Winter 2026 issue of RU Magazine

THE MAGAZINE OF ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY

WINTER

2026

A New Sacred Home Community Celebrates New Chapel, Center

Also In This Issue

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Alumni, faculty harness the power of AI. For alumni, Jesuit education is a great travel companion.

TIME AND PLACE

Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 Bourke Field The Hawks celebrate after defeating Maryville in the NCAA DII Super Regional Round, sending them to the Round of 16.

Winter 2026 THE MAGAZINE OF ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY

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In Every Issue

Meaningful Mass

Time and Place

Sacred symbolism highlights a joyous dedication on campus.

Inside front cover

From the Rock 5

OT Service in Ecuador

6

Athletics

8

Student Profile

9

Faculty Kudos

Alumni 24 Class Notes 27 In Memoriam 28 Hawks Together 30 Hawk Tales

Leading the Way Inside Back Cover

16 The New Frontier AI is here. How are members of the RU community harnessing its power?

20 The Long and Winding Road Even on the curviest path, a Jesuit degree puts you in the driver’s seat.

RU is published by the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Editor: Katherine Frohoff, ’09 EMBA; Design: JJB Creative Design; Contributing Writers: Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., Katherine Frohoff, Tim Linn; Photographers: Emma Koca, Stephen Kennedy, Tim Linn, Earl Richardson, Liz Zayat.

Rockhurst University Mission and Vision Rockhurst is a comprehensive university and a supportive community that forms lifelong learners in the Catholic, Jesuit, liberal arts tradition who engage with the complexities of our world and serve others as compassionate, thoughtful leaders.

Our vision is to create a more just world through inclusive, innovative and transformative education.

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

When change seems scary, whether it’s a career switch or the adoption of new technology such as AI, Jesuit-educated graduates have a clearcut advantage — the core values and emphasis on critical thinking.

Grounded in Values, Embracing Change When meeting Rockhurst alumni, the most common questions I receive center on how the University is dealing with some type of change in our world. Whether personal, national or global, change can be unsettling.

On a personal level, life is full of change — moving to a new location, making a career change, a marriage, or the birth of a child. We look forward to learning about these milestones in the lives of our graduates. But the pace of transformation associated with federal policy changes, a global disruption, or the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence can make even the most confident among us pause. Yet, at times like these, I am reminded that our Catholic, Jesuit, liberal arts tradition offers a source of comfort and a compass.

For nearly five centuries, Jesuit education has formed Sandra Cassady, Ph.D. people who are ready to meet change with curiosity, President discernment and courage. Rockhurst graduates enter an ever evolving world with a deep sense of purpose. They know that while tools and technologies may shift, the call to seek truth, to serve others, and find God in all things remains constant.

Artificial intelligence, for example, challenges us to rethink what it means to be human, to work, to learn, and to lead. Those who are Jesuit-educated possess a distinctive advantage: they have been taught how to think critically and act ethically. Rockhurst students learn to engage complex changes through Ignatian reflection. They are encouraged to examine experiences, critically appraise content, weigh perspectives, and discern the greater good. These habits of mind are timeless — and they are precisely what our world needs in this age of accelerating change.

When I meet alumni who have switched careers, launched start-ups, or adopted a new tool such as AI into their work, they often say the same thing: “I wasn’t afraid to change, I knew how to learn and was excited to learn a new approach.” That confidence is the hallmark of a Jesuit education.

At Rockhurst, we are embracing new technologies with that same spirit of discernment. We are exploring AI’s potential to enhance learning, research and service, while also asking the hard questions about equity, privacy and ethics. We are forming students who will not only use AI but also guide its responsible development. For additional perspectives on AI, see the feature in this issue on Page 16.

Change will always come, often faster than we expect. Yet our purpose — to educate men and women for and with others — withstands time. St. Ignatius urged his companions to be “contemplatives in action” — people who move to take decisive action, grounded in reflection and faith. That wisdom is as vital today as ever. Change provides opportunities to lead with courage and live with purpose. P 2 Winter 2026

ROUNDUP | FROM THE ROCK

Beautiful Scenery and New Friendships Mark Alumni European Tour A group of alumni and friends joined Rockhurst University President Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., and her husband, Ray, on a nine-day October trip through some of the most beautiful sights in Central Europe.

The adventure began in the Swiss Alps with a tour of Lucerne, followed by a visit to Munich, Germany, and then on to Salzburg and Vienna, Austria. The group visited palaces, cathedrals, key historical sites and a centuries-old Benedictine monastery in the small town of Melk, Austria.

“I think we were just into our second full day of exploring when we started talking about where we should go next,” said Paula Moss, vice president for university advancement.

“We are looking at several possibilities for a future trip because we all enjoyed the Rockhurst companionship so much — connecting through our university experiences while also making new memories together.” P

(From left) Tim Graver, ’88; Shanalee Graver; Jennifer Taylor, ’01; Lynette Procopio, ’87; Paula Moss, vice president for university advancement; and Karla Gete, ’19 MBA, paid a visit to the famed beer hall and restaurant, Hofbräuhaus, in Munich, Germany.

“It made the Gift With Personal students feel like Touch Welcomes New Students they were not When students showed up for their common struggles with motivation and first Manresa class at the start of the fall procrastination. Emory said the idea to just a number semester, they were surprised to find a copy have academic deans inscribe the books at a big university. of the book “Atomic Habits,” by James Clear, came from a desire to personally welcome that included a handwritten personalized each student to the University, to give them But that they message from the dean of their academic something that would help them succeed, would receive division. Manresa: Rockhurst’s First Year and to provide a memento of the start of individualized Journey is a course designed to help new their college journey. support here and students be successful during their time at “It made the students feel like they were not Rockhurst. that Rockhurst is just a number at a big university,” Emory said, Matt Emory, Ed.D., success coach, said he “but that they would receive individualized a place where selected the book, which offers step-by-step support here and that Rockhurst is a place close relationships strategies for creating goals and starting where close relationships can easily form.” P can easily form.” a healthy habit, to help students through —Matt Emory, Ed.D. 3 rockhurst.edu

FROM THE ROCK | IMPACT OUR WORLD

Students Hear the Voice and Feel the Spirit of the Church at Youth Jubilee The election of Pope Leo XIV — the first North American to ascend to the papacy — has generated lots of excitement among American Catholics of all ages.

That includes a lucky handful of Rockhurst University students who were able to travel to Rome to be part of this past August’s Jubilee of Youth, which occurs every 25 years and serves as a pilgrimage for young members of the Church.

Going meant giving up some creature comforts — sleeping on concrete floors, showering outside — but for junior Molly Kimmey, all of that was worth it for the experience to be in fellowship with approximately 1 million young people of faith. The highlight of the trip, Kimmey said, was the gathering in the Tor Vergata area, where the massive crowd gathered for a sunset vigil and morning Mass with Pope Leo XIV. She said the Pope encouraged the

Students and Anna Muenchen, campus minister for retreats and spiritual development (Right), in Rome for the Jubilee of Youth.

crowd to tackle big challenges by thinking not what to choose, but who.

“This trip was filled with new people, new experiences and countless lessons,” Kimmey said. “I was inspired by the joy and faith of those around me, and I came home reflecting deeply on how I can carry that into my everyday life.” P

Rockhurst, Catholic Schools Celebrate Season of Creation Starting in September and lasting through the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4, the Season of Creation is an annual ecumenical celebration of the Earth, with a call to “care for our common home.”

To celebrate the occasion, Rockhurst University education students invited pupils from two area Catholic schools — St. Elizabeth and Visitation — for a stroll on RU’s verdant campus and an activity aimed at sharing their experience with nature through a creative work.

It was both a way to educate the third-grade students about the season and its meaning and an opportunity for Rockhurst’s future educators to design an engaging lesson that incorporates technology.

“This is my second time with this school and both experiences have been really awesome,” said senior Carly Rolf.

“Every time I get to be in the classroom, it’s just very fun and makes me realize why I want to be a teacher.” P

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IMPACT OUR WORLD | FROM THE ROCK

Occupational Therapy Students Return to Ecuador

“I think these trips have a huge impact both for the volunteers and the communities we serve.”

—Liz Zayat, program director for health science Anna Burke, occupational therapy student, interacts with a patient at Damien House, a facility for those with Hansen’s disease in Ecuador.

It had been a longstanding tradition since 2007 — each summer, students and faculty in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program travel to Ecuador provide therapy services for inpatients and outpatients at Damien House, a center for individuals with Hansen’s disease, commonly known as leprosy.

Then 2020 happened, and the pandemic put the experience on pause until this summer, when OT students and faculty returned to Ecuador. They also added a trip to Guatemala, where students visited a factory that produces wheelchairs for those who live in

areas where road conditions make wheelchair travel difficult.

new equipment and facilities in the five years the trip was on hiatus.

“I think these trips have a huge impact both for the volunteers and the communities we serve,” said Liz Zayat, program director for health science, who accompanied the students on the trip. “I think the word that gets used is ‘transformative.’”

OTD student Malena Bixby said the trip solidified for her the motivation to pursue OT, and why OTs have a unique perspective when it comes to caring for all patients.

The return to Ecuador was like visiting an old friend. And like an old friend, it was an opportunity to get reacquainted. Because of the relationship with Rockhurst, Zayat said the clinic had been able to invest in

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“OT isn’t one size fits all,” she said.

“Even if people come in with the same diagnosis, their treatment is going to look widely different from some one of the same age and background, simply because their lives make them unique individuals.” P

F RO M T H E RO C K | H AW K S N E ST

Tennis is a Tool for International Student Success Senior Sofia Valdespino remembers when she fell in love.

Her parents had enrolled her in tennis lessons in her native Mexico City when she was five years old.

“From the moment I picked up a racket, I fell in love with the sport,” she said.

Sofia Valdespino

More than a sport or hobby, tennis has taught Valdespino discipline and resilience and given her the drive to push herself mentally and physically.

That drive to challenge herself led her from Mexico to Rockhurst, where she is studying international business and is part of the women’s tennis team. In spring 2025, the squad captured

Bourke Field Gets Glow-Up Over the summer, Bourke Field underwent a makeover. Upgrades included LED lighting and new turf for the field, which is used by men’s and women’s soccer and men’s and women’s lacrosse. The effort was made possible by alumni, families and organizations who contributed and pledged over $750,000 toward the project. P

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their first-ever Great Lakes Valley Conference championship and first-ever NCAA Division II Sweet 16 berth. Despite coming from different corners of the world, Valdespino said the team members coalesced on the court.

“We share the same goal of representing Rockhurst well and giving our best in every match,” she said. “That determination played a big part in our success.”

It’s also helped her adjust to life away from home and as a student-athlete.

“Balancing academics, athletics, and life away from home isn’t always easy, but it’s taught me how strong and adaptable I can be,” Valdespino said. P

H AW K S N E ST | F RO M T H E RO C K

“I think Alaska had a huge impact on our team’s chemistry.”

—Sarah Pyle, senior volleyball player (Top) Members of the men’s basketball team traveled to Costa Rica, while the women’s volleyball team traveled to Alaska (Bottom) to start their seasons.

Athletics Teams Travel to Costa Rica and Alaska Life as a student-athlete can be demanding, requiring one to manage both the schedule for their sport and academic obligations while maintaining a social life.

But there are certainly benefits, too. The men’s basketball team and the women’s volleyball team learned that firsthand this semester when they both traveled for tournaments in Costa Rica and Alaska, respectively.

The men’s basketball team traveled to Costa Rica in August for a foreign tour, posting a 3-0 final record. Along the way, they managed to do some sightseeing — including a trip to volcano hot springs and ziplining — and service in the local community.

The women’s volleyball team headed north in September, to Fairbanks, Alaska, to take part in the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic. Senior outside hitter Sarah Pyle said the experience was not only an opportunity to see a different part of the country, but it helped team camaraderie at the beginning of the season.

“I think Alaska had a huge impact on our team’s chemistry,” she said. “Starting the season not necessarily how we wanted to, but facing that tough competition, allowed us to best prepare and focus on the areas that we need to improve to ultimately be as successful as we have been in conference play.” P

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FROM THE ROCK | PEOPLE

Jesuit Core Values Attract Doctoral Student to Online Program Although he lives in Boise, Idaho, and wasn’t familiar with Rockhurst University, Ted Marconi, ’26 Ed.D., said that when he started to look for a doctoral program he knew he had found the right one when he encountered Rockhurst.

“When I saw it, I said ‘this is the one’ because it was Jesuit and because of its core values.”

Marconi serves as director of mission integration at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, part of one of the largest national not-for-profit, faith-based health care systems.

“The core values of the Jesuits and Rockhurst and our core values at Saint Alphonsus are like hand and glove,” which made him feel at home, Marconi said. “Any Catholic organization is going to have similar core values based on Catholic Social Teaching.”

Ted Marconi, ’26 Ed.D.

“The core values of the Jesuits and Rockhurst and our core values at Saint Alphonsus are like hand and glove. Any Catholic organization is going to have similar core values based on Catholic Social Teaching.” —Ted Marconi

In his role, Marconi works to give his colleagues the tools and inspiration to integrate the mission into their everyday work, making each a mission leader. He also provides mission formation sessions for board members and others where they might focus on an aspect of Catholic Social Teaching or something currently happening within the community.

In addition, Marconi convenes teams when ethics consultations are needed, many of which involve end of life or maternal and child issues.

Marconi said that he hadn’t been thinking about pursuing a doctoral degree until a conversation with a supervisor a few years ago prompted him to think about “what’s next.”

Having recently turned 67 and now halfway through the program, Marconi urges others not to hesitate to advance their education.

“It doesn’t matter where you are in your life, do it,” he said. P

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PEOPLE | FROM THE ROCK

In Emerging Field, Faculty Member Helps Make Good Organizations Better Rockhurst University’s newest graduate degree is the Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

As far as names go, it’s a mouthful — not exactly music to one’s ears. But music is precisely what comes to mind for one-time music major Matthew Lineberry, Ph.D., director of and clinical associate professor in the program, when it comes to thinking about the growing field.

Lineberry said the team dynamics of music ensembles caught his attention during his college years.

“I was fascinated by elite-level music performers. I was fascinated by how people learn and teach complex skills, how we can overcome physical and mental difficulties, and so on.”

Matthew Lineberry, Ph.D.

“I got an early taste of that in graduate school, doing field A college mentor of his suggested industrial and research on the teams that use amazing ‘rescue robots’ organizational psychology as the way to make a living to perform unmanned search and rescue when there’s a studying those sorts of dynamics. As a professional in the mine collapse or other difficult-to-access disaster,” he said. field, Lineberry said he’s come to think of it a bit in terms of health care — I-O psychologists will “screen” an organization “More recently, I’ve been involved in helping surgical teams redesign their usual teamwork ‘playbook’ for when to identify trends or gaps, “diagnose” a particular area or an emergency happens in the middle of a surgery. It’s a issue, and “treat” it to improve organizational effectiveness privilege to help very smart and accomplished people take and fairness. Lineberry has worked as a civilian with the a fresh look at their work, experiment a bit, and end up U.S. Navy medical personnel and other health care feeling even better prepared.” P professionals to help those critical units function at the absolute top of their game.

Faculty Kudos Kris Vacek, OTD, professor of occupational therapy, received the “Lifesaver” award at the HLC annual conference in Chicago in early April 2025. The Lifesaver award is for “peer reviewers who stepped up in a serious way when emergencies arose.” P

Elif Dilden, Ph.D., assistant professor of economics, is a co-author of “Parental Time Allocation and Gender Disparities: The Role of Child Tax Credit Reform,” which was published in the May 2025 issue of AEA Papers and Proceedings. P

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FROM THE ROCK | IN CLASS

Board of Trustees Welcomes Four New Members The Rockhurst University Board of Trustees recently welcomed four new members.

Lori Top, ’18 EMBA, is vice president of development, science and technology for VanTrust, where she focuses on fostering strategic client, consulting and construction partnerships. Prior to joining VanTrust, she served as a principal at Burns & McDonnell.

Top holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kansas and she earned an MBA through the Rockhurst University Executive MBA program in 2018. She is a LEED Accredited Professional and registered architect in New York and Missouri.

Kimberly Kvaal, Ed.D., serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer at the University of Puget Sound, a nationally recognized liberal arts institution.

She previously served as vice president for finance and administration at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, and as associate vice president for accounting and business services at the University of San Francisco. In 2016, she was honored with the Daniel D. Robinson Award for outstanding contributions to the field of university accounting and reporting by the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO).

Jessica Lea, PharmD, ’14 EMBA, is the CEO of Tria Health. She began her career as a registered pharmacist and has held a number of roles in pharmacy practice and education, including as an adjunct clinical professor at the University of MissouriKansas City School of Pharmacy. Since 2017, Lea has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Northland Health Care Access and has earned many honors and awards, including PharmaVOICE, Top 40 Under 40, Women Who Mean Business and NextGen Leader.

Helen Krause, ’21, ’22 M.A., is founder and owner of Photobooth by HK. She serves on the board of Connext, the emerging leader program of Nonprofit Connect. While at Rockhurst, she was a member of the women’s lacrosse team and she now coaches girls lacrosse at Pembroke Hill School.

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IN CLASS | FROM THE ROCK

The Numbers Tell the Story There is no shortage of inspiring personal stories among those in the Rockhurst University community. But numbers also help tell the story of the difference a Rockhurst education makes.

Here are a few of the most recent stats we’re bragging about (politely, of course).

#6 #11

RANKI NG AM O NG R EG I O NAL U NI VER SI TIE S in the Midwest U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT BEST COLLEGES 202 6

B EST U ND ERG RADUATE T EAC HI NG

among Midwest regional universities U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT BEST COLLEGES 202 6

1000+ NEW ST U D ENT S

between May and September 2025, including undergraduate and graduate counts

#18, 24, 32 N AT I O NAL RANKI NG S FOR T HR EE U ND ERG RAD UATE BU SI NES S P RO G RA MS — management, analytics and marketing, respectively U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT BEST COLLEGES 202 6

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ROC K HU R ST ’S RANKI NG A MO N G ALL CO LLEG ES A N D U NI VER SI T I ES in the nation

FORBES MAG A ZINE AMERICA’S TOP COLLEGES: FIVE HUNDRED COLLEGES THAT SHINE

New Programs Expand Opportunities at Rockhurst and Beyond The number of graduate programs offered by Rockhurst University is once again expanding — and not just in Kansas City.

The Master of Science in Information Systems launched in fall 2025. Geared toward preparing leaders for in-demand fields such as IT management, cybersecurity, data analytics, and enterprise systems, the MSIS is STEM certified by the U.S. government, making it an attractive option for international students.

The Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology is a new program where students will learn how to help organizations and companies to foster performance, productivity and an office culture that is effective and just. This hybrid program is one of the first of its kind in the region (see Page 9 for more on what an MS-IOP program entails).

Finally, Rockhurst University will offer its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree to students on the campuses of two fellow Jesuit institutions, Creighton University and Regis University. In fall 2025, courses began for students at Regis University’s Denver, Colorado, campus. Students at Creighton University’s campuses in Omaha, Nebraska, and Phoenix, Arizona, will have the same opportunity starting in fall 2026. There is a separate online post-bachelor’s leveling program that will be offered to students at those sites. P

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F E AT U R E

Meaningful Mass and Ceremony Dedicate New Chapel and Faith-Justice Center

By Katherine Frohoff, ’09 EMBA

The new Mabee Chapel and Alvin Brooks Center for FaithJustice were dedicated during Family and Alumni Weekend Sept. 27 during a symbolic ceremony and special Mass. Through the Mass, the space was consecrated and made ready for liturgical and prayer celebrations.

Bishop James V. Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph blessed the exterior of the building with holy water and led a procession inside the building where he blessed the interior of the Brooks Center.

Bishop Johnston anointed the altar with sacred chrism in its center and in each of its four corners, making it a symbol of Christ, who, before all others, is “the Anointed One.” Incense was burned on the altar to signify that Christ’s sacrifice ascends to God as a pleasing fragrance and that the people’s prayers rise up, pleasing and acceptable, reaching the throne of God. Two alumni covered the altar with cloth and students brought candles, which were placed 13 rockhurst.edu

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on the altar and lit to symbolize that Christ is a light to all nations (Luke 2:32) and that his brightness shines through the Church in the whole human family.

Throughout his life, St. Ignatius of Loyola had a deep devotion to Mary.

As a Jesuit university, Rockhurst echoes that devotion in many ways, as does the artwork in Mabee Chapel. “The Marian Crossroads,” by the Rev. Arturo Araujo, S.J., which adorns the rear wall, is a visual meditation on the universality of Mary. Four portraits, rendered in diverse cultural expressions, form a cross — both a sacred symbol of salvation and a meeting point where faith journeys converge.

The crucifix on the front wall of the chapel features an “absent cross,” a void framed by four panels of gold. This negative space is not empty but alive with meaning. It proclaims the cross is no longer an instrument of death but a doorway into life.

Alvin Brooks, a longtime civil rights advocate in Kansas City for whom the new Alvin Brooks Center for Faith-Justice is named, read scripture at the dedication Mass. P

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The New Frontier

By Tim Linn

Artificial intelligence isn’t coming. It’s here.

But it’s not exactly new, said Lyndsay Noble, director of analytics and technology programs and clinical assistant professor of analytics. She said the ideas behind today’s innovations have their roots in work that was taking place in the 1960s. The launch of consumer-level tools and enterprise solutions in recent years has opened a new frontier for AI. And just as the members of the Society of Jesus once went to the geographic frontier with their works, members of the Rockhurst University community are at the forefront of what’s possible with this technology.

The Heart of Storytelling JQ Sirls, ’10, has been a storyteller for almost as long as he can remember.

Sirls made a career in children’s literature after graduating from Rockhurst.

Even as he found success in that realm, a thought nagged at him.

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“How can we best make children’s books where the child is included? How do I make a book where the reader is the protagonist?” he said.

F E AT U R E

“A lot of people use it to fill experience gaps.

AI is a tool. It’s not the expert, it gives experts superpowers.”

—JQ Sirls, ’10

Herston Fails and JQ Sirls, ’10 (Right), are founders of Storytailor, a storytelling platform that integrates AI.

The answer wouldn’t come until years later, when Sirls said he sat down for the first time with a beta version of ChatGPT. He quickly realized this was the missing piece of his vision.

lesson plans and questions, and pattern detection, which can give caregivers and other insights into how a child is feeling. Sirls said AI is only a small part of what makes Storytailor unique.

A Lab That Conducts Its Own Experiments

“I didn’t get a Eureka moment because of AI,” he said. “AI caught up with me.”

With a growing user base of close to 6,000 and several hospital and other partnerships, Sirls said he plans to continue adding features and leveraging AI in a way that allows his own journey in storytelling — and the human experience of telling stories — to shine through.

That’s the question at the heart of the work of Aldair Gongora, Ph.D., ’16. A staff scientist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California, Gongora is part of a team developing what is called self-driving or automated labs.

Sirls integrated AI to create Storytailor, a platform in which children can become part of their very own story.

Sirls said Storytailor promises more than custom story generation — it can be a therapeutic tool for caregivers, as well. Stories come with

“A lot of people use it to fill experience gaps,” he said. “AI is a tool. It’s not the expert, it gives experts superpowers.”

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Can you keep science moving forward, even if you are not in the lab?

Self-driving labs incorporate machine learning, AI and engineering. Gongora said he first encountered the concept during graduate school.

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“I believe that if we are able to get these technologies into the hands of subject matter experts, it could transform the way we do science.”

—Aldair Gongora, Ph.D., ’16

Timothy Yee and Aldair Gongora, Ph.D., ’16, are researching how to speed up scientific discovery using machine learning and AI at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

“At one point it felt like it was just me and a couple other people in the world working on this, but since the pandemic, it’s really exploded,” he said.

The self-driving laboratories assist smaller scientific teams in the time-consuming tasks that come with running experiments with a lot of variables. One project he is working on is an automated “mat gym,” in which robots can run ongoing tests on new materials — work that would otherwise require human intervention.

Building labs that can run these kinds of specialized movements over and over with precision means designing new technology and working with machinelearning to fine tune and build

software that can serve as the “brain” to run experiments.

Gongora said the work is challenging but fulfilling, in part because it could lead to getting life-changing discoveries into the hands of the public sooner.

“I believe that if we are able to get these technologies into the hands of subject matter experts, it could transform the way we do science,” he said.

Training Tomorrow’s Nurses The wide availability of AI tools has meant higher education has had to play a little catch up. Many students and faculty want to use the tools, but best practices, in some cases, lag.

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Andy Bayne, DNP, associate professor of nursing, said one group of nursing faculty collaborated on a scoping review of AI use in nursing classrooms that was published in the journal Nurse Educator. Their research showed there wasn’t a lot of literature or case studies out there.

“It made me a little less afraid to say I don’t know,” when it comes to integrating AI into nursing education, said Michelle Gerdes, Ed.D., associate professor of nursing. “Because I’m not the only one. There aren’t a lot of guidelines yet.”

But there are lots of important considerations, from data privacy to preventing students from

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Members of a research team pose with Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., president, after earning the Daniel L. Brenner Scholarly Achievement Award for their work exploring AI in nursing education.

relying on inaccurate information in a critical care setting. Luckily, the article seems to have started a wider conversation about AI in nursing. The research team was invited to be part of a podcast about its work, and members of the team have developed a survey for the broader nursing education community in the hopes of developing a better understanding of AI’s role in nursing education.

Looking to the Future Noble said she’s cautiously optimistic about the future of AI, though she does not deny wellfounded concerns. And she said there is a learning curve, from individuals using it as a search engine (and getting inaccurate

results) to companies not preparing their data in a way to maximize AI’s value.

“I’m also overwhelmed by how badly most people have adopted these kinds of tools,” she said.

In the classroom, many faculty are addressing AI use in their courses to prepare students both to utilize it in acceptable ways in their academic work and to give them skills that are becoming expected in today’s workforce. Doing so is about more than academic honesty or skill-building. Understanding the technology and how to use it in an ethical, effective way can make a Jesuit education even more potent, Noble said.

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“A lot of students know how to fool around with the tools but don’t know how to use it to be productive, which is what they need,” she said. “Every job is going to want AI expertise, but nothing replaces critical thinking.”

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The Long and Winding Road From studying the sloth to founding medical clinics for families in need, sometimes our Hawks fly to some unexpected destinations

By Tim Linn and Katherine Frohoff, ’09 EMBA

Rockhurst University sets students up for success in life — we can back that up with data. But where students find success after graduation depends on some combination of kismet, determination and making the most of opportunities presented to them.

These alumni are among many who paved their own path — different than the one even they could have imagined — by embracing chance and believing wholeheartedly in both their own power and that of their Jesuit education.

Jesuit Education Powers Physician’s Unlikely Journey A scholarly interest in history brought Luciano Garofalo, ND, ’09, to Rockhurst University. By the time he graduated he was on the path to become a Jesuit, pursuing a calling toward religious life.

In January 2009, Garofalo moved to Tacoma, Washington, to join a L’Arche community working with adults with intellectual disabilities. He said he quickly fell in love with the L’Arche people and a nearby Catholic Worker house and soon called the community home. But it was there he felt the calling to a different vocation — practicing medicine.

Luciano Garofalo, ND, ’09

After leaving the Jesuit novitiate, Garofalo returned to L’Arche, met his future wife, spent a season working on a Catholic Worker farm in Iowa, got engaged and returned to Tacoma. He eventually earned a master’s degree and a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine to enable him to practice an integrative, holistic form of care. He had a three-year post-doctoral fellowship in integrative medical research at the University of Washington.

Garofalo became a pediatrician specializing in the diagnosis of autism after seeing how early intervention can set 20 Winter 2026

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someone up for a healthy life. He joined with three other physicians to open a nonprofit clinic in Tacoma that serves primarily low-income patients.

Garofalo said his formation at Rockhurst is crucial to his work as a physician.

“There are a lot of studies that talk about leadership qualities from a liberal arts education. My ability to connect to people, to hear their story and to contextualize where they are at now, is very important in medicine.” P

Confidence to Change Direction Brings Alumna to one of the World’s Largest Companies As a student at Rockhurst Amanda (Trouba) Kruse, ’12, had one goal in mind — law school.

It’s why she switched to political science from business. And it worked — after earning her bachelor’s degree, she was off to law school. Everything was going as planned — except the plan itself.

“I picked political science because I was convinced I wanted to be a lawyer,” she said. “I thought that was my path, but I quickly decided it was not my path, and that was one of the best decisions I ever made.”

Kruse said her experience at Rockhurst University gave her an important tool as she switched gears — confidence.

“I think the focus for Rockhurst on the holistic person, the leadership skills, the attention to details and the ability to navigate sometimes uncomfortable situations — those are the things that I’ve relied on,” she said. “And because I had all of that I never had any doubt that I would be successful in what I chose to do.”

Amanda (Trouba) Kruse, ’12

In 2012, Kruse was hired at Microsoft as part of the global giant’s sales team. Eventually, she moved to sales strategy and now, she’s a senior business manager, helping oversee operations, strategy and organizational health. Throughout, she said she’s relied on her student experience — and even shared that as a guest lecturer for Rockhurst’s annual Leadership and Ethics Day — to continue to grow into her role. And the political science has come in handy, too.

“We are a global company, so understanding different cultures and systems and being able to meet people where they are and communicate with them, has really come in handy in this role,” she said. P

21 rockhurst.edu

F E AT U R E

Following the Muse – and the Sloth – Through History On its face, the journey of Seán Kane, ’15, seems straightforward — “student declares history major, pursues advanced degree in history.”

Case closed, right? Nope. Kane indeed came to Rockhurst hoping to pursue a Ph.D. But he had a lot of directions to go — a scope borne out by his original list of majors and minors (history, theology, music and French, to name a few). He explored a vocation with the Society of Jesus, earned a master’s degree in political science in England, and was offered a job as a political strategist here in the U.S. before deciding to pursue his Ph.D. in early modern European history from SUNY-Binghampton.

Seán Kane, ’15

Using its Tupi name, “haüt,” Theve described the sloth as a relative to humans that appeared to subsist on air, upending the European understanding of the natural order. The discovery of this text opened a whole strange new world of inquiry for Kane.

“There’s only really three of us who do this,” he said of studying historical sloth literature. “One for each toe.”

Then along came the sloth.

Using a methodology called historical zoology, Kane combs original texts for clues and cross-references them with other known materials to accurately identify individual species (and not just sloths). He credits the success he’s had to his own sense of curiosity, but also to the experience he had as a student at Rockhurst.

Kane was studying the work of André Thevet, a Franciscan priest who traveled to Brazil in the 1500s and chronicled the animals he encountered there.

“I like to find the patterns and the connections,” he said.

“And I think at Rockhurst I was able to do that, with faculty who always encouraged me to go deeper.” P

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F E AT U R E

Life Experience Plus Degrees Lead Alumna to Governor’s Mansion A serendipitously curated collection of experiences led Carrie Spanton, ’21, to a job that she says has only 44 others like it in the country — resident director at the Colorado governor’s residence, Boettcher Mansion.

Spanton, who majored in peace and international studies and minored in history, took a nontraditional path to education, foregoing college right out of high school to pursue a career in hospitality. She became a restaurant consultant for members of the Walton family in Bentonville, Arkansas, and gained fine dining and hotel experience in New Orleans.

After feeling burnt out and looking for a career change, she decided to attend Metropolitan Community College despite fears of not being able to handle the math requirements.

She did well enough to earn a full-tuition Trustees’ Scholarship to Rockhurst University.

Carrie Spanton, ’21

Following her graduation from Rockhurst, Spanton earned a master’s degree in public administration with a government, politics and policy focus from Cornell University, where she teaches courses as an adjunct faculty member.

After working for a brief time in university fundraising, the job in Denver caught her eye. She now works for the office of the governor and manages the residence staff, operations, tours, holiday decorations and events for everything from private wedding rentals to official turkey pardonings.

“I also manage the historic collection here, so it gives me the connection with history, my public administration degree and my hospitality background,” Spanton said. “All these things together made me weirdly qualified for this job. I’m not term limited. It’s kind of like being a big caretaker to this place.” P 23 rockhurst.edu

CLASS NOTES

’58 Jim Blair Is living in Madison, Wisconsin.

He received a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin and won a Nobel Prize at the Enzyme Institute for work throughout his career in chemistry.

’67 John Krabbe is retired in Tampa, Florida. He is a consultant for remediating soil after a career working as a professional engineer in Florida.

Robert Crossley is the author of a memoir titled “Waiting for the Pretzel Boy” (including a brief bit about his years at Rockhurst), which appeared in the July 2025 issue of the journal Arrowsmith.

’68 Philip Bossert has moved to Singapore.

’76 Lora Slaymaker retired January 2023.

’80 Michael Boland got married in October 2021 to Carla Valenti, ’84. They knew each other from working together at Landmark Bank in St. Louis, kept in touch over the years, and reconnected in 2010.

Denise (Young) Harvey was an active-duty member of the Army from 1983 to 1995 and is a war veteran. She retired in 2022 with a total of 38 years of federal government service.

’82 Michael Hill has been appointed as a deacon in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas in September 2024. He was named Defender of the Bond in October 2024 for the diocese.

’83 Greg Kisserk received the Jay B. Dillingham Award for Agricultural Leadership and Excellence in May at Kansas City’s Union Station.

’88 George Meiners was honored by the Kansas City Business Journal as one of the 2025 CFOs of the Year.

James Narron, a former Federal Reserve executive, has joined the U.S. advisory board of Quanam, a Uruguayan headquartered IT services company.

’93 Karen (Rainey) Trull married Eric Trull on March 7, 2025.

Connect with Rockhurst University

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 engage.rockhurst.edu/register/update and update your information today. Be sure to share your email address to receive the latest University and alumni news.

24 Winter 2026

CLASS NOTES

’95

’09

Michael Taylor is the author of “Unconstitutional,” scheduled to be published in the spring by Peter Lang of New York.

Luciano Garofalo co-founded Link Community Clinic, a nonprofit primary care clinic in Tacoma, Washington, where he practices general and developmental pediatrics.

’02 MBA John Wilson has been named vice president of finance at PMI KI Mid America.

’08, ’09 MBA Jeff Barnthouse was named to the Ingram’s Magazine 40 Under Forty Class for 2025, along with Edgar Palacios, ’11 MBA, and Lauren Roth, ’14 MBA.

’10 Julia Saucedo received a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington in June 2025. She was also offered a full-time job at an architecture firm in Seattle.

’12 M.Ed. Phillip Wrigley was one of three educators in the nation to receive the American Civic Education Teacher Award.

’09

’13

Marjorie Comer was named one of the Joplin Globe’s 20 Under 40 recipients.

She currently serves as the director of advancement for the Joplin Area Catholic Schools.

Tim Dulle has been named executive director of the University of Scranton’s Jesuit Center.

25 rockhurst.edu

CLASS NOTES

’19 MSN

’24

Lisa Whitfield is currently working at Amberwell Hospital in Atchison, Kansas, and for Metro Emergency Physicians, LLC, emergency room providers for Saint Luke’s Hospital.

Hannah Lindzy received the College of Education Staff Member of the Year Award for 2024-25 from Missouri Baptist University, where she works as an advisor.

’22 Ed.D.

’24 Ed.D.

Christopher Jennens, from Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, and Kerrie Emig-Schoen, ’17, M.Ed., from Citizens of the World Charter School, were both Star Certified Support winners at the 7th Annual Excellence in Education Awards, sponsored by SchoolSmart KC.

Carly Jean Colbert is the author of “Beyond Barriers: Supporting Formerly Incarcerated Students in American Higher Education,” an article based on her research during her doctoral program at Rockhurst, which was published in the Journal of Prison Education research. Colbert is the chief of staff at Le Moyne College.

’17 ’21

Katherine Sosna-Morris married Ian Morris in February 2024 in Saguaro National Park at Javelina Rocks in Tucson, Arizona, alongside her corgi Libby, who attended many events at RU during Sosna’s senior year.

Melissa (Ederle) Burns married John Burns, ’21, ’22 MBA, on Oct. 12, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Be sure to visit rockhurst.edu/alumni for a calendar of upcoming events. Connect with fellow Hawks on campus and elsewhere!

The editorial staff reserves the right to edit for content, accuracy and length, and cannot guarantee that items received will appear in the magazine.

Publication of an item does not constitute endorsement by Rockhurst University.

26 Winter 2026

IN MEMORIAM

Marilyn Carroll, Ph.D., professor emerita of sociology, died July 23, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of California-Los Angeles and was a member of the Rockhurst faculty from 1969 to 2007. She served as department and division chair, three terms as chair of the faculty senate and twice as self-study coordinator for accreditations. She was presented the Harry B. Kies Award for Distinguished Service in 1994. She was known as a professor who encouraged students to explore their interests, for lectures jam-packed with research, and for course content that she connected with current events. In addition, she enjoyed getting to know students personally and liked to meet alumni for lunch at a Jamaican restaurant near campus.

The Rev. Louis J. Oldani, S.J., professor emeritus of English, died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in Florissant, Missouri.

Fr. Oldani was a member of the Rockhurst faculty from 1971 to 2011, when he was named professor emeritus. He was a member of the Society of Jesus for more than 70 years. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1972, and his scholarly interests included Jesuit theater. In 1995, he was recognized with the Outstanding Chapter President Award by the Missouri Conference of the American Association of University Professors.

Robert Murphy, ’42 — September 11

Stephen Rehm, Ph.D., ’66 — September 18

James Crooker, ’80 — July 22

Daniel Brock, ’51 — September 28

Daniel Connealy, ’68 — July 21

John Esswein, D.D.S., ’80 — August 15

Frank Espinosa, ’51 — May 24

James Haubein, ’69 — September 24

Gaye Kaufman, ’81 — August 19

John Moore, Ph.D., ’55 — August 12

Joseph Cosgrove, ’70 — September 21

David Mitchell, ’84 — June 16

Fred Nobrega, M.D., ’56 — May 11

Dennis Hercules, ’70 — October 10

Pyare Mohan, ’84 — July 09

Joseph Searle, ’56 — July 27

George Wendt Jr., ’71 — May 20

Gerald Magliano, ’85 — June 13

Richard Teahan, ’57 — July 29

Timothy Page, ’72 — August 16

H. Hall Trice, ’86 — September 1

James Gleeson Jr., ’59 — August 10

Basil Briggs, ‘74 — May 12

Marjorie Duker, ’87 — May 24

Paul DeGeorge, ’60 — June 24

Ronald Shaffer, ’74 — June 20

Robert Starbuck, ’88 — September 17

Walter Howland, ’62 — September 13

Dr. Terence Wade, ’75 — August 1

Leonard Poppenhagen, ’90 — June 11

Timothy Sullivan, ’62 — June 15

Joseph Urusemal, ’77 — September 16

Michael Wickey, ’90 — August 15

H. Terrence O’Brien, ’64 — June 13

Joseph Doyle, ’78 — June 14

Kent Kirby, ’91 — May 15

William Davis Jr., ’66 — July 14

William Seiter, ’78 — May 14

Martin McGinley, ’00 — August 11

Alvin Payne, ’66 — May 17

Stephen Brown, ’80 — June 24

Olympia Pyburn, ’22 — September 28

We strive for accuracy and we apologize for any errors or omissions. This list represents deaths between May 8, 2025, and Oct. 17, 2025.

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H AW K S TO G E T H E R

Welcome Back, Hawks!

In September, all Hawks past, present and future were invited to campus for the annual Family and Alumni Weekend.

From the newly minted Golden Hawks Class of 1975 to the current students whose families were visiting, the weekend provided events and opportunities to reconnect as part of the larger community of Rockhurst University.

Weekend highlights included campus tours, a thank you luncheon for those whose gifts supported the improvements at Bourke Field, a yoga class on the new turf, and the traditional Friday night soccer game and tailgate activities.

28 Winter 2026

H AW K S TO G E T H E R

We want to see your photos!

Do you get together with fellow Hawks for fun, fellowship or service?

Send photos to universityrelations@rockhurst.edu.

29 rockhurst.edu

H AW K TA L E S

TO

Alumna Builds Career with Golfing for Good For Greta Hinds, ’24, golf has provided a pastime, a pathway to college, a career and an opportunity to help her community.

“As a first-generation college graduate, I saw Rockhurst as a place where I could truly succeed. When I first stepped on campus, I immediately felt a strong sense of community and kindness. The welcoming environment and support made it clear that it was the right place where I could truly grow academically and personally. This journey was entirely new for me, as my parents and siblings didn’t have the same opportunity. They were my biggest motivation and strongest support system throughout my undergraduate career.”

Hinds had long played the game, including as part of the women’s team at Rockhurst. As a sport management major, she was able to combine her love of golf with the ability to serve — volunteering with the Special Olympics and later as one of five students picked for an internship with the United States Golf Association Long Term Championships, traveling the country assisting with events.

One of those events was the United States Adaptive Open, where players of different abilities compete under different rules and with modified equipment. Hinds met golfers whose stories were truly inspiring, including a golfer who was blind due to chemical burns suffered on 9/11.

“I was able to be onsite for nearly three weeks and see the event from start to finish,” Hinds said. “The best part was seeing just how much time, effort, and attention to detail it took to create this national championship and the rewarding experience of seeing it play out. There was not a dry eye in the room during the awards.”

Yoselin Bautista-Morales, ’25

30 Winter 2026

Greta Hinds, ’24, poses with participants in an adaptive golf tournament. Hinds discovered adaptive golf during an internship as a student.

Hinds then worked for the Georgia State Golf Association, helping to host events, including adaptive golf tournaments, in the state. Critical thinking — and a focus on “cura personalis” — helped to make the events inclusive for people with a range of abilities. It also gave some valuable skills she will take as she returns to Kansas City for the next phase of her career, and more than a few memorable moments.

“The best part was announcing the winner of the second GSGA Adaptive Open — a child with Down syndrome who had no idea that he’d won — and seeing him celebrate with the crowd, knowing this was a moment he would remember and celebrate for the rest of his life,” she said. “It made the extra hours my team put in for the event all worth it.” P

H AW K TA L E S

Passion for Global Missions and Children Leads Alumna to Uganda Kimberly Reynolds, ’24 M.S. in speech-language pathology, traveled to Uganda to advocate for children with disabilities, completing her clinical fellowship with Hope Speaks in Kampala and serving with Imprint Hope in Jinja.

Q: Tell us about your 10-month fellowship in Kampala.

A: I worked at outreach clinics in deeply underserved communities, including Katanga, Kasokoso, and Kisenyi, and at The GEM Foundation, a special children’s home located rurally outside of Kampala. I also worked at a private clinic and an international school, providing speech, language, and feeding therapy across all settings. The people of Uganda are known for their hospitality — it’s deeply woven into their culture. Partnering with the local team was an invaluable experience, learning how to practice crossculturally and about the unique needs and barriers faced.

Q: What was your work in Jinja like?

A: It was a gift to extend my stay in Uganda and learn from another nonprofit, investing in four children and their caregivers as a speech therapist for a 7-week training program. Families from rural villages temporarily relocate to participate in daily educational courses, counseling, and rehabilitative services. Imprint Hope’s founder, an American occupational therapist, seeks to forge lasting, sustainable change in how disabilities are perceived and supported in Uganda.

Q: What surprised you most about Uganda?

A: Uganda is incredibly diverse, home to Africa’s largest refugee population — over 1.5 million — from countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Eritrea. While there, I gained a deeper understanding of the profound impact of early intervention, mainly by witnessing what happens when it’s unavailable. Most children with disabilities never receive an education, and their life expectancy is, sadly, often much shorter than in developed nations.

Kimberly Reynolds, ’24 M.S.

Q: What’s next for you?

A: I was inspired to return to the U.S. to further equip myself for practicing speech-language pathology globally.

I plan to work with a mentor in Houston, who has also spent time in Uganda, to gain more clinical experience and specialize in pediatric feeding and swallowing, and orofacial myofunctional therapy.

Q: What draws you toward working with children in a nonprofit setting?

A: Looking back, God has been preparing me for this work for a long time. After suddenly losing my mother eight years ago, I began working in full-time ministry and felt called to global missions. This, combined with my background in early childhood and passion for our field, has led me to this point. Now, I can’t imagine living life any other way. P

31 rockhurst.edu

H AW K TA L E S

Making an Impact, One Dog at a Time For nearly 20 years Brian Hesse, ’93, ’96 MBA, has welcomed adorable puppies into his home, loved them, showed them the world and then said goodbye to them after about a year and a half. Hesse doesn’t have attachment issues, he’s a volunteer puppy raiser for KSDS Assistance Dogs Inc. His current companion, Mystique, is the seventh dog he has raised for the organization and his first golden retriever. He receives the puppies when they are about eight weeks old and works for the next 16 months to socialize them for situations they may encounter in everyday life and to teach them 30 to 40 commands.

In addition to the standard tasks of turning lights off and on and opening doors, Mystique displayed a talent for taking off her human’s socks, so that has been incorporated into her training, taking advantage of the dog’s innate inclinations. In addition, Hesse says, the dogs are taught to go to the bathroom on command to accommodate the lifestyle of a future companion who may have mobility issues.

Hesse says one thing he likes about the organization is Brian Hesse, ’93, ’96 MBA that they donate their service animals to those in need free of charge. If Mystique is able to graduate from Puppy College, meaning that she’s among the approximately 70% of dogs who are not declined due to physical issues, she will be assigned to one of three tracks for further training: guide dogs, who serve people with vision problems; service dogs, who serve people with mobility issues; or facility dogs, who work with able-bodied people in places such as the court system, schools, occupational therapy settings and other situations where humans could benefit from the calming presence of an animal.

Hesse says the most common question he gets is, “Don’t you get attached?”

Although attachment is necessary for the dog to learn, Hesse says he’s come to enjoy attending graduation day and meeting the dog’s new forever companion.

“When you get to see how they’re making an impact on someone’s life, any tear becomes joy. It gets easier as you train more dogs because you go into it knowing exactly what to expect.” P 32 Winter 2026

TIME AND PLACE

Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 Bourke Field The Hawks celebrate after defeating Maryville in the NCAA DII Super Regional Round, sending them to the Round of 16.

L E A D I N G T H E WAY

“When I think about great leadership, it’s really pretty simple. It’s about showing up for people again and again and caring for the whole person.

That’s the kind of leader I strive to be, and the kind of leadership I encourage my team to bring to each other, our clients, and the communities we serve.”

Reece Clark, ’11, ’13 MBA Shareholder, Polsinelli PC

33 rockhurst.edu

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