Rockhurst Celebrates Alumni Reunion

SCHOLARSHIPS HONOR LOVED ONES THROUGH FAMILY GENEROSITY

MIKE DARBY ’73 FINANCIAL AID FUND

“Of all the accolades that have been attributed to my brother Mike, a ‘man for others’ is at the top of that long list. By fully funding the Mike Darby ’73 Financial Aid Fund we have ensured that, because of Mike, a young man who would otherwise not have been able to attend Mike’s beloved Rockhurst will now be able to experience a Rockhurst education, just as Mike did.”

-Bob Darby

“When we tragically lost Mike back in 2017 our family was devastated. It was a senseless loss of life and we struggled with the best way to honor his legacy. We have been fortunate to partner with Rockhurst to find an outlet for that grief and turn it into something positive. We are able to find some solace in contributing to this wonderful institution with a gift that will allow for future generations to allow for a student to attend The Rock and hopefully live out the principles that Mike exhibited. Thank you to all that have contributed both their time and finances.”

-Brett Darby ’94

RICHARD CONNOR ’48 LEAVES ESTATE GIFT; CHILDREN ESTABLISH SCHOLARSHIP

“Our dad was Jesuit-educated from start to finish: St. Francis Grade School, Rockhurst High School, and Spring Hill College. Much of his success derived from his Jesuit formation. Frs. Fred (Regis College) and Jack (SLU) Daly, SJ, and Luke Byrne, SJ, were relatives and close friends of the family and left a lasting impression on mom and dad. For other young men to be formed in the Ignatian way, particularly those of less means, through mom and dad’s gift would be gratifying to them both.”

-The Connor Children

Keith ’76, Rev. Brian ’78, Kevin ’81, Brennan ’83, Malachy ’86, and Mary Kate (Rubin)

To make a gift to an existing fund or inquire about establishing a Named Investment or Named Intent Fund, please contact Dr. Diane Marty, Vice President of Philanthropy & Engagement, at 816.363.2036 x538 or dmarty@rockhursths.edu.

JAMES M. KUKLENSKI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

“Rockhurst High School provided care and attention to our family during a critical time in our lives. The support of the administration, faculty, and overall community was genuine and palpable, and should be shared by many. With this scholarship, our hope is that this incredible outreach can be expanded to any and all young men wishing to attend Rockhurst.”

-Mary Kuklenski

“Rockhurst became a second home for me from the moment I started, and my dad played a large part in that. Many memories were shared with him based around the Rockhurst community. The hardworking and enthusiastic atmosphere that the staff creates represents Jim perfectly. He always preached ‘leading by example’, and having a scholarship in his name epitomizes what it means to be a ‘man for others’.”

-Michael Kuklenski ’20

Bill Darby ’71 and Bob Darby add the Mike Darby Financial Aid Fund tile to the board of fully-funded scholarships at Rockhurst High School. Dick Connor ’48 left a generous estate gift to Rockhurst High School, enabling young men to receive the Jesuit education he and his five sons experienced. Michael Kuklenski ’20 adds the James M. Kuklenski Memorial Scholarship tile to the board of fully-funded scholarships at Rockhurst High School. Contributions, pledges, and legacy commitments are gratefully accepted to continue growing each fund. With any questions, please contact Dr. Diane Marty, Vice President of Philanthropy & Engagement, at 816.363.2036 x538 or dmarty@rockhursths.edu.

Each of these funds has a minimum cash value of $225,000 as of June 30, 2022. Based on the current spending policy, a fund with a three-year rolling value of $225,000 provides scholarship distributions of approximately $11,250, or 70% of the current-year tuition ($15,975).

Br. Lawrence W. Eilert, S.J. Scholarship Brian M. Anselmo Memorial Scholarship Fund Brian P. Euston Memorial Endowment Fund Brown Family Scholarship Fund Class of 1978 Endowment Fund Dehaemers Family Endowment Fund Donald P. Clarkson Memorial Scholarship Fund Jed & Sharon Ervin Scholarship Fund Forster-Powers Scholarship Fund General Endowment Fund Goppert Endowment Fund Hurtado Scholars Tuition Assistance Fund Jack S. Accurso Memorial Scholarship Fund James M. Kuklenski Memorial Scholarship James T. Glynn Family Scholarship Fund Jim Kennedy Memorial Scholarship Joseph Patrick McCormick Memorial Scholarship Fund Joseph S. Geisel, III Memorial Scholarship Fund Joseph Sr. and Maureen Gravino Memorial Endowment Fund Kahn Family Scholarship Fund Laurence Wade Freeman Man for Others Fund Louis R. Trigg Scholarship Fund M. Kelley Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund Mabel Batchel Scholarship Fund Matthew McCullough Scholarship McDonnell Family Scholarship McGurren Family Endowment Fund Philip and Mary Gravino Scholarship Fund Robert J. and Joan E. Metzler Scholarship Fund Stephen Neenan Memorial Scholarship Fund St. Peter Claver Jesuit Community Scholarship The Brannan Scholarship Rev. William T. Sheahan, S.J. Scholarship Thomas M. Murphy Faculty Development Fund Thompson Family Scholarship Fund Van Dyke Family Endowment Fund Drs. William and Louise Barry Endowment Fund

Each of the funds that follow have a cash value between $50,000 and $224,999 as of June 30, 2022.

Albert and Mary Kleinman Memorial Scholarship Fund Alexander Family Fund Alfred and Anita Valenzula Memorial Scholarship Fund Andrew A. Klughartt Memorial Scholarship Fund Bickimer/Franck Memorial Scholarship Bourk Family Endowment Fund Brenneman Family Endowment Fund Brosnahan Family Endowment Fund Bryan A. Gromowsky Memorial Scholarship Fund Cavanaugh Family Scholarship Fund Charles and Mary Regan Endowment Fund, Honoring Rev. Robert L. Poirier, S.J. Charles G. Haake, Jr. Scholarship Fund Class of 1962 Financial Aid Fund Class of 1968 Endowment Fund Class of 1970 Scholarship Fund Dominic L. Passantino Memorial Scholarship Fund Don and Evelyn Foley Fund Edward J. Reardon Memorial Scholarship Fund Emmett and Barry Scanlan Scholarship Find A Way Scholarship Fund Honoring Tony and Marilyn Severino Gabriel M. and Michael A. Rieke Memorial Endowment Garcia Immigration Law Firm Fund Gary C. Batz Memorial Fund Gene and Peggy Freeman Scholarship Fund George B. Byrnes Scholarship George P. Reintjes Memorial Scholarship Greg A. Wilkerson Memorial Scholarship Hager Family Scholarship Fund Hawley Family Endowment Fund Henry J. Massman, III Scholarship Fund Howard M. Mayer Memorial Scholarship Fund Ismert Family Endowment Fund Jack and Martha Spence Endowment Fund James F. Haake Memorial Endowment Fund James H. Hess Memorial Endowment Fund Janice and William E. Clarkson, Sr. Memorial Endowment Fund John E. Grier Memorial Endowment Fund Kairos Retreat Fund L. Alton Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund Laurie and George McLiney Family Scholarship Fund Lawrence D. Love Memorial Scholarship Fund Leiker Scholarship Fund Louis B. McGee Memorial Scholarship Fund Manuel A. Deleon Memorial Scholarship Marcia and Brien Boggess Scholarship Fund Margaret and Frank McGee Memorial Scholarship Fund Marie and Henry Zahner Memorial Scholarship Fund Matthew W. Bloskey Memorial Scholarship Fund McAnany Family Scholarship Fund McDonnell Family Scholarship Fund (2) McKibbin Family Scholarship Fund McLaughlin Family Endowment Fund McMahon Family Scholarship McNamara Family Scholarship Meiners-Hodes Family Scholarship Fund Michael Mangan Scholarship Fund Mike Darby Financial Aid Fund Miller Family Scholarship Fund Nicholas S. Callegari Endowment Fund Paul G. Damon Memorial Scholarship Fund Phillips Family Scholarship Fund Pierce M. Lawless Memorial Scholarship Fund Raymond and Helen Sonnenberg Family Scholarship Rev. Charles E. Sullivan, S.J. Scholarship Endowment Rev. Mario T. Puricelli, S.J. Scholarship Fund Rev. Terrence A. Baum, S.J. Endowment Fund Rev. Thomas A. Pesci, S.J. Campus Beautification Fund Rev. Thomas A. Pesci, S.J. Ignatian Scholarship Fund Richard and Bernadette Miller Scholarship Fund Roche Family Scholarship Fund Sam Saviano Memorial Scholarship Fund Sean S. Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship Fund Shea Family Scholarship St. Francis Xavier Memorial Scholarship Teahan Family Endowment Fund The Jim and Kathy Polsinelli Hurtado Scholars Program Fund The Murphy Brothers Endowment Fund Thomas R. McGee, Sr. Leadership Incentive Award Tommy Simone Memorial Scholarship Fund Vines/McCarthy Endowment Fund Wholey Family Endowment Fund William E. Franke Memorial Scholarship Fund

Named Investment Funds (cont.)

Each of the funds that follow have a cash value of up to $49,999 as of June 30, 2022.

Andrew S. Hagedorn Scholarship Fund Arrupe Jesuit Community Scholarship Fund Beach H. Tuckness Memorial Endowment Fund Bernard J. Glynn Scholarship Bernie and Sue Dierks Memorial Scholarship Fund Bessenbacher Family Endowment Fund Bill Rocker Fund Bowen Family Memorial Scholarship Fund Bryan Funk Memorial Scholarship Christine Metzler Elmore Memorial Scholarship Fund Christopher Camarena Memorial Scholarship Fund Class of 1956 Endowment Fund Cosentino Family Scholarship Fund Daniel W. Campbell Memorial Trust Donnelly Family Scholarship Fund Ed and Vi Stein and Children’s Endowment Fund Elizabeth and John Travelent Endowment Fund Evans Family Endowment Fund Frederick W. Hess, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund Gabriel T. Van Boven Endowment Fund Gene and Mary Lib McGannon Scholarship Fund Hal J. Reno Memorial Scholarship Fund Harrison Thomas Rupp Memorial Endowment Fund Holland Family Memorial Scholarship J. Bernard Finucane Memorial Endowment Fund Jake Marsh Disabilities Fund James M. Gorman Memorial Endowment Fund John and Sandra Hess Faculty and Staff Development Fund John and Sandra Hess Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund John J. Gramlich Memorial Endowment Fund John J. Kopp Memorial Scholarship John J. Reichmeier Memorial Endowment Fund John M. Lillis Memorial Endowment Fund John Wilkerson Memorial Scholarship Fund Kathie Pazell Memorial Fund Larry E. Ruby Family Endowment Fund Leonard G. Seck Scholarship Fund Lou B. Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund Luke Bresette Memorial Endowment Fund Mary Liston Family Memorial Matthew C. McGilley Memorial Endowment Fund Michael Patrick Sullivan Fund Peakes Family Endowment Fund Rev. Luke J. Byrne, S.J. ‘52 Memorial Scholarship Fund Rev. Ron Windmeuller, S.J. Memorial Fund Rev. Thomas W. Cummings, S.J. Scholarship Fund Rev. William Steiner, S.J. Scholarship Reichard F. Bennett Scholarship Fund Robert M. Ryan Endowment Fund Robert W. and Helen C. Jantsch Scholarship Fund Ronald J. Capaccia Memorial Trust Fund Samuel L. Woodell Memorial Scholarship Fund Stephen M. McGannon Memorial Scholarship Fund Steven J. Adams Memorial Fund T. Michael and Janet Lillis Memorial Scholarship Fund Thomas E. Murphy, III Endowment Fund Tyler Bradley Hansen Memorial Scholarship Weiford Family Scholarship Fund William J. McGraw Memorial Scholarship Fund

New Funds Since June 30, 2022

Judie Scanlon Memorial Scholarship Fund Rev. Thomas A. Pesci, S.J. Ignatian Scholarship Fund The Richard B. and Kathleen S. Connor Scholarship

JOIN US FOR THE SPECTACULAR AUCTION ON APRIL 15, 2023

Mark your calendar for April 15, 2023 for Rockhurst High School’s Spectacular Auction!

This annual night of fun is Rockhurst’s largest fundraiser in support of the school’s $2.7 million financial assistance goal for families. You will be able to participate in Spectacular 2023 in a variety of ways: attending the event, purchasing a car raffle share, participating in Rock The Masters in March, and more.

Dr. and Mrs. Patrick Lillis and Shannon Lillis will return as our legacy co-chair couple, joined by Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence and Amanda Tynes, Mr. and Mrs. Mike and Christy Poe, and Mr. and Mrs. Kyle (’91) and Natalie Hartman.

Stay up-to-date on all things Spectacular at www.rockhursths. edu/auction.

Alumni Accomplishments

Gregory Joseph ’64 won the best character acting award at the Hollywood Shockfest Film Festival, starred in an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner, and had the lead in a best ensemble acting award winner of the New York First-Run Film Festival. He was also nominated as best lead actor at the Show Low International Film Festival, and starred in a film that won best of fest honors at the Southern Arizona Independent Film Festival.

Bob Ring ’81 opened Rosati’s Pizza in August 2022 in Overland Park, KS. Rosati’s specializes in authentic Chicago pizza and has locations in 13 states throughout the country.

Jim Russell ’81 is the host of a familyfriendly G-rated reality TV show, Container Masters, streaming free on Tubi and Roku. In the show, repurposed shipping containers are turned into beautiful homes and unique building projects. Buyers bring their shipping container dreams to life.

Laurence Freeman ’82 joined the Philanthropy and Corporate Outreach team with the University of Kansas Health System as the Development Director, Grateful Patients. Previously, Freeman served in the then-Advancement Office (now Philanthropy & Engagement) at Rockhurst High School from 1994 through 2021.

Pat McInerney ’82 was included on the Missouri Lawyers Media’s POWER list for White-Collar Defense. It is the third consecutive year McInerney made the top attorney list. He has been a partner with Spencer Fane since 2016, previously working with Husch Blackwell (when the firm was known by another name), as well as Dentons’ Kansas City Office.

Mike Rader ’90 was named to Ingram’s Magazine’s list of “50 Missourians You Should Know”. Rader is a partner at Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader. He also serves on the Missouri governing board for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and volunteers with Missouri Special Olympics.

Joe Mabin ’93 was named interim Chief of the Kansas City Police Department in April. He earned the rank of sergeant in 2007, captain in 2016, major in 2020, and deputy chief in 2021.

Tony DeFeo ’94 joined Arizona State University as an associate director for football administration, tasked with executive leadership of the football organization. Previously, DeFeo held operations positions with the University of Michigan and the San Francisco 49ers. He also co-founded and led multiple companies in the social media/tech vertical. Marcus Kain ’96 finished his Master’s in Elementary Education with a secondary endorsement in Business in May 2022. He is now teaching entrepreneurship and personal finance at Blue Valley Southwest High School while also coaching boys’ soccer. Previously, Kain was in the wealth management industry.

Paul Orscheln ’97 was promoted to principal at ATLAS Capital Partners, a multi-disciplined real estate development and investment firm in Phoenix, AZ. Prior to ATLAS, Orscheln was senior advisor and then vice president at Cresa in Phoenix.

Mark Blanck, Jr. ’98 accepted a new position in spring 2022 as Vice President of Advancement at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, KS.

Michael Judy ’99 was selected by Dysart Taylor Cotter McMonigle Brumitt PC as its new managing director. Judy is a 16year veteran civil litigator who specializes in defending the transportation, aviation, and insurance agencies. He’s been with Dysart Taylor for 17 years in two stints, taking a one-year break in 2015 to work as counsel for what is now Yellow Corp.

Sean Heiman ’03 has completed the process to become a licensed architect. Heiman is an associate vice president of Hoefer Welker in Kansas City, focusing on the healthcare and higher education sectors, working with public and private clients.

Joe LaScala ’03 accepted the role of campus minister at the Catholic Newman Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Stephen Hoefer ’04 was hired by Kansas Citybased The Cooperative Finance Association as its chief financial officer. The company has provided reliable financial products and services to the agricultural industry since 1943. Previously, Hoefer spent five-plus years at Platform Ventures as its fund controller.

Trey Thomas ’04 completed the Certified Advisor of Personal Insurance (CAPI) program through The Wharton School. He is a personal risk advisor at AssuredPartners in Kansas City, and is one of only four people at AssuredPartners who holds the CAPI designation.

Jason Crain ’05 was promoted to president of Slutty Vegan, an Atlanta-based vegan burger joint. Crain served as the company’s chief revenue officer since 2020 and led the $25 million Series A fundraising round that resulted in the company’s $100 million valuation announced in May 2022. Brian McGannon ’05 was hired as the communications manager at Worlds of Fun. He is leading the Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun’s communications and PR initiatives for their 50th anniversary season and beyond.

Michael Wirtz ’05 was promoted to controller at VanTrust Real Estate, a fullservice real estate development company in Kansas City. He served as assistant controller from March 2013 until July 2022.

Tommy Mancuso ’10, president and founder of the BAD Investment Company, was invited on Bloomberg ETF IQ, which focuses on the opportunities, risks, and current trends tied to the trillions of dollars in the global exchange traded funds industry.

Martin Radosevic, Jr. ’16 accepted the position of director of sports information at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Radosevic was added to the Wesleyan Athletic Department in the fall of 2020 after two years at Baker University, where he played baseball as an infielder. Prior to Baker, Radosevic was a sports information student assistant at St. Thomas University from 2016-2018.

David Sandvig, III ’16 joined the Manning Horn Team of Berkshire Hathaway in Overland Park, KS. In 2021, the team sold over $40 million worth of real estate. Sandvig also offers real estate, real estate marketing, relocation, social media marketing, and negotiation services via LinkedIn.

George Marty ’18 is currently employed with the New York Giants in their Partnerships & Activation department.

Matthew Roxas ’18 hosted the final recital of his local concert tour, Love, Fantasy, & Fire at Rockhurst on May 7. Roxas is currently at the University of South Florida pursuing a Master of Music in Piano Performance; he received an accompanying assistantship which provides full tuition and a stipend as he pursues his graduate degree.

Henry Accardo ’20 is the co-founder of Kogo’s Kandies, a candy store located in the heart of the Student Center at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Accardo is also the founder of Crossroads Cars, which he started at the age of 16 and has grown to become the largest car show in Kansas City.