A FOUNDATION OF LEADERSHIP

development of friendships that can serve them for a lifetime. And, in serving them to this end, we hope they, like our alumni across the world, will use that foundation to serve others. Along with our goals for their eternity with God, the call to serve and lead is the goal of Jesuit education at Rockhurst, and indeed, all Jesuit schools.

With deep gratitude for the vocational call of our faculty, staff, administration, coaches, and moderators, I applaud the work they do to accompany our young men in helping them to build this foundation.

am deeply grateful to our parents for entrusting their sons to us during these formative years as we partner for the hopes and visions they have for their sons’ development in our Jesuit tradition.

And, to our benefactors, this President’s Report is a simple expression of deep gratitude to each of you who make our work with these young men possible. Thank you.

often like to say that the more than one century existence and excellence of Rockhurst is miraculous. Why do I say that? Because our entire

Dear Rockhurst Community,

Very often when I’ve had the chance to visit with alumni from a variety of decades, I like to ask them about their Rockhurst experience. It is a fun way for me to both get to know individuals and to learn about the school’s history from their perspective. These conversations often are filled with specific memories of activities, friends, and teachers. Often, they recall moments invoking smiles and laughter. They recall fond memories and the fun of high school and friendships that last until today. Sometimes, they remind an alumnus of a painful moment or period in their life. It isn’t uncommon for alumni to say something to me in these conversations like: “Rockhurst really helped me to learn how to think, serve, and work hard.” Less than any specific course they studied or lesson they learned, it was more about the foundation they were given to go onto higher education and into their vocational lives beyond Rockhurst.

Creating these positive, rigorous, challenging, fun, and formational opportunities for today’s young men remains our work in giving our students a solid foundation of faith, intellect, commitment to service, and the existence is made up of people’s choices. The Jesuits did not have to start Rockhurst; they chose to do so. Families are not obligated to choose Rockhurst for their sons; they have made an election to do so. And our benefactors offer their resources freely, in order that we might thrive.

These “elections” of people over the generations are both humbling and awe-inspiring. If our Jesuit tradition invokes the motto of the Society of Jesus – Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (For the Greater Glory of God) – then we humbly place the goodness of Rockhurst to this end.

The amazing inspiration of watching our students build a foundation for leadership is also awe-inspiring. We are so very proud of our young men and the ways they respond to the formational opportunities presented to them at Rockhurst. It is our hope that along with their faith development these years, they will become the alumni who think back fondly on their time at Rockhurst and can continue to reflect on the foundation of hard work and an ability to think and serve well throughout their lives.

This great Rockhurst tradition could not aspire to build such a foundation without your generous support. A priority in offering that foundation is our commitment to assist parents in need of financial assistance for their sons to attend Rockhurst.

The mutual commitment of our school to provide that assistance, and of those families to also choose Rockhurst for the excellency of its programs for their sons, is a part of the miracle of Rockhurst this past year.

This report reflects the foundation of leadership that you have helped us to provide in the miracle of Rockhurst in 2021-2022.

May God bless you and those you love, In Christ,

DAVID J. LAUGHLIN President