Three Rockhurst Siblings, One Dream A refugee family story
By Tim Linn
It was right there on the homepage of the Rockhurst University website. Where Leaders Learn.
That tagline is what first caught the eye of Ikhlas Adam, ’23. She was searching for a place to complete her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. There were a lot of places where she could fulfill the necessary credits to complete the program and start her career in nursing. But what those three words offered was something more.
“That was the first thing I saw, and it was amazing to me,” she said. “I just knew that this was a place I wanted to be.”
Winter 2024 20 FEATURE
The Adam family outside the White House on a trip to Washington, D.C.
That phrase led not only Ikhlas to Rockhurst University, but two of her siblings, too — Isra, who is studying molecular biology in the hopes of pursuing medical school; and Souleymane, a sophomore peace and international studies major eyeing law school. Two more are on the way.
To understand the importance of that concept of education and leadership to these three siblings, you have to go back years, to an experience that shaped their family members’ lives in immeasurable ways. From fleeing civil war in their native Sudan to the seven years they spent in limbo in a refugee camp in Chad and the eventual chance to move to the United States, the three say they are thankful for their family, for those who helped them along the way, and for the drive to succeed and give back that the experience gave them.
A Haven from Conflict
Ikhlas is the oldest of her family’s 11 children. As such, she has perhaps the clearest memories of the constant gunfire and fear of raids from before they were forced to flee their home in 2006. She remembers the family gathering what they could before an attack, and fleeing, with two siblings — including Souleymane — becoming separated temporarily in the process. The conflict in Darfur, part of a continuing dispute over control of the country between the Arab-led government and the non-Arab tribes, left 300,000 dead and nearly 2.5 million displaced, according to the United Nations.
“The targeted places were just normal people — maybe somebody’s studying, somebody’s sitting, somebody’s cooking,” she said. “And they just come and attack the village, so you just get up and run.”
Ikhlas and her family adjusted to a new reality after arriving at the Gaga Refugee Camp in neighboring Chad.
“Running out of food is something normal in the refugee camp,” Ikhlas said. “Not having clear water to drink is something normal.”
Isra said family members would wake at 2 a.m. to fetch water for the day because their sink was shared by 12 different families. They helped tend a small farm, with the children running across the camp to get to school on time.
All that said, Isra and Ikhlas said the camp had one advantage over their former home — safety.
“There is a trauma of running from the place you live and the only idea you have is, ‘Am I going to die or survive?’” Ikhlas said. “We didn’t think of shoes. You don’t think of what you need to eat — you can eat anything to survive as long as you’re not going to die.”
A Lifeline
Security aside, Gaga was not a home. But only 2.4% of the world’s refugees will eventually be resettled, according to iACT. Since birth, Souleymane had suffered with a urological condition that affected his development, his family unable to access adequate care. In 2014, they were offered the opportunity to leave for the United States and pursue treatment.
rockhurst.edu
“Running out of food is something normal in the refugee camp. Not having clear water to drink is something normal.”
— Ikhlas Adam
21 FEATURE
In summer 2023, Souleymane Adam returned to the Gaga Refugee Camp as a volunteer with the organization iACT.
For refugees, considerations regarding the decision to leave are complex and include the thought of leaving family and the only home they’ve known to perceptions of life in the United States. But Souleymane said their parents were both steadfast.
“Families declined because they thought they would never be able to return, or they would become a different person or lose the ability to speak the language,” he said. “Mom sat us down and explained for us what was going to happen if we move to the United States. She said, ‘Life in America cannot be worse than what we have already suffered. If there’s nothing else in America, there is education, and that’s enough.’”
Settling in KC
In August 2014, the family arrived in the U.S. and moved into their new home in Northeast Kansas City at night. The next morning, they took in their new surroundings. “In the morning, we expected to see a crowded street. We expected to see children playing and older people outside drinking their tea on the porch, neighbors talking to each other loudly and waving hello,” Souleymane said. “But it was very quiet. The only living thing we saw that morning was… squirrels.”
When a neighbor did emerge and greet the family, they did not know how to respond. “We didn’t know the word, ‘Hi’,” said Ikhlas.
As time wore on, the family adapted — Ikhlas completed high school in the refugee camp, so she started working to support the family as a housekeeper in a Crown Center hotel. Isra and Souleymane learned English while enrolled at East High School. Souleymane, with medical treatment behind him, excelled in cross country at East— a skill and passion he picked up running across the refugee camp. Isra, too, joined cross country, along with soccer, tennis and the debate team.
“The hardest part for me was going to school and not knowing the language,” Isra said. “As soon as I came out of the English as a Second Language program, so many doors opened for me.”
Pursuing the Magis
Despite the challenges, or maybe because of them, the three siblings share a drive to make the world better — what the Jesuits would call “magis.” In that, they say they have found a welcoming home at Rockhurst. After learning English at Kansas City’s Don Bosco Center while working, Ikhlas earned CNA, CMT, and an incident certification, plus an associate degree in Arabic interpretation for good measure. She said she chose Rockhurst to complete her BSN because she believes she can make a difference. Having seen what happens when health care professionals aren’t properly trained or ready to meet the demands of the job, she hopes to be a leader as a nurse.
“There’s a saying in our religion — helping one person is like you help the whole world,” she said. “Harming one person is like harming the world. I want to be the one helping one person at a time.”
Souleymane has volunteered with the California-based organization iACT (including as a member of their Darfur United soccer club), facilitating community-led humanitarian solutions for refugees. In summer 2023, he returned to the Gaga Refugee Camp as a volunteer, an experience he described as a sort of homecoming. While finishing his degree at
Winter 2024 22 FEATURE
(From top) Isra, Souleymane and Ikhlas Adam
Rockhurst, Souleymane helps other refugees navigate resettlement with Jewish Vocational Services.
“I see it as my future because I want to help refugees as much as I can. Not only refugees from my country, but any refugees,” he said.
Isra’s path of study, like her two siblings, grew directly from what she witnessed in the camp.
“Sometimes patients were sick, or they needed surgery, but they would have to travel really far. And some patients lost their life on the way,” she said. “That’s something I saw a lot. And that’s why I wanted to become a surgeon.”
Ikhlas said countless people have played a part in helping her along the way. While Rockhurst provides the venue and the core values, the three say their father is also a primary inspiration. Despite only a seventh-grade equivalent himself, they say he instills in his children the need to pursue education to realize their dreams.
“He told me, ‘If I went to school, I would have done this’ — those are his dreams, but he had to take care of his family,” Ikhlas said. “He says if you don’t reach for your dreams, they are just wishes.” P
“I see it as my future because I want to help refugees as much as I can. Not only refugees from my country, but any refugees.”
— Souleymane Adam
23
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FEATURE
Souleymane in the Gaga Refugee Camp.
’66
Michael Bashwiner, writing under the pen name Mike Shaw, has been named the jazz writer for the Atlanta arts community publication ArtsATL.
’80
Martin Titus retired as the vice president of strategic compliance at Booking Holdings Financial Services.
’86
Deacon Mike Berendzen was appointed director, ministry and life, of permanent deacons for the Diocese of Jefferson City. He also currently serves as coordinator of Catholic Hospital Ministry in Columbia, Missouri. Deacon Berendzen was ordained as a permanent deacon in May 2019.
’88
Joseph Fox has been named chief product officer at AvidXChange.
’90
Thomas Yearsley, ’98 MBA, has been appointed vice president for real estate development and franchise sales at Jackson Hewitt Tax Services Inc., responsible for the optimization of a retail footprint covering over 6,000 company owned and franchise locations nationwide.
’92
Steven Hodges, MD, FACEP, was recently named chief medical officer of VentureDNA, a private equity and venture capital firm in Chicago that focuses on biotech, medical device, informatics and technology companies focused to have meaningful societal impact. He continues to practice emergency medicine
’07
Mallory (Anthony) White
married David White of Blue Springs, Missouri, on March 20, 2021, in Kansas City. Officiated by Mason Anthony, ’13
at Northwestern Medicine as an academic and clinical attending physician.
’97 MBA
Christopher Goforth has been named senior vice president of sales for Temenos software.
’98
Shandin Duffer accepted a job as a litigation paralegal for The Potts Law Firm in Houston, a national firm specializing personal injury cases.
’99
Marvin Clay was appointed a board-certified hospice chaplain.
David Jones, ’01 MPT, was named president of the home health division at Healthpro Heritage in 2021.
’01
Todd Stansell was named vice president of Bliss Associates, LLC, in Springfield, Missouri.
’03
Anthony LaRusso married Kristin Suter, ’03, Jan. 1, 2022, in St. Louis, Missouri, at St. Catherine Laboure Church, with a reception at the Hilton Frontenac. Roughly 25 Rockhurst alumni joined in the celebration. The bride and groom dated for a year while at Rockhurst and reunited 21 years later.
’06
Laura Larson was awarded a Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 40 award. The award recognizes young professionals who have not only achieved great success in their careers but have also made significant contributions to the Omaha community.
CLASS NOTES Winter 2024 24
’09
Jenny (Schmitt) Merrill is the dean of students at North Carolina School for Science and Mathematics, Morganton campus.
’10
Amanda (Trouba) Kruse has spent the last 11 years of her career with Microsoft Corporation and has started a new role with the company as a senior product manager for Microsoft 365 on its engineering team.
Trey Malone III joined the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Arkansas as an assistant professor.
Angie West was promoted to assistant director of perioperative and procedural services at the University of Kansas Health System.
’12Lauren Roberts
has received numerous awards for her writing, including the Door is A Jar Award, the Seamus Burns Creative Writing Award, and an honorable mention in both the Stephen A. DiBiase Poetry Award and the SFFP Speculative Poetry Contest. She also received multiple Pushcart Prizes, Best of the Net and Rhysling Award nominations. In 2023, her two latest poetry collections were released — “Moonlight and Monsters” on Gnashing Teeth Press, and “Midnight Glossolalia,” co-authored with Scott Ferry and Lillian Necakov, on Meat for Tea Press.
Danielle Williams is program therapist for Psychiatric Medical Care’s Senior Life Solution program, addressing mental health needs of older adults in rural communities.
’10 M.Ed.
Ashley Baumgarn is a project manager for Pearson Education.
’11
Malik James has established James Injury Law, a minority and veteran-owned firm based in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
’12
Andrea Ford, ’16 DPT, moved into a new home and is currently working with Athletico.
’13
Alexander Holmes and Robyn Everist, ’14, ’15 MOT, were married in May 2021 at Visitation Parish in Kansas City, Missouri. Alex works in corporate accounting at T-Mobile while Robyn works at Children’s Mercy Hospital.
Stephanie Lankford, ’16 MBA, was named director of operational excellence, executive team support and special projects at Women Leaders in College Sports in April 2022. She and her husband, Bryce Scovill, also welcomed a son, Noah, in June 2022, joining big brother Logan, age 3.
Jessica Shea has returned to Las Vegas to work for MGM Resorts International as entertainment and sports marketing manager.
Nicholas Traxler married Murilo Alves Zacareli on April 22, 2022, in Mankato,
Minnesota. In 2022, he spent eight months working for a funeral home in Madison, Wisconsin, before returning to the nonprofit industry. He is now the director of donor engagement for Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, Wisconsin, helping prepare Holy Wisdom Monastery for a multi-year capital campaign.
Chelsea Voboril is program coordinator for the Life and Justice Office in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.
’14
Jacquin Sands is the owner of Pink Medspa.
Margaret (Herr) Scott was married in December 2021 and has moved to her hometown in St. Louis, working at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital.
CLASS NOTES
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Andrew Watts and Maddie Watts, ’15, ’16 M.Ed., welcomed twins, Charlotte and Theodore, on Nov. 28, 2021.
’14 MBA
Whitney Reagan has become a wealth adviser, working directly with external clients.
’14 EMBA
Ruth Terrell-Lee has been appointed to the Port Authority of St. Louis County.
’15
Matthew Beermann and Grace McKinney were married in Mobile, Alabama, on Jan. 7, 2023. The couple moved to St. Louis in July 2023. Matt started a new role as corporate human resources adviser at Graybar Electric in 2023.
Maigan Bridgette started a new job in April 2023 as community impact manager at Sporting Kansas City.
Andrew Ellwanger, ’17 MBA, married Mary Dineen, ’17, in 2019. The couple have two children — daughter Lucy (2020) and son Noah (2021). He is accounting manager at TSG in Omaha, Nebraska.
Emily Fasbender, ’22 DPT, started working at SERC Physical Therapy-Lee’s Summit in July as a staff doctor of physical therapy.
Audrey Hall was married October 2022 in Ireland.
Fabiola Juarez has been promoted to operations deputy director for an investment company.
Taylor (Skala) Sares and
Chris Sares welcomed their first child, Leah Stephanie, on Nov. 11, 2022.
’16
Chera Hishaw is community impact education manager at J.E. Dunn.
William and Christina Rangel welcomed twin girls Julia and Sophia in April 2023.
Christopher Stibbs, ’18 MA, was recognized as one of Ingram’s Magazine’s 20 in Their Twenties in 2021.
’16 MBA
Lori Turner received the Progressive Grocers Top Women in Grocery Award for Rising Star category in 2022.
’17
Daniel Mitchell and his family welcomed a daughter, Magnolia Mitchell, on June 3, 2022.
Kathleen Tobin, ’19 MOT, is working as an occupational therapist at NHC of Maryland Heights, Missouri.
’17 EMBA
Reginald Lee started D. Laniger Transportation and Logistics Company in May 2021.
’18
Gianluca Bottoni, ’20 MBA, is living with his wife in the Kansas City area, working in the sports and education industry.
Paige Cordova was married in St. Louis in July 2022.
Amelia Gardiner is the career development coordinator at Berea College. She married Bryan Maniscalco Dec. 17, 2022.
Thomas Gauvain and Lauren Gauvain, ’19, welcomed a boy, Oliver, in December 2021, and a girl, Mary Lu, in January 2024.
’19
Madeline Russell married Brendan Butler, ’19, ’20 MBA, on Sept. 24, 2022. In March 2022, she began a job at the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Kansas City.
’19 EMBA
Matthew Ellis has been named chief product officer for Encoura, a higher education analytics, data and marketing company.
’20
Emilio Aranda graduated from Northern Arizona University’s physical therapy program and now works as a traveling physical therapist, currently residing in Oregon.
Evan Bolton graduated from University of Kansas School of Law in May 2023. He will serve as a law clerk to the Hon. David Gregory Kays, U.S. Courts, Western District of Missouri, and will continue as an associate at Spencer Fane in 2025. Evan and his wife, Katie, welcomed their son, Joel Evan Bolton, on Oct. 2, 2022, in Lawrence, Kansas.
Emily Duff moved to Georgia to start a job with the state’s Department of Natural Resources.
Rachel Holden started a new job as a clinical research coordinator at the University of Kansas Medical Center’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in December 2022. She graduated from KU Med in May 2023 with a Master of Science in clinical research.
Raechel Greubel is a marketing coordinator at St. Louis-based Retail Smarter, a woman-owned business focusing on helping women and minority-owned business get their consumer goods into retail stores.
Maureen Ryan, ’22 M.S., is a speech language pathologist at Delmar Gardens of Lenexa, Kansas.
Winter 2024 26 CLASS NOTES
Salvador Valdivia, ’21 MBA, married Melanee Bauer, ’22, in March 2022.
’21
Bryce Balusek accepted a new job at T-Mobile as an employee engagement/ recognition program manager dealing with strategic insights for employees enterprise-wide.
Natastia Carnes is now working at the Kansas City Crime Lab in the latent section as a forensic specialist.
Judge Greenberger, ’22 M.S., began a full-time position as a developer II at NIC Inc in Overland Park, Kansas.
Julie Randolph started a new job working as a public health nurse and was admitted to the University of Kansas nursing Ph.D. program. Her emphasis is in symptom science and effects of intimate partner violence on maternal-infant health.
’21 M.A.
Habiba Soliman married Hatem Elagouz and they live in Toronto, where she works in human resources for a health care company and plans to become a certified yoga teacher.
’22
Kayla Donjuan is a dental assistant at Jordan Valley Community Health Center.
Ashley Fite is an operating room nurse at Mercy Hospital St. Louis.
Nicole Ponto is teaching licensed practical nursing students at Concorde Career College.
Tammy Lyons started working in Research Medical Center’s orthotrauma unit in June 2022.
Carl Schmittgens is teaching high school theology at St. Teresa’s Academy.
’22 DPT
Amelia Noe has joined
’22 MBA
Jessica Townsend welcomed a daughter, Mary Apollonia Townsend, on Nov. 16, 2022. She joins big sisters Evie, 6, and Gwen, 3.
Encompass Health in Birmingham, Alabama, as a physical therapist.
’22 MBA
Nancy Burford is vice president of human resources at Examinetics in Overland Park, Kansas.
Ai Shi works as a bilingual financial account representative at Shamrock Trading Corporation.
’23
Jack Davis is a medical device representative in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Julianne Rabal accepted a job at the Walmart home office in Bentonville, Arkansas, as a business analyst II. P
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Be sure to visit rockhurst.edu/alumni for a calendar of upcoming events.
with fellow Hawks on campus and elsewhere!
Annual Golf Tournament Boosts Hawks Athletics
It was a great day for golf and showing up to support the Rockhurst University Hawks at the Fr. Joseph M. Freeman, S.J., Cup, held in June.
We want to see your photos!
RU Besties Road Trip It to the Rock
In September, four longtime Rockhurst friends took a road trip to Kansas City and stopped by campus for a tour of familiar places and new sights. (From left) Elisa Kunz, ’93; Beth (Rottinghaus) Minden, ’93; Amy (Sullivan) Ruffini, ’92; Maureen (Maceluch) Stevens, ’94, ’96 PT; and Mary (Audley) Dawdy, ’94, ’01 MBA, visible in the center as a “Flat Stanley” along for the trip.
Congratulations, Coach Burns!
Last spring, RU baseball alumni from throughout the years gathered for a pre-game tailgate to commemorate head coach Gary Burns’ 800th career win. (From left) Joey Mancuso, ’17; Gary Burns, head baseball coach; Corbin Hare, ’18; Ryan Porter, ’12, ’16 MBA; David Stober, ’17, ’18 MBA; Mitch Nelson, ’97, director of undergraduate admission and assistant baseball coach.
Hall of Famer Headlines St. Louis Leadership Series
Dick Vermeil (Center), Pro Football Hall of Famer and former head coach of the St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs, headlined the Rockhurst University St. Louis Leadership Series Oct. 12, 2023. Chris Pagano, ’78 (Left), and Denny Thum, ’74, were in attendance. Thum served in the Chiefs front office during Vermeil’s years with the organization.
Do you get together with fellow Hawks for fun, fellowship or service? Send them to universityrelations@rockhurst.edu.
HAWKS TOGETHER Winter 2024 28
(From left) Matthew White, ’08; Allison Rank, ’08; Maureen Weber, ’07; and Phil Bennett, ’11, ’15 MBA.
Nontraditional Path Leads Alumna to Serve Veterans
A passion for helping the underserved led Patty Gnefkow, ’02, to co-found a nonprofit organization that has grown to serve thousands of veterans through a variety of services and has been honored for its work in the Wichita, Kansas, community.
Vet-to-Vet Support Command hosts veteran social groups at senior living facilities, performs outreach to homeless veterans and hosts a free annual retreat for Kansas women veterans for rest and renewal. These are only a few of its many efforts, including the Veteran Providers’ Coalition of Sedgwick County.
Although she retired from the organization late last year, Gnefkow remains involved as an adviser during the transition of sole leadership to her business partner Howard Hutchison. Gnefkow went to work full time following her high school graduation, married a Navy veteran, then became a stay-at-home mom to two daughters. After the girls went to school, she completed a degree at Johnson County Community College, then transferred to Rockhurst, where she majored in psychology and completed the American Humanics Program.
“My education from Rockhurst allowed me to be confident in starting a nonprofit from scratch,” Gnefkow said.
“I learned how to build an effective advisory board, how to partner with community entities, how to involve our elected officials with our services, and ask the ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions with critical thinking and an open heart.” P
“I came along to Rockhurst when my sister came on a college visit the summer after my freshman year in high school. I fell asleep in the car, and when I woke up, the first thing I saw was the bell tower. I just thought it was beautiful and everything felt like home. That feeling never left.”
Sam Halfmann
’16, ’17 MBA
HAWK TALES rockhurst.edu 29
Patty Gnefkow, ’02 (Center), with members of the USS Wichita crew.
Charles Moran, Ph.D., professor emeritus of political science, died Jan. 28, 2024, at the age of 87. He earned his bachelor’s degree from then Rockhurst College in 1961 and served on the faculty for 50 years. He was named professor emeritus upon his retirement in 2020.
A devoted Hawk, Moran inspired generations of students to pursue graduate education, some of whom became faculty members themselves. He is survived by his wife and his four children, all of whom attended Rockhurst. P
Linus Goth Jr., ’62 — April 15
William Kenny, ’68 — April 21
Felix Witkowicz, ’68 — April 23
Kurt Burger, ’84 — April 28
Timothy Elmer, ’67 — May 03
Janet Hart, ’81 — May 05
John O’Hare, ’53 — May 10
Jonathan Anderson, ’78 — May 10
Richard Poettgen, ’55 — May 11
Stephen Prenger, ’61 — May 18
Salvatore Privitera, ’60 — May 20
John Scofield, ’68 — May 24
Donald Curless, ’76 — May 24
James Orth, ’67 — May 28
Linda Verstraete, ’85 — May 28
Paul Lenihan, ’68 — May 29
James Sprehe, ’66 — June 01
David Kelley, ’75 — June 07
James Richard, ’58 — June 09
Jacob Bukaty, ’05 — June 10
Laird Wiggin, ’85 — June 11
Lawrence Wempe, Ph.D., ’63 — June 12
Jerry Wilson, ’82 — June 21
Francis Frohoff Jr., ’60 — June 22
Michael Stewart, ’61 — June 23
Daniel Saviano, ’72 — June 26
Martin Flaherty Jr., ’62 — July 02
R. James Voelker, ’69 — July 04
Bobby Johnson, ’82 — July 05
Patricia McClernon, ’74 — July 07
Thomas Hart, ’02 — July 10
Gerald Cavanaugh, ’66 — July 12
David Richards, ’60 — July 24
Robert Vawter, ’48 — August 02
Christy Fuller, ’00 — August 04
Howard Wimmer, ’79 — August 05
Philip Beth, ’70 — August 06
Edmond McElligott, ’52 — August 09
Virgil Hare, ’61 — August 16
Glenna Winston, ’84 — August 17
William McMahon, ’71 — August 23
Robert Morhart, DDS, ’61 — August 24
Michael Howe, ’76 — August 24
Wade Reinhart Jr., ’75 — August 25
Kirby Drayer, ’86 — August 31
Robert Fling, ’52 — September 03
Gary Mullin, ’72 — September 18
Dixie Fasl, ’74 — September 20
Mark Minter, ’88 — September 21
James Borchert, ’68 — September 24
Richard Sulzbach, ’68 — September 25
Michael O’Flaherty, ’59 — September 26
Richard Allen, ’64 — October 01
Robert Tice, ’71 — October 02
Friederun Boone, ’56 — October 05
Stephen Syrett, ’71 — October 05
Ronald Hays, ’88 — October 10
Robert English, ’76 — October 11
Ronald Rittenmeyer, ’85 — October 11
Katherine Goree, ’01 — October 12
J. Eugene Kanatzar, ’56 — October 13
Paul Culotta, ’68 — October 13
Elliot Smith, ’92 — October 13
George Houser Jr., ’92 — October 16
Gerald Fugate, ’56 — October 17
Cynthia Zipprich, ’08 — October 19
Travis Fisher, ’07 — October 23
G. William Van Keppel Jr., ’63 — October 27
Richard Zans, ’76 — October 31
Joseph Lloyd, Ph.D., ’48 — November 06
Matt Kaiser, ’56 — November 07
John Wilhoit, ’58 — November 19
Michael Vathakos, ’74 — November 19
Kenneth Osborn, ’69 — December 02
Rev. Roy Caldwell Jr., ’62 — December 03
Margaret Sonnenberg, ’82 — December 04
Michael Reecht, ’68 — December 17
Robert Bird, ’84 — December 21
IN MEMORIAM Winter 2024 30
James Markovich, ’69 — January 06
Brian Bevins, ’85 — January 06
Gary Zimmerman, ’82 — January 07
Joseph McGuire, ’72 — January 09
Joseph Kuestersteffen, ’48 — January 12
John McGrath Jr., ’63 — January 15
Hon. James Barnes, ’75 — January 15
Martin Parker, ’81 — January 15
Jack O’Dell, ’81 — January 17
Marcellus Cole, ’50 — January 19
William Riggs, ’16 — January 22
Edward FitzGerald, ’57 — January 24
Peter Chiappetta, ’69 — January 30
Edward White, ’60 — January 31
George Laurance, ’68 — February 02
Anne Mullin, ’72 — February 02
David Winslow, ’59 — February 03
Ronald Rowles, ’81 — February 03
Robert Schmeltz, ’51 — February 05
James Sharpe, ’78 — February 06
Robert Vogl, ’58 — February 07
David Oxler, ’64 — February 13
Catherine Nelson, ’81 — February 14
Clyde Zimmerman, ’73 — February 18
James Seck, ’61 — February 19
James Goethe, ’62 — February 20
Karen Messenger, ’72 — March 03
William Doeren, ’68 — March 08
John Miles, ’74 — March 09
Gary Brinkmeyer, ’93 — March 13
Marshall Reece, ’78 — March 14
Gary Robben, ’69 — March 16
Daniel Welling, Ph.D., ’58 — March 17
Floyd Wilkerson, ’62 — March 17
Sarah O’Malley, ’19 — March 20
Steven Bennett, ’79 — March 22
John Rejba, ’65 — March 24
Thomas Growney, ’53 — March 29
Michael Lenihan, ’72 — March 30
Rev. John McCormack, ’57 — April 07
John Felz, ’79 — April 07
Robert Johnston, ’67 — April 14
Rev. Christopher Pinne, S.J., ’74 — April 14
Walter Accurso, ’69 — April 16
Robert Hughes, M.D., ’64 — April 17
John Murry, Ph.D., ’55 — April 20
John Taylor, ’92 — April 23
Jason Gallagher, ’07 — April 29
John Salvato, ’67 — May 01
David Huff, ’70 — May 01
Joseph Burke, ’54 — May 04
Craig Rooney, ’59 — May 10
Larry Anderson, ’72 — May 12
Donald Teson, ’72 — May 14
Thomas Glenn, Ph.D., ’62 — May 16
John Hill, ’72 — May 16
Jerome Murphy, ’69 — May 20
James Powers, ’68 — May 21
Gregory Buchholz, Ph.D., ’81 — May 21
Maria Polit Russell, ’75 — May 23
Rev. Ernie Gauthier, ’79 — May 26
John Fiorella, Ph.D., ’64 — June 05
Salvatore Enna, Ph.D., ‘65 — June 15
George Lehman Jr., ’56 — June 16
Carl Daniels Sr., ’52 — June 17
John Zahradnik, M.D., ’65 — June 17
Terence Thompson, ’67 — June 18
Thomas Gosebrink, ’62 — June 21
Robert Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., ’53 — June 22
Rev. Edward Flaherty, S.J., ’40 — June 25
Adria Edwards, ’00 — June 26
Todd Ruser, ’08 — June 30
Margaret Wye, Ph.D., professor emerita of English, died Nov. 8, 2023, at the age of 84. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Southern California in 1992. She joined the Rockhurst University faculty as an adjunct lecturer in 1994 and served as a full professor from 2008 to 2017 when she retired and was named professor emerita. Her love for the works of Jane Austen was infectious and she passed that along to many students who remember her for her gift for teaching and making literature come alive. P
This list includes alumni deaths between April 15, 2022, and June 30, 2023. We will publish names of those who died after this date in the next issue. We strive for accuracy and we apologize for any errors or omissions.
IN MEMORIAM
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