention of going to Rockhurst. “I remember coming here for a visit with dad,” said Cameron. “I listened to him reminisce — ‘Cameron, see that hill? I used to walk that way to class. There’s Sedgwick. I had so many classes there.’ He has so many Rockhurst stories. “I tried to push it out of my mind,” she said. “But it just felt right. So, I followed my heart.” And that was fine with Gregg. “My chest was puffing out as much as it could,” Gregg admits. “I was so proud and happy. And I’ll be even happier when she walks across the stage at graduation.”

In a twist of events, his former Boy Scout master, Fr. Nick Rashford, S.J., also lived in Corcoran. “We would hang out and talk, so I mentioned my idea of transferring,” said Gregg. “It was the best decision I ever made.”

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Rockhurst

Faculty Revealed

Photos and Story by Estuardo Garcia

College professors have been known to have idiosyncratic personalities with sometimes matching surroundings. Rockhurst University isn’t an exception. Take a look inside a few faculty offices to see what secrets their work spaces hold.

Mindy Walker, Ph.D. Associate

Professor of Biology

When your research involves animals, it’s helpful to keep one or two live specimens around. Meet Monty, the ball python, and Noodles, the corn snake. While slithering office mates might give some the heebie-jeebies, Mindy Walker says they have a calming effect on her and they are a big hit with students. “Students regularly come in to visit and hold them to get their ‘pet fix’,” she said. She added that the snakes are “a great teaching tool for show-and-tell.” Walker said it’s fitting to keep live animals around in her department and when the aging Monty and Noodle’s times are up, she plans to seek out new companions.

Summer 2015

Charles Kovich, Ph.D. Professor of English For three decades Charles Kovich has been decorating his office door with quotes, photos, cartoons, news articles and just about anything he thinks is interesting. Kovich started his collection with a quote that he copied and cut out onto a piece of paper. The quote reads, “Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.” “I really liked this quote and I shared it with my students, but I could only reach so many students that way,” he said. “I put it on my door so anybody who walked by could read it.” From then on, other inspirational clippings began to make their way onto his door. Today, approximately 100 items pepper the portal to his office. Continued on page 20

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Continued from page 19

Tony Tocco, Ph.D.

Professor of Accounting

If you were to peer into the office of Tony Tocco, you might think you’ve stumbled upon the nest of a packrat. Tocco would disagree with you. He describes himself as only being 60 percent packrat. Despite not having used many of the items in his office for years, Tocco keeps them because he knows where a majority of the items are. “Those who have a neat office will never know the feeling of finding something that you thought had been lost forever,” he said. “That’s the mantra that I live by.” His system of organization may seem a little scattered, but it boils down to something beautifully simple: keep the important things close at hand. Some of those important items include his Bible, which he reads every day, his students’ papers, which he’ll keep for two years, and a picture of his grandchild, his first. He said about once a year he gets overwhelmed with the clutter or maybe trips over something, which sends him into a cleaning frenzy over the summer. This will prepare his office for the next academic year where the cycle will start all over again.

Summer 2015

Glenn Young, Ph.D. Assistant

Professor of Theology and Religious Studies On the spectrum of messy to austere faculty offices, Glenn Young’s falls closer to the latter. One of the few items adorning his walls is a sign that reads, “Welcome to the cloud of unknowing.” Young describes the cloud of unknowing as a realm beyond speech and thought, a kind of empty awareness, which he says kind of describes his office. He’s managed to successfully incorporate some hand-me-down furniture like a desk and a rocking chair — a student favorite — but hasn’t done much with his walls. He is planning to change that when he makes the move to Arrupe Hall this summer. Among the items that will grace the walls of Young’s new office are pictures of family, an original illustration of the X-Men’s Jean Grey/Phoenix and a print of “Christ the Bridegroom.” He said the super hero “suggests the hidden depths present within the human being,” and the painting of Christ “suggests the intimate, loving connection between the human and divine.”

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Monika Alvidrez, Manny Macias, â&#x20AC;&#x2122;09, and Claudia Alvidrez of Miratti.

Summer 2015

HAWK STARS BY TIM LINN

rom Latin pop stars to cross-country motorcycle troubadours, there’s no doubt that Rockhurst University alumni possess more than their fair share of musical talent. They may have different styles, but they are joined by their shared love of music. Top of the Charts Manny Macias, ’09, said his interest in music had been lifelong, but he never thought it could become his career. Since 2010, Macias has been a dancer and a singer in the Latin pop crossover band Miratti, which means “in the target.” “My mom and my dad sing, and a lot of my uncles were in bands in Mexico,” Macias says, “so I was always exposed to music.” Macias has always been passionate about dance, and in 2010 was invited by middle-school friend and singer Raul Ayala to be a dancer in Miratti’s first performance. The four current members, including sisters Claudia and Monika Alvidrez, eventually began sharing vocals. “From there, it just exploded,” he said. After catching the attention of singer Fedra Cooper and L.A.-based Trigga Entertainment,

Miratti’s single “La Noche Provoca” reached the top five on DJ Times magazine’s Latin House chart. Sessions with top producers and high-profile shows like the Winter Music Conference in Miami followed. The group is now working on solidifying major label support. Once aspiring to be a doctor, Macias said he now is focused on developing skills for a career in music, and trying to keep the newfound success in perspective. “We’ve always been the type of people who have tried to work hard and give thanks to God,” he said. “And we have our families to keep our feet on the ground.” Singing for a Cause For John Evans Velghe, ’92, music is not only the way he makes a good portion of his living, it’s also the way he makes a difference. Velghe said he was in bands through high school and at Rockhurst, Continued on page 24

To watch music videos from John Velghe and Miratti, visit rockhurst.edu/hawkstars.

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Continued from page 23

including an ensemble with Steve Brown, Ph.D., professor of psychology. In the early 2000s, Velghe garnered major label interest as part of Kansas City band the Daybirds. When a deal fell apart, the band did, too. Velghe’s interest in making music sagged. “For a few years I was really disillusioned,” he said. “But I woke up one morning and realized I was terribly unhappy, because I wasn’t doing what I loved.” After easing himself back into writing, he’s released two albums of material. Velghe’s most recent, “Organ Donor Blues,” was released on the Lakeshore Records label and based partially on a string of painful losses close to him. It inspired an 18-day, 3,000-mile motorcycle tour in the summer of 2014 to raise awareness and funds for Transplant Recipients International Organization. Concert venues ranged from bars to a home for patients and their families awaiting organ transplants. It was an unforgettable experience, Velghe said. “People would come up to me and thank us for what we were doing and it was a very genuine response from these people for whom this is reality,” he said. “The tour taught me a lot — namely, that there’s nothing replacing getting out of your comfort zone.” Science and Sound

John Evans Velghe, ’92

Tom Sack, Ph.D., ’80, said for him, music has been a recent discovery. Sack offered to play jaw harp with a group of friends from church who played music — a group that also includes Jim Julo, ’84, on guitar and dobro. He soon found himself learning both the guitar and mandolin for the Burnt Ends, a band that for more than a decade has played everything from bluegrass to folk and even traditional Irish songs in the Kansas City area. Performing music quickly became a major part of his life. “My only regret is that I didn’t learn to do this when I was 5,” he said. For Sack, the president and CEO of Kansas City-based research company MRIGlobal, music is not a career — most Burnt Ends gigs are church picnics or charity events — but he said there’s still plenty of value in it. “It’s a challenge, kind of like a puzzle for me,” he said. “I started playing because I had a group of people to perform with, and that helps you learn quickly. But I also love it because it engages a part of your head that’s totally different than the part that manages a company or thinks about science.”

Summer 2015

Tom Sack, Ph.D., ’80

From Courtroom to Orchestra Pit Music has always been a part of Patrick McAnany’s life. But that’s about the only constant, said the ’65 graduate and current judge on the Kansas Court of Appeals. McAnany studied classical guitar in high school and at Rockhurst was part of a folk group that included his future wife. He was also in a jazz-combo-turned-rock-band, the Counselors, for 30 years. But he said his latest adventure is perhaps the one closest to his heart. “It’s definitely not a new love,” he said. “From childhood on, classical music is what has been with me the longest.” At age 50, McAnany began private lessons for a new instrument — the violin. “Everybody thought I was crazy, because most people start violin lessons at age 5 or 6,” he joked. As part of the Overland Park Orchestra, McAnany continues to expand both his understanding of the violin and of music in general. Performing so many different kinds of music is more of a collaborative outlet, as opposed to what McAnany called his relatively solitary role as a judge —true to his Jesuit, liberal arts education, he said he believes it also makes him a better person. “I don’t think that I’m a better judge because I play music,” he said. “I think music makes me a more well-rounded person. And I think good judges are typically well-rounded people, because it allows us to better understand the people in the courtroom.”

Patrick McAnany, ’65

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FOR ALUMNI ’65 Sam J. Enna, Ph.D., associate dean for research and professor of physiology and pharmacology at the University of Kansas Medical School, was named the first recipient of the UMKC School of Pharmacy Graduate Alumnus of the Year Award. The award is given to recognize outstanding service to the pharmaceutical profession, the scientific community and UMKC. Rich Grawer was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Nov. 6, 2014, in a ceremony in St. Charles, Missouri. Grawer coached at Saint Louis University and DeSmet Jesuit High School and played on the ’64 Rockhurst College basketball championship team. David Martin retired in 2007 from Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing Central Inc., located in Emporia, Kansas. He has kept busy with volunteer work, including playing piano for assisted and independent living facilities in Chillicothe, Missouri. In October 2013 he married Nicole Schneider, a 1961 St. Joseph Academy High School classmate. Although the school closed in 1969 Martin has organized two all-school reunions since returning to his hometown in 2010.

Jim Riley, Ph.D., has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) for contributions in analysis, modeling and computations of transitioning and turbulent phenomena. Election to NAE is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to a person in his field of research and teaching. He is a PACCAR professor of engineering, department of mechanical engineering, at the University of Washington in Seattle.

’66 John Lepetit and his wife, Joanne, have established a nonprofit tutorial organization, Quality Student Tutoring/Teaching, for the benefit of students in grades one through 12. QST serves students in northern Colorado. Its mission is to provide academic support for students, regardless of their economic ability to pay. Thus far, QST has served more than 120 students, and has a goal of 400. The program consists of one-on-one tutorial sessions and a summer Academic Learning Program. Joanne serves as the executive director while John is a senior consultant and tutor.

’69 Jim Downs is co-author of the book The Language of

Stay Connected You’re part of the Rockhurst University community. That means you belong to an organization that’s changing the world one leader at a time. Don’t miss out on news meant for you. Go to rockhurst.edu/update and update your information today. Be sure to share your email address to receive the latest University and alumni news.

Marketing Technology, which is a reference for anyone who wants to understand and profit from direct marketing technology in the digital age. Rev. Bruce Forman celebrated his 40th anniversary as a priest in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. He also celebrated the 40th annniversary of The Young Catholic Musicians orchestra and choir, which he founded in 1974. He is pastor at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in St. Louis, in the Historic Soulard Neighborhood, and directs The Young Catholic Musicians at monthly Masses at various churches in the St. Louis area and at concerts and on tours.

’73 James Castellano was included in Ingram’s magazine’s list of 50 Missourians You Should Know.

’75, ’86 MBA Kenneth Mellard was elected by the Cristo Rey Kansas City High School Board of Directors to serve as board chairman for two years. The school is part

Connect with Rockhurst University through your favorite social networks.

of the Cristo Rey Network, which comprises 28 Catholic, college preparatory high schools for underrepresented urban youth. Through rigorous academics, coupled with real-world work experience, Cristo Rey students graduate high school prepared for success in college and in life.

’76, ’81 MBA Kenneth Kleffner has been appointed auditor of Johnson County, Kansas. He joined the Johnson County Audit Services Office in April 2008 and leads a team of auditors responsible for objectively evaluating the effectiveness of all Johnson County government operations, services and programs.

’80 Tom Sack, president and CEO of MRIGlobal, was included in Ingram’s magazine’s list of 50 Missourians You Should Know.

’90 Joe Reardon was appointed president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority in February 2015.

ROCKHURST.EDU

’90 EMBA Lawrence M. Drake II completed his doctoral degree in psychology from Fielding Graduate University. He retired from The Coca-Cola Company in 2007 where in his final assignment he served as President/ CEO of the West Africa Division of the company. He is currently President/CEO of LEADership Education and Development, the country’s leading youth talent development organization, located in Atlanta, Georgia. Drake also serves as chairman and COO of HOPE360, Inc., a firm that specializes in leadership development, organizational design and executive coaching.

Submit a Class Note We’d love to hear from you. Submit a class note online at rockhurst.edu/classnotes.

’01, ’03 O.T. Katie Ryan-Bloomer and her husband Brent Bloomer welcomed their first child, Joseph Ryan Bloomer, on Oct. 11, 2014. The baby weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces and was 20 inches long.

’93 Micah L. Hobbs was named partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon in January 2015 and is a member of the firm’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation group. She represents clients including Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Company, Bausch & Lomb, Covidien and C.R. Bard. Hobbs received her J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law (1996), where she was a member of the Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal.

’02 M.S. Holly Godfrey, CCC-SLP, was named rehabilitation manager at Truman Medical Center-Hospital Hill, Kansas City, Missouri. She has been with TMC for four years.

’05 Greta Grothe has been named head women’s basketball coach at the University of Dallas, an NCAA Division III institution. The Lady Crusaders play in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

’93 Andrea Trozzolo-James received her doctorate of art in the fall 2014 from the University of Canterbury. TrozzoloJames has taught art in Kansas City Public Schools for 22 years, 14 of those years have been at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy. She oversees the International Baccalaureate Curriculum and is the chair of the fine arts department at Lincoln Prep.

’01 Roi Chinn is running for Missouri secretary of state in 2016.

’06 MBA Christine Pierson, executive vice president of the Consumer and Small Business Services Division at UMB Bank, was recognized Nov. 11, 2014, by American Banker as one of the Top 25 Women in Banking to Watch. At UMB, she oversees the $17 billion-asset company’s 112 branches, its service center and its online and mobile banking.

’07 Rev. Simon (Carl) Baker, O.S.B., was ordained to the priesthood April 24, 2015, at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, Kansas.

’01 Jacqueline (Barnes) and William “Greer” Almquist welcomed their twins, Mary Elizabeth “Libby” and William “Hale” on Feb. 6, 2015. They are the first grandchildren for James A. Barnes, ’75, and Kathy Farrell.

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for alumni

Q&A

With Joe McClernon,

Ph.D., ’92, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Did you know tobacco use is responsible for 480,000 preventable deaths in the U.S. each year? Meet the Rockhurst psychology alumnus making great strides to reduce this number through his research on tobacco addiction. Joe McClernon, ’92

"I’m proud of what I’ve been able to build over the last 15 years as one of the leading labs in the country for investigating tobacco addiction, as well as the positive influence we’ve had in the lives of so many smokers and their families."

Q. How did you become interested in tobacco use as a field of study? A: After graduating from Rockhurst, I was a research assistant at MRIGlobal with a group that looked at the psychological aspects of smoking. I was immediately hooked. I wanted to know why people continue to smoke when they know it is bad for them. Why do they relapse after quitting for years? And what are the neural underpinnings of tobacco addiction and relapse? Q. What are some of your findings? A: Each day we have a better understanding of how smoking affects the brain, and what happens to your brain when a smoker quits. We’ve begun to uncover brain markers that predict whether a smoker will be successful or not in quitting. This lays the foundation for treatments that modulate brain function in ways that improve outcomes. Sounds like science fiction, but these kinds of treatments are already approved for other psychiatric conditions. Q. What are some quitting tactics you’ve researched? A: It doesn’t make sense to expect smokers to wake up one morning and quit without any other changes in their lives. New therapies seek to break or lessen cigarette addiction before smokers try to quit by having them wear a nicotine patch or by unlearning associations between different kinds of situations and the urge to smoke. We’re also researching new options for regulating tobacco products, like removing all nicotine from cigarettes. Q. What moment are you most proud of in your career so far? A: I’m proud of what I’ve been able to build over the last 15 years as one of the leading labs in the country for investigating tobacco addiction, as well as the positive influence we’ve had in the lives of so many smokers and their families. Q. How did Rockhurst prepare you for this work? A: My first psychology professor at RU, Martin Meade, Ph.D., opened my eyes to the field. He was a fantastic teacher, mentor and friend throughout the years. Looking back, Rockhurst’s intense emphasis on writing and critical thinking prepared me well for graduate school and my career. And, as fate would have it, I met my wife, Emily (Bryde), ’93, in one of my psychology classes.

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Learning Center Renamed to Honor Two Families In March, Rockhurst University hosted a reception for the family members of the Charles L. Aylward and John E. Dunn families as the University unveiled the newly renamed Aylward-Dunn Learning Center in honor of two of the University’s longtime supporters. (Back row, from left) Rockhurst University President Thomas B. Curran, S.J.; Sara Keenan, Learning Center learning strategies coordinator; Paivi Giannios, Learning Center writing coordinator; and Ann Volin, Ph.D., Learning Center director. (Front row, from left) Jean Dunn, Gwen Aylward, Bill Dunn and Chuck Aylward.

’07 Mary Pimmel-Freeman served as artist in residence at Marquette University as part of the University’s mission week. She painted a portrait of Marquette alumnus and slain journalist James Foley. Elizabeth Long has been accepted into the Peace Corps and has begun training as a health extension volunteer in Mozambique. During her first three months, Long will live with a host family and then will be sworn into service and assigned to a Mozambique community for two years.

’07 MBA Todd Shaffer, M.D., was elected as chair-elect of the Council of Academic Family Medicine (CAFM) at the Winter AAFP Working Party Meeting and will become chair in August. He is currently the president of the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors and is the program director of the UMKC Family Medicine Residency Program in Kansas City, Missouri. CAFM consists of the leadership of the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors, the North American Primary Care Research Group and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.

’09 Adam Bales and Lindsey Smith, ’12 DPT, were married April 20, 2013, in Collinsville, Illinois. Adam received his medical degree from KCUMB in 2013 and is in his third year of anesthesia residency at Saint Louis University Hospital and Lindsey is a physical therapist at Apex Physical Therapy in St. Louis. The wedding party included Rockhurst alumni Chris Standley, ’01, Ben Perkins, ’09, ’12 DPT, Ryan Field, ’09, Erin Bales, ’12, and Sawyer Davison, ’12 DPT. The couple lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

’10 Dr. Laura Rues established Kansas City Integrative Health in Overland Park, Kansas, in October 2014. She is a naturopathic medical doctor, focusing in alternative and integrative medicine for women’s health, including infertility options beyond IVF. Brianne (Keuchl) Wesche teaches special needs students at Northwood School in Raytown, Missouri. Her class designed a flag that hung over a penguin research colony in Antarctica.

’10 M.S. ’08, ’10 MBA Annie Seago Lehwald and her husband, Steven Lehwald, welcomed their daughter, Sadie Anne, on Oct. 29, 2014.

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Kristen McPharlin Knapp, CCC-SLP, started her own practice with a focus on supporting families during daily routines and activities to help them implement therapeutic strategies for speech, language and feeding development.

for alumni

Career Center

tips

to Enhance Your Organization’s Digital Presence

1 Find Compelling Content When it comes to websites

and social media, many organizations still subscribe to a build-it-and-they-willcome mindset. But you must offer a compelling reason for people to visit your site. This requires a sound content strategy. You must also have a targeting strategy to be visible to the right people at the right time.

Connect With Your Audience

Don't just start filling the Internet with your brochure copy and with links to articles you find interesting. Put yourself in the target audiences’ shoes. What information would you want to receive from your organization? Take the time to plan and strategize the right voice for your business and your customers.

Diversify, With a Purpose

Social media is a great way to expose an audience to your brand culture and voice. That said, you must allow that voice to be authentic, or it can easily create confusion among your followers, potential clients and employees. Our company uses Twitter, Facebook and Instagram all differently and has a team dedicated to keeping the strategy clear and consistent on each platform.

Maintain Your ‘Front Door’ Believe it or not, there are still business leaders out 4 there who think their online presence is not essential. If the front of their building were defaced by graffiti, they would clean it immediately rather than have it negatively impact business. But their outdated website that does not even load correctly on today’s web browsers is an after-thought. A company without a strategic digital presence is a company without a front door.

5 Decide What’s Best for You Technology is moving so fast. If your business promotes innovation and technology, it is your job to know what’s going on in your industry. And you online presence must indicate as such.

Maintaining a strong hold on the state of technology as it applies to you and your organization will help you avoid the “shiny new things” syndrome and allow you to make the best strategic decisions moving forward.

Meet the Expert

As president and CEO of Trozzolo Communications Group, Angelo Trozzolo, ’02 MBA, is involved in every aspect of the agency’s work. His business leadership is responsible for helping transform an eight-person direct marketing shop in the late-1990s into one of the region’s fastest growing and most sought after full-service communications firms today.

rockhurst.edu

Hawk Hangout

’11 Gabe, ’12 MBA, and Sarah (Farley) Jones celebrated the birth of their second child, Brigid Mae, on March 12, 2015. Brigid weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces and was 21 inches long.

’13 Joey Zanaboni is the play-by-play broadcaster and director of media and communications for the Orem Owlz 2015 season. The Orem Owlz are the rookie affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels and their home field is in Orem, Utah. A group of alumnae from the Class of 1989 gathered for a reunion Jan. 24-25 in Kansas City. Clockwise from top left: Mary Anne (Cummings) Reese, Christine (Aussieker) Klug, Michelle (Geraci) Hof, Mary (Brady) Charles, Sandra (Matya) Scheuler, Marcia (Case) Esola, Leslie (Salmons) Broker, Sarah (Prenger) Warren, Julie (Lawder) O’Brien, Kate (Stanley) Mehle and Beth (Fuegner) Crane. Send your Hawk Hangout pictures to alumni@ rockhurst.edu and you may see one in a future issue.

Faculty Memory

“Looking back at the thousands of conversations I’ve had with Dr. Michael Tansey, it’s nearly impossible to come up with just one memory. When I think of him, I remember questions he taught me to consider such as the idea that no economy is self-sufficient and that everything is both collective and interdependent. He’s a professor who constantly gets you thinking outside your comfort zone, which is something I very much respect.” — Carlos Setien, ’97, President, Contract Services Corp.

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’13 M.Ed. Rebecca Haden was chosen as the Rockhurst University nominee for Outstanding First Year Teacher. This award is presented by the Missouri Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (MACTE) every other year. Haden was honored at a luncheon in Jefferson City at the semiannual MACTE conference. She teaches French at Shawnee Mission South High School.

’14 Alexandra Meyers is serving a one-year volunteer commitment at San Lucas Mission in Guatemala. She became acquainted with the Mission during a service immersion trip during her senior year.

’15 M.Ed. Janine Fells was named Teacher of the Year at Ingles Elementary School in Hickman Mills, where she has taught first grade for nine years.

for alumni

from the chapters

After you leave the Rockhurst University campus, you remain a Hawk for life. Connect with Hawks in your hometown by checking the calendar at rockhurst.edu/alumni. Looking to organize a Rockhurst gathering where you live? Contact Mary Mooney Burns, ’93, at mary.burns@rockhurst.edu.

Alumni Night at the Ballgame Hundreds of alumni and their family members came back to campus Feb. 5 to celebrate Rockhurst’s annual Alumni Night at the Ballgame. Guests enjoyed dinner, men’s and women’s basketball games, appearances by Sluggerrr from the American League Champion Kansas City Royals and Rock E. Hawk, free glow-in-the-dark T-shirts and more.

Rockhurst vs. SLU On Dec. 2, 2014, alumni and friends watched the RU Hawks men’s basketball team take on the Saint Louis University Billikens at SLU’s Chaifetz Arena. (From left) Maureen Heitmann, ’84, and Kathleen Hummel, ’86.

Denver Botanic Gardens Denver alumni spent the evening at a holiday gathering at the city’s Botanic Gardens. (From left) Steven Garcia, ’09, Sara Basinger, Josie Kuhl, Derek Kuhl, ’08, Meghann Henry, Sara Terhune, ’03, ’11 M.S., Bethany Paul, Vince Carmellini, Jeff, ’09 EMBA, and Sarah Kleinschmidt and family, and Eric Budd, ’04.

Omaha Christmas Party Omaha area alumni, parents of current students, prospective students, and families came together with the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, president, and members of the Rockhurst staff at the annual Omaha holiday celebration, hosted by Denny, '70, Quinn, '97, and Colin Hogan, '00. (From left) Logan Jones, ’13, Sam Bevington, ’13, Nathan Yaffe, ’11, Monica Pflug, ’13, and Paul Hess, ’14.

rockhurst.edu

In Memoriam UPCOMING

EVENTS July 11

Alumni Night at “Cinderella” Enjoy a summer night with the family at Starlight Theatre.

Aug. 2 Omaha Alumni Night at the Storm Chasers Come out to Werner Park for an evening of baseball.

Aug. 22 Magis Award Dinner Join fellow alumni in honoring Karen and Jim, ’73, Castellano.

Aug. 29 Denver Alumni Night at the Colorado Rapids See Sporting Kansas City take on the Rapids. For more information, visit alumni.rockhurst.edu.

Edward A. Ronnau, ’36 — Dec. 21, 2014 Joseph W. Marnett, ’40 — March 25 Robert J. Malley, ’42 — Jan. 23 Hal Hendrix, ’43 — Feb. 12 Joseph C. Fagan, ’47 — March 31 Herbert E. Harris II, ’48 — Dec. 24, 2014 Edward T. Sayers, ’48 — March 21 Dr. Thomas J. Fritzlen, ’50 — Dec. 12, 2014 John Riley, ’50 — Feb. 12 Rev. Frances Stuart, OSB, ’50 — March 30 Thomas E. Walsh, ’50 — Nov. 14, 2014 John J. Wirtz, ’50 — March 26 Patrick J. Allegri, ’51 — March 15 John R. Cattanach Sr. ’51 — March 4 William Edwards, ’51 — Feb 19 G. Michael Putthoff, ’52 — Nov. 7, 2014 Patrick A. Rode, ’52 — Oct. 17, 2014 Grant H. Arnold Jr., ’53 — Feb 28 Sidney M. Cooke Jr., ’53 — Jan. 8 Arlie D. Vaughn, ’53 — Oct. 25, 2014 J. Theodore Fling, ’54 — Dec. 23, 2014 Thomas E. O’Shea, ’54 — Dec. 14, 2014 Bob H. Crosswhite, ’55 — March 26 Patrick E. Hartigan, JD, ’55 — Feb. 7 Vincent L. Murphy, ’55 — Dec. 12, 2014 Howard L. Thompson, ’56 — Jan. 4 James E. Bessenbacher, ’57 — Nov. 19, 2014 Daniel F. Land, ’57 — Jan. 11 Kevin F. Amick, ’59 — Oct. 19, 2014 Lawrence J. Murphy, ’59 — Nov. 9, 2014 Thomas G. Hughes, ’60 — Jan. 2 Lloyd K. West, ’60 — Dec. 23, 2014

William F. Yonke Jr., ’60 — Jan. 25 Quinten E. Kingland, ’62 — Oct. 29, 2014 Edward A. Schmiedeler, ’63 — Jan. 27 William C. Birchfield, ’65 — March 8 Charles T. Kueck, ’66 — Nov. 19, 2014 David G. Bartley, ’69 — Dec. 2, 2014 Conrad P. Campbell, ’69 — Oct. 19, 2014 John F. Clisbee, ’71 — March 20 David A. Daniels, ’71 — Feb. 9 Thomas P. McCullough, ’71 — March 22 Ronald E. Trayford, ’71 — Dec. 12, 2014 Samuel R. Santee III, ’72 — Nov. 16, 2014 Meyer L. Grojean, ’75 — March 13 John E. Flower, ’76 — Oct 21, 2014 Shane P. Coughlin, ’78 — Oct. 21, 2014 Michael Morado Jr., ’78 — Oct. 21, 2014 Chester W. Thompson, ’78 — Nov. 10, 2014 Saundra G. Ivory, ’81 — Feb. 24 John R. Kling, ’82 — Jan. 10 Michael E. Franken, ’89 MBA— Nov. 2, 2014 C. Edward Larcom, ’89 MBA — Dec. 23, 2014 Mitchell J. Adams, ’90 MBA — Jan. 26 Kathleen Conrardy, ’98 EMBA — Oct. 25, 2014 Dr. Melissa C (Burns) Krepps, ’98 — Feb. 23 Erica Ware, ’05 MBA — April 6 Cody Schuler, ’14 — Nov. 25, 2014

retro1983 rockhurst

In 1983, students, faculty and staff gathered around the high-tech equipment in the Rockhurst College computer center. The computer center was initially built in the early 1960s with a $140,000 IBM 1620, which could read up to 250 punched cards per minute.

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where

for alumni

are they now Catching up with former athletes

ulie Cook, ’09, ’11 M.Ed., was always a leader during her time at Rockhurst University. A member all four years on the women’s basketball team, Cook scored 1,000 points during her college career, earned the school’s Living the Mission award, served as president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and helped establish an ongoing relationship between the women’s basketball team and the Rose Brooks Center domestic violence shelter.

(Left) Julie Cook, ’09

That commitment to service and leadership continued for Cook, who after graduating in 2009 served for two years in a classroom at the KIPP Endeavor Academy in Kansas City as part of the Teach for America program, during which time she earned her master’s degree at Rockhurst. She was later named KIPP’s assistant school leader, a position that she said is a good fit with the lessons she learned at Rockhurst.

“Rockhurst started my career by instilling within me a passion to serve our community, and it has continued to play a role in my professional growth,” she said. “The values of leadership and service are not just words written on a bell tower that I pass every day, but actual living aspects of my life that are creating amazing change for students who are achieving more than they ever thought possible.”

Everyday Leaders

Retiree Keeps Busy Spreading Gratitude

f you’ve ever gotten a call from Rockhurst thanking you for your contributions or inviting you to an event, chances are, you’ve heard Jim Gleeson’s voice on the other end.

Gleeson, who graduated from Rockhurst in 1957, has been a volunteer at the University for more than seven years. In 2007, after finally retiring from the company he started, he was invited to be on the Golden Hawks committee to plan his class’s 50th anniversary reunion. Getting involved with Rockhurst for the planning committee, he said, reignited his love for the school. “I started to realize the value of a small school, what they were accomplishing and Jim Gleeson, ’57 what they were achieving with the student base that they had,” Gleeson said. “I really started to appreciate the fact that the KUs and the MUs didn’t really have anything on small schools.” When Gleeson was in school, the all-male college was working on the construction of Van Ackeren Hall and the Greenlease Library. Upon his return, he noticed how the footprint of the school had gotten even bigger and that more students now call the nest home. What was the biggest change? “Well, the food’s better,” he joked. Since his return to the University to volunteer, Gleeson has helped check thank-you and scholarship letters, as well as making thank-you calls. The 79-year-old said as long as he’s in good health he plans to continue volunteering one day a week for the foreseeable future.

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in closing

What Difference Does it Really Make? By Gladys Gossett Hankins, Ph.D, ’75, ’77 MBA

hat is it about human differences that make them so hard to accept?

Human diversity means human differences, and there are as many differences as there are people. Some differences are invisible, such as what you find in a homogeneous society, or all-boys or all-girls school. They exist nonetheless for no two people are exactly the same. Even identical twins are different. For some reason, the word different represents something that is not widely accepted, and people will first look askance at whatever or whoever it is. Some do not like to hear a different opinion or point of view from their own. Some do not care for different leadership styles, or communication styles, or certain styles of dress or hair. Little wonder then, that people with visible differences such as race, gender, ethnicity, body size, disabilities, religion and lifestyle preferences, are not often met with open arms. Why is that? Only you can answer. And in some cases, you may not even have the answer yourself. The first thing I tell people when I’m teaching diversity is that the most important thing to know is that diversity is not about learning about others who are different from them. It’s about learning why they feel as they do about those differences. Psychologists tell us that attitudes such as prejudices, values, preferences, likes or dislikes, and beliefs about who is good or bad, are formed at a very early age — ages 0 to 5 to be exact. The reason so many people may not understand why they feel as they do is because most people do not recall being 0 to 5 when they acquired such attitudes and beliefs. All they know is they’ve felt this way all their lives; it just feels right and normal. A wise person once said, “We are not to blame for the attitudes we acquired when we were young and innocent; but we are responsible for what we do with those attitudes as adults.” The ability to accept others’ differences is only the first step in everyone’s right to pursue happiness. When we can take that giant leap to embracing others’ differences, we will have arrived. Gladys Gossett Hankins, ’75, ’77 MBA, received her Ph.D. from The Union Institute and University. She spent her career with Procter & Gamble before retiring to open a consulting business through which she offers seminars on organizational effectiveness and diversity throughout the country and internationally.

sumer 2015

time and place

Thursday, March 19, 2015 Chinandega, Nicaragua

a service RU photo contest winner during Annie Haman, â&#x20AC;&#x2122;17, took this #Iam gos for Ami ing help k group spent the wee immersion trip. Haman and her a. Christ and the people of Nicaragu

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