Fall 2023 RU Insider

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Discover how Rockhurst alumni, family and friends support the True Blue for RU Campaign

What is my word to describe RU?

Dear Companions, Recently, hundreds of Rockhurst alums and students were asked to encapsulate their college experience in just one word. The responses we received were not just words; they were windows into the soul of Rockhurst’s transformational culture. They painted a vivid picture of a Jesuit education's impact on young minds. Words like “transformational,” enlightening,” “meaningful,” “purposeful,” “spiritual,” “welcoming,” “essential,” and, a personal favorite, “grateful,” were some of the ways they described the Rockhurst impact on their lives.

Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey –igniting inspiration, nurturing growth, Paula Moss and fostering gratitude through generations.

Vice President of By supporting student scholarships and University Advancement programs at Rockhurst, you are not merely making a financial contribution; you are sowing the seeds of empowerment, clearing pathways to success, building spiritual foundations, removing barriers, and forming future leaders who proceed with confidence, competency, and a conscience. Your philanthropy will not only support individual students but will make possible those one-word descriptions that capture the essence of Rockhurst.

If you have not shared your word, I encourage you to do that, and most of all, I hope you will make a gift to True Blue for RU this academic year! Thank you!

P.S. Share your word at https://engage.rockhurst.edu/register/givetrueblue

I am an international student from Rwanda, and everyone at Rockhurst has made me feel at home and part of their community. The community is motivating and spiritually uplifting. I appreciate your support.

DHALIL BEKO, CLASS OF 2025 Mechanical Engineering

My word is: SUPPORT.

AMELIA WILLIAMSON, CLASS OF 2025 Pre-Nursing

Class of 1973 Golden Hawks Scholarship Are you interested in making a difference in the life of a Rockhurst student? Your gift to the Class of 1973 Golden Hawks Scholarship will do just that. Over 96% of Rockhurst Hawks rely on scholarships to attend Rockhurst, and your donation will ensure they receive the same transformational education that you received.

CLASS OF 1973 GOLDEN HAWKS: Back row: Carl Haberstroh,

Bob Dugan, Dennis Buchheit. Middle row: Mike Rodina, Gary Smith, Jim Lamble, Skip Hensler, Mike McAdam. Front row: Yolanda Vaughn, Lynn (Dillard) Malley, Maggie (McMann) Holley, Kitty (Cherry) Springer, Patty (Cherry) Byrd, Mary (Mullen) DeJana.

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My word is: COMMUNITY.

Everyone at Rockhurst is supportive, from the faculty to the staff and my classmates. This support, along with the Jesuit values, will ensure I succeed. I appreciate your support of our programs.

Paula Moss Vice President of University Advancement

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”

If you are interested in making a gift to the Class of 1973 Golden Hawks Scholarship, please scan the QR code here or call Becky Sanchez at 816-501-4431 or email at rebecca.sanchez@rockhurst.edu.

“Pay it forward!”

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his was advice from Mark Harris ’73, when he met his current scholarship student, Lorenzo Hernandez, class of 2026, majoring in nursing. Mark, his wife, Margie, ’73, and Lorenzo share a few things in common — all are Bishop Ward High School graduates in Kansas City, all came to Rockhurst University to pursue their dreams, and all were recipients of scholarships.

Mark and Margie both graduated from Rockhurst University in 1973 with degrees in accounting. Although they both worked all during college, when Mark pondered where to go after graduation, he will never forget sound advice from his favorite professor, Tony Tocco, Ph.D., professor of accounting: “Don’t wait, go get your MBA.” Mark said that advice changed his path and eventually led him to a 36-year career in finance for Exxon Mobil.

Margie worked as an accountant for several companies while also raising two children. Exxon took them all over the world until they finally settled in Houston.

Mark and Margie have been contributing to Rockhurst since the mid-1970s. They supported a scholarship in the name of Mark's cousin for nearly 15 years and then created a sponsored scholarship, the Mark and Margaret Harris, ’73, Scholarship, in 2013. The scholarship is aimed directly at a student with high financial need, preferably one from Bishop Ward High School.

The couple said they believe education is the key to opening doors for the future. Both received financial support and believe firmly in paying it forward. They are True Blue for RU! For more information on establishing your family scholarship, please get in touch with Paula Moss, vice president of advancement, at paula.moss@rockhurst.edu or 816-501-4418.

- NELSON MANDELA

his quote speaks to Andrew Kaufman, M.D., donor and friend of the University. Dr. Kaufman’s relationship with Rockhurst began several years ago when an international student that he sponsored, Balem Alamerew, received a generous scholarship to attend RU. The Kaufmans had participated in lectures at Rockhurst, so they were familiar with RU when looking at schools with Alamarew.

Having graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Alamarew said she loved her time at Rockhurst, her “home away from home.”

She recently shared, “It was during my time at Rockhurst that I practiced being there for others and myself. Practicing to live an independent life and being an Ethiopian from a collectivist culture was difficult, but my Rockhurst companions were always there for me.”

Balem Alamerew, ‘22

While attending Rockhurst, Alamerew was involved in several student organizations. She worked as a resident advisor and with the alumni engagement team during her senior year.

After graduating from Rockhurst, Alamarew began working as a shelter advocate at Newhouse domestic violence shelter in Kansas City and recently joined Jewish Vocational Services in Kansas City as a case manager. She credits the Kaufmans and her education at Rockhurst for the opportunity.

Balem’s word describing Rockhurst is: FASCINATING! I chose this word because of the Rockhurst community and the fascinating individuals I met at Rockhurst.

Rockhurst was my second home away from home, and it was all because of the community that helped me feel welcomed and appreciated. celebrating stories of magis

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Join the Movement

Father’s Legacy Lives on in Scholarship F

or Jerry Kammerdiener, ’70, college was not a given or an easy path.

It took eight years of evening classes at Rockhurst for Jerry to earn his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree, balancing his work and family life at the same time.

But he was determined to finish, said his wife, Lucille.

Many of you know firsthand that a

Rockhurst education means opportunity.

For our current talented students, Rockhurst is a pivotal stepping-stone to lifelong success.

The need for scholarships has never been greater, especially for the 96% of Rockhurst students who need financial assistance. Join the True Blue for RU movement and stand alongside our students with complete confidence that the greater good is unlimited.

“He really wanted to better himself by going to college,” she said. “Growing up, his family didn’t have all that much.

He was proud of the fact that he was able to go off and make it on his own.”

Jerry passed away in 2019, but his legacy lives on thanks to the Jerry M. Kammerdiener Memorial Scholarship fund, established two years ago by his family following his passing. The scholarship is designed to benefit students who, like Jerry, are working adults pursuing a business major or minor.

HERE’S WHAT YOUR GIFT WILL DO:

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Over the course of his career, Jerry worked as a typesetter for the Joplin Globe and the Kansas City Star. Later, he worked for an auto dealer in Kansas City.

He took evening courses at Rockhurst while working full-time and still made time be with his family, Lucille said. While never the loudest voice in the room, she said, Jerry threw everything into what he was doing and relished helping others — whether that be in his career, his role as a father and husband, or his Catholic faith, to which he converted as an adult. His son, Thomas, recalled his father’s focus on his studies — even when his children made a game out of sneaking into the study.

Provide Hawks with the resources they need to pursue their goals and achieve their dreams.

Make Rockhurst accessible to more students.

Even after the family moved — first to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and then to Pennsylvania — the Kammerdieners would return when they could to Kansas City and to the Rockhurst campus. To be able to impact future generations of students working to complete their degrees, Lucille said, is a gift she believes Jerry would appreciate.

Change the trajectory of a student’s life and reduce financial stress.

Ensure there are more Rockhurst alumni serving in our communities.

“He didn’t like to be in the limelight,” she said. “But I hope that he sees what Rockhurst is doing and smiles. He really wanted to do something that would benefit people like him.”

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celebrating stories of magis

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Couple’s Estate Provides Lasting Gift of Scholarship

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ducation was always critical to both of my parents,” says Elizabeth Duncan, daughter of the late Bill, ’47, and Bette Geiger. “They contributed to college funds for all of their grandchildren and also helped others in need of financial assistance for education.”

Bill, ’47, and Bette Geiger

Their desire to help others included future Rockhurst students. Bill and Bette named Rockhurst University as a beneficiary of their retirement plan, creating scholarship opportunities to give those without access to higher education a path to undergraduate degrees.

“Dad used to say, ‘The Jesuits didn’t teach you what to think — they taught you how to think,’” Elizabeth says.

After his time at Rockhurst, Bill served in the Navy during World War II and later earned his medical degree.

After working as a general practitioner in Fairfax, Oklahoma, for 10 years, he enjoyed a long and successful career in anesthesiology at KU Medical Center, Trinity Lutheran Hospital and Research Medical Center, where he was a pioneer in the area of pain management.

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Clay Blair Family Foundation

he Clay Blair Family Foundation awarded Rockhurst University a yearly gift of $25,000 to fund a nursing scholarship at Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Rockhurst University.

Blair earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas in 1965, a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University in 1966, and a doctorate in higher education from the University of Kansas in 1969.

In addition to Rockhurst, Blair taught at Metropolitan Community College.

“He was very proud of his Rockhurst education. It was undoubtedly valuable for my dad in medical school and beyond,” Elizabeth concludes.

Clay Blair is the president of Clay Blair Services Corp., which includes Prime Development Land Company,

Like the Geigers, anyone can name Rockhurst University as a beneficiary of their retirement plan, bank account, life insurance policy, and more. It only takes a change-of-beneficiary form provided by your financial institution, which can sometimes be completed online. Contact Paula Moss, vice president of university advancement, at 816-501-4418 or paula.moss@rockhurst.edu to learn more. This deferred type of giving is a popular way to invest in the future of Rockhurst University without parting with any money today.

Student-Athlete Grad becomes True Blue for RU!

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eamwork, hard work, perseverance and the support of her teammates were common traits that Erika (Celoni) Sullivan, ’17, said made her a successful student-athlete on Rockhurst University’s women’s soccer program and now in her early professional career as a Campus Recruiting Manager for CBIZ.

“My True Blue for RU word is GRATITUDE.”

“I wasn’t the most skilled, but I did the work and never gave up because people believed in me,” she said.

“Gratitude is the word I chose to describe my experience at Rockhurst because of the experience and skills I learned there. And in my gratitude, I want to share that with other students so they can enjoy the spirit and values that a Rockhurst education gives them.”

Sullivan now supports Rockhurst and the women’s soccer program to help show that same belief in others and provide new opportunities for student-athletes.

“I can confidently say my time at Rockhurst and in athletics has helped elevate my professional career, and I hope every contribution I make will ensure other student-athletes have those same opportunities,” said Sullivan.

Creasy and her family founded and continue to support Grandma’s Pantry. Her grandmother, Peggy Ems, was well known in the family for saying, “No one is ever going to go without food in our family,” and offering help to others in tough times.

Grandma’s Pantry, Rockhurst University’s on-campus free-will food pantry for students, faculty and staff, opened in April 2019 with a simple premise — that no member of this community should go hungry.

Nancy Creasy, ’84, founding benefactor of Grandma’s Pantry and chair of the Rockhurst University Board of Trustees.

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LLC, in Lenexa, Kansas, and the Clay Blair Family Foundation. He and his family established the Clay Blair Family Foundation in 1987 and have made significant gifts to many educational programs throughout the Kansas City Metropolitan area. Scholarship recipient Oryanna Pace, BSN class of 2026, shared, “The Blair Nursing Scholarship has been a godsend for students like me who are determined to achieve their ambitions but face financial barriers. It is a beacon of hope that shines brightly in the face of adversity, and I cannot stress enough how much of a difference it has made in my life. My sincere thanks to the Clay Blair Family Foundation!”

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Erika, ‘17, Beckett and Brendan Sullivan, ‘17

Sullivan has also found time to give back to Rockhurst through her service on the alumni planning team for the 50 Years of Women’s Athletics Celebration scheduled for April 12-14, 2024. Erika and her husband, Brendan Sullivan, ’17, live in Dallas, Texas, with their future Hawk Beckett.

Join Erika in supporting the Hawks by visiting www.rockhursthawks.com/ trueblue. Learn more about the 50 Years of Women’s Athletics Celebration by visiting www.rockhursthawks.com/celebratewomensathletics. celebrating stories of magis

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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Kansas City, M0.

Permit No. 782

1100 Rockhurst Road Kansas City, MO 64110-2561

UPCOMING EVENTS

APRIL 24,

2024

SAVE the DATE

NOV. 8 Ellen Spake Lecture Series Sedgwick A/B and Lobby 6-8 p.m.

DEC. 2 St. Louis Alumni Christmas Party Lewellyn’s I. Webster Groves 6 p.m.

DEC. 2 Santa at the Rock Rock Room 5-6:30 p.m.

DEC. 19 Omaha Christmas Party Champions Run 6-9 p.m.

FEB. 8, 2024 Alumni Night at the Ballgame Convocation Center 5 p.m.

FEB. 10, 2024 2024 Athletics Hall of Fame Arrupe Hall Auditorium

One DAY. One MATCH. Change a student's life FOREVER. For more information, visit rockhurst.edu/alumni.

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