RU Insider - Spring 2020

Insider rockhurst university

c e l e b r at i n g s t o r i e s o f m a g i s

SPRING 2020

THE SEELOS SIMULATION CENTER How This Hands-On Learning Lab Could Transform Health Care Education at RU

CONNECTING YOUNG ALUMNI

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t Rockhurst we tell our students on a regular basis about the importance of being skillfully prepared for their careers but are also quick to remind them they must also be ready to enter an ever-evolving world with conscience and character. Being Jesuit educated means they are, as our President the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., likes to say, “ruined for life.”

I don’t think I fully understood that concept at first, but at some point during my time as a Rockhurst student, it became clear to me that I was being called to a vocation, not just a career.

I was reminded of that this past year when I had a moving experience with one of our donors. The late Rev. Frank Palermo believed deeply in the work of Rockhurst University, knowing early on he wanted to set up a scholarship here to assist young people seeking a Catholic Jesuit education. I felt I knew him personally from stories that had been passed along over the years, but I only met him at the end of his life, when he was no longer verbally communicating.

During my last visit with him, I knelt by his wheelchair and thanked him for the transformational gift he was giving to Rockhurst students, then together we prayed the rosary. At each Hail Mary he would help me count by picking up one of my fingers. As we finished, he patted my hand, communicating without a word. I cried — who wouldn’t? — and left reflecting again on my vocation.

with RU Students

A Mary Mooney Burns, ‘93 Vice President of University Advancement

Father Frank Palermo recently left a transformation gift to Rockhurst in his will, saying, “It is my hope and prayer that you apply yourself as diligently to your education as I have in providing Soon after I accepted an invitation to begin a 9-month retreat journey in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, through which God continues to reveal who He is to these funds so that you me and who I am before Him. I am still in the midst of that discernment process, may be prepared to but I am certain that he has brought me to this place called Rockhurst and called offer a service to your community. And, if you me to serve faithfully. are able and willing, to So I, like Rockhurst, am a work in progress. In this Insider, you will not only help others in the pursuit learn about that progress, but be invited to continue your own journey with of higher education as Rockhurst. A University’s worth rests on the generosity of its alums and friends. you have been helped.”

Thank you for continuing your commitment to our students. With your help, we’ll continue in our vision to create a just world through inclusive, innovative and transformative education.

Mary Mooney Burns, ‘93 Vice President for University Advancement

ALUMNI/ADVANCEMENT/UNIVERSITY RELATIONS TEAM:

(Back row, from left) Brent Blazek, Amy Reardon, Riley O’Dell, Tim Linn, Hannah Tarwater and Gina Speese, (middle row, from left) Becky Sanchez, Gina Bhatt, Morgan Maloney, Ann Zanaboni, Kristy Peterson and Katherine Frohoff, (front row, from left) Katie Bolton, Jody Burgard, Paula Moss, Mary Mooney Burns and Bebe Harrington.

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rockhurst university insider

t Rockhurst, these three words are carved in stone — learning, leadership and service. They capture the essence of Jesuit education that has been impacting the world for more than 400 years. Inspired by that spirit, Rockhurst alumnus John Borders, ’10, ’13 MBA, gives his time, treasure and talent back to Rockhurst students well past his graduation.

Having worked as an admissions counselor at Rockhurst as he earned his MBA, Rockhurst made a lasting impression on John’s heart. Even as he began his career at Insurance Partners in Overland Park, Kansas, giving back was an easy decision. He has been a member of the Young Alumni Council since 2015 and currently serves as its president. John has also returned to campus to pass on some of his experience to current students during the annual Leadership and Ethics Day. "I give my time back to Rockhurst because I have identified how critical the University was to my growth personally and professionally,” he said. “I am passionate about bridging the gap between Rockhurst students and young alumni. Serving as a mentor or providing guidance to a student in need will help them with their individual growth and create an environment where more students are provided the experience I received.”

He’s not the only Hawk supporter in the family — his wife, Beth’s company Reese Nichols Real Estate sponsored the Betty Rae’s Ice Cream truck for the 2019 Family and Alumni Weekend.

Beth and John Borders with their children.

If you are interested in the Rockhurst Young Alumni Council, please contact Morgan Maloney at morgan.maloney@rockhurst.edu or 816-501-4807.

SHOUTOUT TO ROCKHURST MONTHLY DONORS! The compounded impact of a donation made on a monthly basis is huge! A great big thank-you to those of you who support Rockhurst student programs with a monthly, automatic, recurring gift. Recurring and predictable support of our students allows us to fund many more programs and initiatives leading to a better overall student experience.

If you are interested in becoming a monthly supporter of Rockhurst, please email or call Becky Sanchez at rebecca.sanchez@rockhurst.edu or 816-501-4431.

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S TAT E - O F -T H E - A R T S I M C E N T E R W I L L S E R V E

BELIEVE KANSAS CITYSM

RU’s Health Care Students For Generations

Initiative to Help Rockhurst Student Group Expand Outreach Programs

At the facility’s core will be a simulated hospital-bed environment, bringing lessons from the classroom to life for students in nursing, physical and occupational therapy, communication sciences and disorders, and exercise science programs. The center will also feature multiple simulated exam rooms, and stations where instructors can monitor each room or interact (as the patients) with students.

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Nursing students practicing patient care in a SIM lab.

he affiliation agreement announced in July 2019 between Rockhurst University and the Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences is a momentous occasion, one that marked the start of a new chapter in the rich history of health care education both institutions share.

Receiving the approval of the Higher Learning Commission in March, this is a natural partnership to fill a growing need locally and nationally for competent and compassionate medical professionals — in 2018, for example, staffing consultant Mercer reported health care fields would account for approximately 2.3 million new jobs in the United States, the fastest growing sector. But the same report projected shortages of qualified employees to fill those jobs, despite growth in the number of positions.

To fill that gap, students need qualified faculty and forward-thinking programs, and for more than a century, both Rockhurst and Saint Luke’s have delivered those. But they also need facilities that reflect the realities of the modern health care setting.

Pending a successful campaign to raise the needed $23 million, work is scheduled to begin in the fall on the renovation of Sedgwick Hall. As part of the project, the University will build the Seelos Simulation Center, a 10,700-square-foot state-of-the-art lab space in the building designed to meet the needs of health care-related programs offered by the University both today and into the future, made possible thanks to a $6 million gift.

BE A PART OF THE NEXT CHAPTER OF SEDGWICK HALL: Contingent upon raising the final $6 million of the $23 million-dollar project, construction will begin this fall.

Naming opportunities are still available. If you are interested in making a gift to this project, please contact Mary Mooney Burns, ’93, vice-president for advancement, at mary.burns@rockhust.edu or 816-501-4199.

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rockhurst university insider

“The Seelos Simulation Center will be the heart of the reimagined Sedgwick Hall,” said Mary Burns, ’93, vice president for University advancement.

“This facility will give our students the valuable experience they need to be not only effective health care practitioners, but providers who embody our core value of ‘cura personalis.’ We are grateful to the generous donors who have made this possible.”

The opportunities that the center will open up extend beyond training the individual disciplines.

The Seelos Simulation Center will allow students across disciplines to learn and train together, mirroring the contemporary care environment, which often requires teams of care to work together for the patients’ well-being.

It’s fitting that the name of the center comes from the Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos. Fr. Seelos remains a widely-admired figure in the Catholic Church, a beacon for many who devote themselves to the value the Jesuits call “cura personalis,” or care for the whole person. Devoting his life to helping those on the margins, Fr. Seelos was serving those with yellow fever in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1867 when he contracted and died from the disease himself. He is venerated to this day in New Orleans and embodies selfless service to many — in 2000, St. Pope John Paul II bestowed the title of “blessed” on Fr. Seelos, recognizing his work and influence on caregivers.

Through a new employee initiative called Believe Kansas CitySM, AT&T is committed to helping build a better tomorrow for local youth by addressing the second-leading cause of death for young people in Kansas and Missouri — teen suicide. And among their partners is a student group at Rockhurst University dedicated to reducing the stigma around mental illness.

Committing more than $300,000 this year and working with groups in both Kansas and Missouri, Believe Kansas CitySM, an AT&T employee initiative, will promote awareness and generate support around youth issues and suicide prevention through technology, innovation and collaboration. Rockhurst University’s chapter of the national organization Active Minds is the recipient of a grant to expand on-campus outreach efforts on mental health and suicide prevention, with funding for: Sanvello, a mobile app available to supplement the work of the Counseling Center Active Minds speaker fees and workshops Active Minds conference fees and travel costs Active Minds mental health programming throughout the 2019-20 academic year Chapter supplies and promotional materials If you are interested in supporting Active Minds or other campus student organizations, contact Paula Moss, executive director of development, 816-5014418 or paula.moss@rockhurst.edu.

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CAREER SERVICES SPOTLIGHT

Hiring Rockhurst Students ROCKS! The Rockhurst Career Services Office plays an integral role in connecting students seeking internships and full-time opportunities with Rockhurst alumni seeking employees. The Jesuit tradition of Rockhurst University focuses on learning, leadership and service in addition to a rigorous core curriculum required of every student.

UPCOMING EVENTS After you leave the Rockhurst University campus, you remain a Hawk for life. Connect with fellow Hawks at an upcoming alumni event, or by checking the calendar at rockhurst.edu/alumni.

This approach produces graduates who are well-rounded individuals and familiar with the Kansas City metro community. Whether you are looking for an accountant or a writer, the programs at Rockhurst University have graduates who fit your needs.

The RU Career Account is a web-enabled system that connects Rockhurst alumni and students with potential employers. The database contains an up-todate listing of career opportunities with local, regional and national employers.

Because we are centrally located in the Kansas City metro area, students can gain practical experience with an internship while continuing to pursue their degree.

Jim Glynn, ’74, founder of GlynnDevins marketing and advertising agency, has hired several Rockhurst graduates and says many of them have quickly proven themselves worthy of leadership positions. “Rockhurst students are taught how to learn and this is a huge benefit for an employer,” he said. “Specifics of an industry are not part of any college curriculum so the ability of knowing how to learn is key.”

CHARLIE THOLL, ’03,

MIKE THEOBALD

Director of Career Services

If you are interested in learning more about RU Career Services, please contact Mike Theobald at mike.theobald@rockhurst.edu or 816-501-4861.

Bob Merrigan, '76, founder of Merrigan & Co., has also hired many Rockhurst graduates and interns over the years.

“I have confidence in hiring a Rockhurst graduate, knowing they have a solid base to start from, but even more importantly, a willingness to learn that will help them succeed,” he said.

Couple Pay Their RU Experience Forward

Growing up in Kansas City, Kansas, Mark and Margaret Harris weren’t sure they would attend college. Eventually, with the help of scholarships, both Bishop Ward High School graduates enrolled at Rockhurst College and graduated in 1973 with accounting degrees.

The Harris’s always knew they wanted to pay it forward and create a scholarship at Rockhurst University for a student in need from Kansas City, Kansas. Mark said, “My company had a matching gift program and I also decided to make my gift from my donor advised fund for the tax advantages.

Because of this we were able to make an even greater impact on a student.”

“A scholarship changed our lives and we are proud to make that difference for someone else.”

MARK HARRIS, ‘73

Mark and Margaret Harris

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INTERESTED IN CREATING A ROCKHURST SCHOLARSHIP? Contact Paula Moss, executive director of development, if you would like more information 816-501-4418 or paula.moss@rockhurst.edu.

rockhurst university insider

Is RU Athletic Programs’ No. 1 Fan Charlie Tholl, ’03, knows firsthand the value of supporting student-athletes.

After all, he was one. A former member of the Hawks baseball team while a student, Tholl said his experience helped shape him into the person he is today.

So it’s no surprise that, as an alumnus, Tholl is a steadfast supporter of those very same athletics programs. He was one of the first donors to step forward and commit to supporting the construction of new stadium seating and a press box at Loyola Park in 2017 and is an annual participant in the Fr. Joseph M. Freeman, S.J., Rockhurst Cup, the annual golf tournament supporting RU athletic programs.

Currently the vice president of Sales for Holland Interface Solutions in Kansas City, Missouri, Tholl lives in Prairie Village, Kansas, with his wife, Kathleen, and children Carson, Everly, and Jack. He said he’s glad to support athletics programs in the hopes of paying forward what made his own Rockhurst experience so lasting.

“I will forever be grateful for the opportunities provided to me at Rockhurst. Rockhurst not only provided me with a path to pursue my passion for sports, but with invaluable life lessons in leadership, work ethic, responsibility, dedication and teamwork that I use every day in my professional career,” he said. “I know that supporting Rockhurst University athletics allows other student-athletes to enjoy this same opportunity.”

If you would like more information on making a gift to Rockhurst Athletics programs or the Fr. Joseph M. Freeman, S.J., Golf Tournament scheduled for June 29, 2020, please contact Brent Blazek at brent.blazek@rockhust.edu or 816-501-4375.

Wednesday, April 22 Celebrate RU Kansas City, Missouri Friday, April 24 Wine Walk Kansas City, Missouri Thursday, April 30 Jesuit Alumni Breakfast St. Louis, Missouri June Rockhurst Coast to Coast Various Cities June/July Kansas City Summer event Kansas City, Missouri Monday, June 29 Fr. Joseph M. Freeman, S.J. Rockhurst Cup Kansas City, Missouri Thursday, Sept. 24- Sunday, Sept. 27 Family & Alumni Weekend Kansas City, Missouri Looking to organize a Rockhurst gathering where you live?

Contact Brent Blazek, ’17 MBA, brent.blazek@rockhurst.edu.

APRIL 22, 2020 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

W E L C O M E

GINA BHATT

Associate Director of Philanthropy

INTERESTED IN REMEMBERING ROCKHURST IN YOUR ESTATE? Contact Paula Moss, executive director of development, if you would like more information 816-501-4418 or paula.moss@rockhurst.edu.

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rockhurst university insider

Rockhurst University welcomes Gina Bhatt, associate director of philanthropy. She brings 20 years of experience in the field of philanthropy, including in Kansas City. Over her career, she has served college institutions in Missouri, Maryland and most recently Florida.

She is delighted to return to Kansas City to propel student success and service. She holds a B.A. in English and M.A. in Higher Education Administration. You may reach Gina at gina.bhatt@rockhurst.edu or 816-501-4256.