What if the best measure of a school isn’t just where graduates go, but who they become? We sit down with President David Laughlin to unpack how Rockhurst High School forms young men who work hard, love well, and aim their gifts toward something bigger than themselves. Across four decades in Catholic education, David maps the Jesuit DNA that powers our culture: prayer that frames the day, retreats that reset priorities, service that tempers ambition, and a rigorous college prep program that treats study habits as spiritual habits.

You’ll hear how excellence at Rockhurst avoids the comparison game. We talk about confident humility—reaching for high standards not to outdo others, but to honor the Giver of the gift. From STEM labs and speech team to choir and athletics, faculty set clear expectations and coach students into them. The rumor that “it’s a lot of work” becomes a rhythm when you look left and right and see everyone leaning in. That shared effort builds joy and resilience, making early mornings, office hours, and rehearsals feel like a path, not a punishment.

We also travel with David through alumni stories that stretch from Kansas City to San Diego, New Orleans, and Houston. The thread is striking: graduates stay connected, lead with purpose, and carry Rockhurst habits into families, careers, and communities. As the metro’s only all-boys Jesuit high school, Rockhurst holds a distinctive place—shaped by history, energized by parents and Jesuits, and committed to forming men for others. If you’re weighing where your son can be known, challenged, and guided, this conversation offers a clear window into a school where faith, scholarship, brotherhood, and service come to life.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help more families discover Rockhurst.

A school’s true test isn’t just grades or trophies—it’s whether the people it forms keep coming back to lift the next class. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with executive leader and alum parent, Diane Marty, who shares how Rockhurst strengthens access, care, and real-world learning while holding tight to its Jesuit mission. From meeting 100% of verified financial need to rebuilding a counseling model for today’s challenges, we walk through a strategic plan designed to support, surround, connect, and engage every student.

You’ll hear the human side: alumni across the country who say Rockhurst changed—or even saved—their lives; a young grad pledging five years of giving because a few teachers wouldn’t let him settle; and the power of brotherhood that endures well into careers and cities far from campus. We dig into practical steps that make mission visible—transportation solutions for families, faculty retention so the best teachers stay in the building, and a gold-standard playbook for athletics and activities that reflects our values on every field and stage.

We also unpack the future-facing work: AI literacy supported by alumni-funded professional development, internships that count for credit and pay, and networks like Rock Connect that turn a handshake into a summer job. Diane’s personal “5809” moment in the robotics lab—an unexpected sign that she was home—captures what keeps people tied to this place: formation that lasts, community that shows up, and a culture that adapts without losing its soul.

If you care about education that shapes character and competence, or you’re ready to mentor, hire, or simply reconnect, this is your invitation. Subscribe, share with a fellow Hawk, and leave a review telling us the one moment that shaped you—and how you’ll pay it forward.

A small choice can define a lifetime: Jim Kopp and John Oades, two friends from the Class of ’67 sit down with us to share how Rockhurst formed their faith, sharpened their character, and gave them a brotherhood that still shows up—at service sites, retreats, tailgates, and alumni events. They talk about arriving as kids, becoming men for others, and why they now guide freshmen through Days for Others with the same joy their mentors once showed them.

We dig into access and inclusion with fresh honesty. Transportation remains a real barrier for some families, and simple solutions—carpools, neighbor networks,—can unlock a student’s path. From there, the conversation widens: participation matters, because small gifts and volunteer hours help secure corporate and foundation matches. We unpack how alumni presence transforms culture in the building. When students see seasoned grads grabbing shovels and leading by example, service becomes normal, not performative.

Career opportunity comes to life through Rock Connect, the Jesuit alumni network, and a growing speaker series that turns goodwill into internships, mentorship, and practical skills. First‑generation college students get tailored guidance on networking, internships, and campus engagement, with alumni stepping in as guides who translate experience into clear next steps. We also float a powerful idea: retired alums running hands‑on seminars that teach the real-world lessons you rarely get from a textbook.

At the heart of it all is a simple claim: academics open doors, but community keeps them open. Faith animates the bonds, and the bonds make the school more than a place—it’s a network you can lean on in any city, at any age. If you’ve drifted, start small. Read the alumni newsletter, show up for spaghetti dinner, say hello at a game, or lend an hour at a service site. Then decide how you want to give: time, talent, or treasure. If this conversation moved you, follow the show, share it with a classmate, and leave a review—then tell us how you’ll reconnect this year.

What if a few hours of your time could unlock a scholarship, spark a student’s purpose, and strengthen a community for years? We invited two Parents Club leaders, Lyndy Volker and Julie Walker Browne, to share how Rockhurst’s culture of service comes alive through everyday actions—greeting at the hospitality desk, baking for faculty, making auction calls, and pitching in on setup or cleanup. Their stories reveal a powerful truth: when parents show up, boys notice. They learn generosity by watching it, then practice it through dress-down fundraisers, service trips, and other giving opportunities in the community.

We dig into the Spectacular auction and why it matters: it helps fuel Rockhurst’s ability to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need. That commitment turns small volunteer jobs into big outcomes, keeping doors open for families across Kansas City and ensuring talented students can thrive. You’ll hear practical ways to get involved right now—short shifts, evening slots, and behind-the-scenes roles that fit real life. We also highlight opportunities to share professional skills through the career speaker series, marketing projects, and targeted support for counseling, activities, and athletics.

This conversation is ultimately about growth and belonging. Parents describe the pride of watching their sons carry the school’s values into college and beyond, and the comfort of a network that lasts long after graduation. If you’ve wondered whether your time, talent, or treasure would truly matter at Rockhurst, consider this your invitation. Subscribe for more stories from our Jesuit community, share this episode with a fellow parent, and leave a review to help others find Rock Talk. Your next yes could change a student’s path.

Doors open wider when a community decides they should—and that belief is on full display at Rockhurst. We sit down with Director of Engagement Moira Healy and Director of Community Engagement (and alumnus) Martin Radosevic Jr. to explore how parents, students, alumni, and staff turn Jesuit ideals into everyday action. From team Masses and days of reflection to mother–son brunches and the father–son bags tournament, we trace the moments that make a big school feel small, personal, and grounded in purpose.

Martin shares how his new role supports coaches and moderators with mission-based programming so every team and club experiences more than competition. He spotlights a student-led win: the golf team, driven by senior Connor Vickers, raised over $17,000 for Pete’s Garden by turning their skills into local impact. Moira opens the curtain on the Parents Club and the Spectacular Auction, showing why parent involvement is more than logistics—it’s the model students copy during Mission Week, service days, and holiday food drives. We also talk access: Rockhurst meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, and the Hurtado Scholars program pairs scholarships with years of academic prep and community, lifting boys into rigorous high school work and beyond. One powerful example: a graduate now thriving at Georgetown through the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship.

Along the way, we share practical ways to plug in—from Hispanic Heritage Month activities that fund matched scholarships, to alumni events and Rock Giving Day on November 11. If you’ve wondered whether a faith-centered, college prep education can also feel like a home you return to for decades, listen to the stories of parents who still volunteer years after graduation and alumni who reconnect like no time has passed. That’s the Rockhurst difference: formation through relationships, service, and a community that keeps showing up.

If this resonates, follow the show, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review so more families can find their path to Life at the Rock.

A humming activity period sets the scene as we sit down with three alumni who chose to come back to Rockhurst High School and teach theology. What unfolds is a grounded, energizing look at how faith formation actually works in a Jesuit college prep: mentors who shaped their vocation, a curriculum that moves from Scripture to social justice and vocation, and a community that treats retreats, service, athletics, arts, and even BBQ metaphors as real places to find God in all things.

We unpack why formation is more than memorizing answers—it’s learning to ask better questions and training the mind and heart to hold them with patience, charity, and intellectual honesty. We welcome Mr. Jon Feder '10, Mr. Ryan McAnany '12 and Mr. Luke McLellan '00 who explain “identity before action,” the idea that you can’t know what to do until you know who you are, and how cruciform love anchors Rockhurst’s signature values of brotherhood, leadership, and service. They walk through the four-year sequence: freshman Scripture, sophomore tradition and sacraments, junior philosophy and ethics with tracks in world religions or faith-and-reason apologetics, and a senior year focused on social justice and vocation. Along the way, we talk about collaboration between theology, campus ministry, retreats, and service—and how the school evolves its methods without losing its mission.

There’s heart here too: stories about teachers who kept relationships alive long after graduation, a duct-taped cell phone, Kairos road trips, and the Z-Man sandwich that somehow sparks real ethics debates. Whether you’re Catholic, another faith, or simply curious about how a Jesuit education forms young people to think deeply and love well, this conversation shows how Rockhurst turns big questions into a way of life.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who cares about education and character, and leave a quick review with your biggest question about faith and formation. We read them all and might feature yours next time.

Ever wonder what makes a Jesuit education different? Rich Sullivan, who has devoted 27 years to Rockhurst High School as a teacher, coach, and now Director of Ignatian Identity, reveals the heart of what makes "The Rock" unique.

"Our goal isn't just to get these kids into Harvard. Our goal is to get these kids into heaven," Sullivan shares, quoting former president Father Baum. This powerful philosophy guides everything at Rockhurst, where forming "men for others" takes precedence over any single achievement.

The conversation explores how Rockhurst cultivates faith formation for both students and adults through retreats, spiritual exercises, and community building. Sullivan describes monthly faculty meetings, silent retreats, pilgrimages, and workshops that help teachers understand and embody Jesuit values before passing them on. "We do so many Jesuit things that we're not consciously aware of," he explains, highlighting how his role helps uncover these distinctive practices.

Perhaps most moving is Sullivan's reflection on the Rockhurst community itself – the dedicated mentors who shaped his own understanding of Jesuit education through their example. This spirit extends to athletics, where coaches teach students that "you're loved whether you win or lose," embodying Ignatius's teachings on detachment and finding God in all things.

For parents considering Rockhurst, Sullivan offers this perspective: "There are a lot of seeds planted here. Some grow quickly, some take time to germinate, but I can guarantee your son will be exposed to the questions that will give him meaning in life."

Join us for this insightful conversation about faith formation at Rockhurst and discover why, after nearly three decades, Rich Sullivan remains passionate about the transformative power of Jesuit education.

Alan Ratermann's journey from Alumni Service Corps volunteer to Director of Ignatian Service at Rockhurst High School embodies the school's mission of forming men for others. In this revealing conversation, Alan takes us behind the scenes of a comprehensive service program that transforms young men through meaningful encounters with community needs.

At Rockhurst, service isn't a checkbox requirement but a foundational experience woven throughout all four years. Freshmen participate in quarterly service days working alongside faculty, sophomores and juniors engage with nonprofits of their choosing, and seniors culminate with a three-week immersive service project. Alan shares how these experiences deliberately interrupt students' self-focus, inviting them to recognize Christ in others and respond with compassion.

The conversation explores distinctive aspects of Rockhurst's service immersion trips where students surrender their phones, live simply in community, and discover joy in human connection. Perhaps most moving is Alan's description of the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society, where students serve as pallbearers for those who pass away without family – a profound ministry honoring human dignity even in death.

What emerges is a portrait of service as transformative education. When students stand before classmates reflecting on their experiences, something remarkable happens. They articulate not just what they gave, but how profoundly they were changed. With Rockhurst students donating over 40,000 service hours annually, the impact extends far beyond graduation, creating lifelong connections to community organizations and embedding service into their identities.

Ready to see how service can transform your son's education? Visit rockhursths.edu to learn more about our Jesuit approach to forming men of competence, conscience, and compassion.

What does it take to transform awkward freshmen into confident, faith-filled leaders? At Rockhurst High School, the journey begins with the Freshman Retreat—but this experience impacts far more than just the new students.

Senior co-chairs Joe Pitzl and Andrew Hayes reveal how their own freshman retreat experiences inspired them to lead the program years later. "Some of the people I met in my small group are people I still talk with daily," shares Joe, highlighting the lasting bonds formed during this pivotal experience. This year's theme, "Anchored in Rock," emphasizes finding stability in faith while discovering your unique place within the Rockhurst community.

Matt Nickson, Director of Pastoral Ministry, explains how this retreat represents just the beginning of a thoughtfully designed four-year formation journey. The freshman year focuses on community, sophomore year on personal reflection, junior year introduces the transformative Kairos retreat, and senior year offers specialized experiences including leadership formation. What makes this approach uniquely Ignatian is how seamlessly faith integrates throughout every aspect of school life—not compartmentalized, but woven into academics, athletics, and activities.

Perhaps most remarkable is how this model creates natural opportunities for student leadership. With approximately 150 upperclassmen serving as retreat leaders, the program simultaneously forms freshmen while developing leadership skills in juniors and seniors. As Nickson reflects on witnessing this transformation both as a faculty member and as a parent of two Rockhurst students: "The ways they have already matured and taken accountability in their own lives... I feel as though Rockhurst High School is 100% in line with that desire that there is goodness happening here."

In a world hungry for good men of character and faith, Rockhurst's comprehensive formation process creates an environment where young men discover their gifts and learn to use them in service to others. Listen now to understand how this powerful approach to student formation shapes not just four years of high school, but a lifetime of purpose.

What makes a truly good leader in today's world? Is it enough to be powerful, or must power be guided by something greater? In this profound conversation with Father Stephen Kramer, Rockhurst High School's new principal, we explore the heart of Jesuit education and its focus on forming "men for others."

Father Kramer brings a unique perspective shaped by his experiences teaching at multiple Jesuit institutions across the country—from St. Louis to Denver, New Orleans, and even Kenya. His journey of 20 years as a Jesuit reveals the consistent spirit animating Jesuit schools despite their differences: a dedication to recognizing each person's inherent dignity as God's beloved child.

The conversation delves into St. Ignatius's personal transformation from a glory-seeking soldier to a man who discovered his true identity and purpose. Through this lens, Father Kramer articulates how Rockhurst helps young men understand who they truly are beyond achievements, appearances, or abilities. "You are already God's beloved child," he emphasizes, regardless of performance or circumstance—a realization that liberates students from seeking validation through external measures.

Perhaps most compelling is Father Kramer's distinction between creating merely powerful men versus good powerful men. While Jesuit schools excel at developing students with persuasive skills and critical thinking, their true mission is ensuring this power serves others. "There's nothing worse than a powerful bad person," he notes, highlighting the school's responsibility to form ethical leaders.

Through practices like the daily Examen prayer and personal birthday blessings, Father Kramer demonstrates his commitment to helping students recognize God's presence in their everyday experiences. His ultimate goal? Forming young men who find meaning that makes life's difficulties worthwhile—men who, when they look in the mirror years later, respect the person they've become.

Listen now to discover how Rockhurst's approach to brotherhood and spiritual formation creates graduates prepared not just for success, but for lives of purpose, service, and authentic human connection.