A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

I am honored, privileged, and proud to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Rockhurst High. This year we finally moved past the coronavirus pandemic landmines that challenged our way of life every step of the way. Thanks to the leadership of our president, David Laughlin, and our principal, Fr. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, along with truly remarkable faculty, staff, and ever-flexible students and parents, we managed to overcome remote learning roadblocks while never shutting down. Rockhurst is a place that always seems to rise to the challenge. Everyone figured it out, worked together, and found a way to succeed. What a remarkable accomplishment by all.

I was fortunate to have attended Rockhurst High and graduated as part of the great Class of 1975. My sons went to Rockhurst. We learned many life lessons here. Not only does Rockhurst prepare you for college, it prepares you for life. It is the place that guides and prepares your spiritual formation. It is a place where you meet lifelong friends. It is a place that teaches you how to lead, how to give back, and at the same time learn how to pay if forward. It is a place that helps you truly learn how to become a “man for others” together.

We are fortunate to have assembled a dedicated Board of Trustees from all walks of life who voluntarily assist David Laughlin’s and Fr. Giacabazi’s teams’ continuing success for years to come. The Board focuses on the long-term financial viability of the school, as well as supports the long-term strategy designed by our school leadership.

We are grateful and truly appreciate the support of the alumni, the parents, and all of the tireless volunteers who make the Spectacular Auction, Fund-A-Need, the Hurtado Scholars Program, and many other efforts so successful. We can’t say thank you enough.

At the same time, we are in awe of the generous charitable contributions of the parents, alumni, and friends of Rockhurst. Thanks to you, we have been able to provide financial assistance to nearly half of our student body. Thanks to you, we have been able to stabilize the rate of tuition increases. Thanks to you, we have been able to add an advanced STEAM curriculum. The Board of Trustees thanks you for your generosity and for leading by example.

As look to the future, I am confident that David Laughlin and Fr. Giacabazi will lean on the ever-supportive staff, faculty, parents, and alumni to lead Rockhurst to ever higher heights. Or as the founder of Jesuits, St. Ignatius Loyola proclaimed: go out and set the world on fire. Thanks for all your support over the years.

Sincerely grateful,

OWEN ZIDAR ’75