Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Kansas City, Mo. Permit No. 782
1100 Rockhurst Road Kansas City, MO 64110
COMMUNITY update fall 2021
COMMUNITY update
University President the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J.
University President Announces Plans to Step Down 5151 Troost Ave., Suite 100 Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m. - noon Upcoming Workshop: Join the Prosperity Center for a workshop from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the Rockhurst University Community Center (5401 Troost Ave.) for “Understanding Your Credit and Identity Theft,” designed to help attendees monitor and build good credit, as well as with how to protect themselves from identity theft. A to-go boxed lunch will be provided and masks are required. Register by calling 816-501-4239 or emailing prosperitycenter@rockhurst.edu.
In September, Rockhurst University President the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., announced plans to leave following the end of the current academic year on June 30, 2022, after completing his 16th year as president. Fr. Curran arrived at Rockhurst University in 2006 to assume the role of the 14th president. Under his leadership, the University expanded its health sciences programs with the acquisition of Saint Luke’s™ College of Health Sciences; prioritized diversity, equity and inclusion efforts; and re-energized the institution’s focus on social justice and its core values. Under his leadership, the University has seen the construction of Arrupe Hall, the Magis Activity Center and the current renovation of historic Sedgwick Hall. Fr. Curran also led a number of social justice initiatives, including the establishment of the Prosperity Center for
Financial Opportunity and the Chillicothe Companions program. “We are extremely grateful for Fr. Curran’s visionary leadership and all that he has accomplished over the past 15 years,” said Thomas Hastings, M.D., ’81, chair of the Rockhurst University Board of Trustees. “Rockhurst today is a much stronger university than when Fr. Curran arrived and is in a good position to attract and welcome his successor.” Fr. Curran plans to take a sabbatical following his tenure to prepare for his next assignment. Details will be shared when those plans are finalized. The Board of Trustees has retained AGB Search, a professional firm with proven expertise in higher education, to conduct the search with the goal of announcing the 15th president of Rockhurst University in the first part of 2022 for a July 1 start date.