Laurence Wade Freeman “Man For Others” Scholarship to Assist Future Hawklets

Rockhurst High School honored Laurence Freeman ’82 for his 27 years of dedicated service to the Advancement Office (now Philanthropy & Engagement Office) at the annual Alumni Spaghetti Dinner on Nov. 11, 2021.

Part of the celebration included a surprise video to Freeman, in which 11 Jesuit priests submitted video clips reflecting on Freeman’s impact on Rockhurst High School and the Society of Jesus.

“It’s a great day to give you congratulations and sincere thanks for all you’ve done for Rockhurst over the years, and for the Society of Jesus,” reflected Fr. Ian Gibbons, SJ, in his video. “There’s no one in the building that is more imbued with the mission of Rockhurst. Thank you for the gift you are for Rockhurst, for our Church, for the Society of Jesus, and for the community of Kansas City.”

Rockhurst’s principal, Fr. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, shared a similar belief about Freeman’s dedication to his alma mater.

“You have been a wonderful addition to our school these last many, many years, and you, perhaps above and beyond all else, have kept alive the history and spirit and the mission that we have accomplished here at Rockhurst,” remarked Fr. Giacabazi, SJ. “Thank you so much for all you have been, for all that you are, and for all that you will be.”

The Laurence Wade Freeman “Man For Others” Scholarship was put forward by fellow classmates from the great Class of 1982, Pat McInerney ’82 and Mike Mayer ’82. A match challenge was offered by an anonymous donor and augmented by Susan & Pat Brosnahan ’68, Cheryl Lady & Peter Brown ’76, and Cindy & Peter Dunn ’82, providing a total $50,000 challenge. The $250,000 goal was surpassed by more than $66,000.

“The idea behind the fund was to endow a scholarship in Laurence’s name that really reflected what he’s been to this institution, what he’s been on an individual, person-to-person level for so many people who have come through Rockhurst,” commented McInerney.

Donors Witness Their Giving in Action

Rockhurst hosted its first President’s Showcase on Nov. 8, 2021, inviting benefactors of annual giving of $2,500 or more to campus in the evening. Students led small tour groups throughout the building to classroom stations where students and teachers explained various academic and co-curricular activities that have been supported by donor generosity.

The night began with a student-led Examen and opening prayer, followed by vignette rotations of current student work including service projects, movie-making and broadcasting, astronomy, English composition, and a violin performance by AllState musician Sam Nissen ’22

The final presentation was offered by Nathan Nichols ’22, who titled his talk “Immune Deficiencies and Pumpkin Catapults”, discussing the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and how advances in those areas have made his life possible despite pre-existing medical conditions.

President David Laughlin wrapped up the night with words of appreciation to the benefactors for what their support allows and an invitation to recommit or even increase their gifts.

“We have this wonderful balance of deeply-rooted, faith-based education in our Jesuit, Catholic tradition,” said Laughlin. “It forms young men, and you’ve seen it in action tonight. You’ve seen their teachers in action who are forming faith-filled, critical thinking, collaborative, multi-dimensional, and others-oriented young people.”

A special thanks to all involved in the President’s Showcase:

Atem Akuei ’23, Andrew Claassen ’23, Liam Daly ’25, Tucker Folscroft ’22, Brian Humphrey ’23, Rohan Joseph ’23, Isaac Moser ’22, Andrew Mozena ’25, Luke Newman ’22, Nathan Nichols ’22, Sam Nissen ’22, Lukas Pitman ’23, Maddux Radosevic ’23, Tate Scanlon ’23, Ryan Sherman ’22, Max Smith ’23, Joe Staker ’23, August Thompson ’23, Joseph Torrey ’23, Vincent Tran ’23

President David Laughlin, Fr. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, Mr. Tyler Baker, Dr. Megan Caughron, Mr. Alex Dobens ’08, Dr. Leo Hirner, Ms. Ann Lehane, Mr. Tim Nendick ’08, Mr. Scott Regan ’99, Mr. AJ Taylor ’16

Donors End 2021 on a Strong Note

Rockhurst High School relies on the generosity of its benefactors in order to make the Rockhurst experience possible for nearly half of all families.

The chart to the right highlights total contributions to Rockhurst High School from July through December of 2021.

Total contributions in the same period 2021 over 2020 were up $94,294 (4%), showing modest growth over the first two fiscal year quarters. As part of that growth:

● Annual Fund contributions were up $214,677 (19%); and

● Contributions to Named Investment Funds were up $268,414 (36%).

Total donors contributing was also up at midway through the year (by 237 donors, or 16%), as were the total number of gifts made (up 404, or 21% over FY20 through December 31).

Total gifts to the Spectacular Auction were down as part of a strategic move to focus on annual fund philanthropy in the first half of the school year. Where Giving Tuesday gifts supported financial assistance through the Auction in 2020, in 2021 those gifts supported financial assistance through the Annual Fund, explaining the decreased first semester auction total. As a hint of what was to come, that didn’t stop the success of our annual Spectacular Auction - see Page 45 for “the rest of the story”!

$2,437,231 TOTAL RAISED

+$94,294 (4%) INCREASE