Rockhurst Gets the Gold

As you probably know the Rockhurst Helzberg School of Management has been working towards achieving the Association to Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Accreditation for a number of years. This Accreditation is a coveted distinction among universities and less than 10 percent of business schools in the world have earned the accreditation.

January marked the final hurtle of the long process to earn the distinction. It involved a “peer review”. The peer review team filed its report in April. The result was a unanimous recommendation that we receive the AACSB Accreditation. In discussing this success, James Daley, Ph.D., Dean of the Helzberg School told the reporters for the Rock Report that “this says that the Helzberg School has demonstrated to the premier international accrediting body for business schools that its programs and faculty are the highest caliber.” This accreditation will benefit Rockhurst graduates and the employers that hire them.

We are proud to have earned the Gold. Congratulations and thanks go out in recognition of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by the faculty and staff that were involved in making this dream become a reality.

11th Annual Rockhurst University Gala


Join us this fall as Rockhurst University Rocks the City and presents its 11th Annual Gala on Saturday, October 28, 2006! This is an annual black-tie event that raises funds for scholarships and student services. This year’s Gala will cap a weekend of inauguration festivities recognizing the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, O.S.F.S. as the University’s 14th president.

Your support of Rockhurst’s Gala is vital to the University’s continued success:

Since nearly 85 percent of our students depend on financial assistance and scholarships, your support provides a Rockhurst education for hundreds of deserving students in need.
Gala proceeds assist more than 50 students each year in devoting their spring breaks to international service projects in Belize, Guatemala, Mexico and El Salvador.
Your sponsorship reinforces our Jesuit mission of educating the whole student – mind, body and spirit – by enhancing student services and campus beautification projects.

As Rockhurst Executive Fellows Alumni, we invite you to join us at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown Muehlebach Tower for an elegant evening of dining and dancing to celebrate the students, programs and community partners of Rockhurst University.

The Executive Fellows Alumni Association has set a goal to fill up 5 tables at the Gala. That is only 25 couples. I have begun to coordinate with fellow alumni from my graduating class (2004) to fill at least one table, and I am sure if you contact your fellow alumni we can fill up many more and have a great time. This will be a fun night out with special friends and the proceeds will go to a great cause. Contact me (Dan LoIacono) at dcl@abmi.net to reserve your seat at one of our Executive Fellows tables or contact the Alumni Office at (816) 501-4807. Tickets are only $200 per person.

Additional ways to contribute as a Benefactor are available if you have an interest. Benefactors will receive recognition in the Gala program and invitations to the Benefactor Party. The following information details giving levels and benefits.

Benefactor Giving Levels



¨ Metropolitan Benefactor $25,000 Special Recognition; Table of 10
Twelve Benefactor Party Invitations

¨ Skyline Benefactor $10,000 Table of 10 at Rockhurst Gala
Ten Benefactor Party Invitations

¨ Cityscape Benefactor $ 5,000 Table of 10 at Rockhurst Gala
Six Benefactor Party Invitations

¨ Skyscraper Benefactor $ 3,000 Table of 10 at Rockhurst Gala
Four Benefactor Party Invitations

¨ Cornerstone Benefactor $ 2,000 Table of 10 at Rockhurst Gala
Two Benefactor Party Invitations

¨ Foundation Benefactor $ 1,000 Two Tickets to Rockhurst Gala
Two Benefactor Party Invitations


Rockhurst University is proud of its tradition as an independent, Jesuit institution of higher learning, located in the educational and cultural heart of Kansas City. With your support, Rockhurst will continue to meet the challenges of the future by developing today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders.

Congratulations to the Class of 2006!
We would like to extend our congratulations to the newest members of the Executive Fellows Alumni- the 2006 graduates! Congratulations to everyone. This is sure to be an enjoyable, relaxing summer for you that is well deserved.

The 2006 graduating class includes: Bill Bezek, Carla Boren, Janet Broll, Kent Cantrell, Robert Contaldi, David Corwin, Gretchen Deaton, Kurt Dellos, Jeff Gaidos, Matt Heinrich, Nancy Keil-Culbertson, Padraic McFreen, Kevin McIntosh, Spencer Parsons, Virginia Picotte, Chris Pierson, Rhonda Self, Phil Stump, Cory Sullivan, and Mark Zieman.

As President of the EF Alumni Association I had the privilege to be a part of the Pinning Ceremony held on May 5th at Rockhurst. The energy in the room was amazing and I was honored to have the chance to share this moment with the class of 2006. I arrived early for the Pinning Ceremony and sat in on the last few Credo Presentations. Wow! What a powerful experience. The passion and camaraderie in the room reminded me how meaningful, and in many cases life changing the 2 year program is. I was given the chance to hear some very touching Credos from some wonderful people- the graduating Executive Fellows. I truly appreciate being able to share that experience with the class- thank you.

As I drove home after the ceremony I reflected on my experience in the program. I remembered how significant the relationships I built with my classmates were. I remembered the tears we shed together in support of one another. I remembered the trust we built. I remembered the love. The Executive Fellows MBA program, the knowledge gained, the friendships made, the ability to explore new ground in a safe, supportive environment was huge for me. I would venture to say that chances are it was huge for many of us reading this today.

I wonder what it is that causes me to get caught up in my daily life so much that I allow myself to loose touch with something so meaningful. I was given a small wake up call that I will embrace.

Congratulations Class of 2006. You are no longer MBA students. You are Executive Fellows Alumni. Welcome.