Being Human - Rockhurst University

RockhurstreportRenovating the RockWhen the Rev. Edward Kinerk,S.J., became president of Rockhursttwo years ago, he made updatingand beautifying the University’s facilitiesand grounds a top priority. As aresult, the campus is undergoing anextensive facelift.For starters, the main campusentrance has moved south one blockto 54th Street and Troost Avenue.Low limestone retaining walls linethe new curved street that leads toexpanded parking areas. A visitorinformation booth and surroundinglimestone walls should be in placeby early June. Stately wrought ironand limestone decorative gates arescheduled for completion near theend of July.The Greenlease Gallery, whichwill house Rockhurst’s permanentart collection and replace MassmanGallery as the space for temporaryexhibitions, is targeted for completionin mid-August. By the end of May,the exterior is expected to take shapewith the addition of limestone panels.Bell Tower InscriptionGone is the gated parking lot infront of Massman Hall. In its place,a quadrangle plaza tower, fountainand pergola are under constructionand should be completed by theend of September.The focal point of this area willbe a 93-foot bell tower. When pedestriansmake their way from the parkinglots, across what used to be 53rdStreet, they will climb a new wide setof stairs toward the tower, which willgreet them with the inscription,“Learning, Leadership and Servicein the Jesuit Tradition.” The west faceof the tower will bear an inspirationalquote by the superior general of theSociety of Jesus.(Right) In mid-April, scaffoldingsurrounded the bell tower asconstruction workers continuedto add to its height. (Below) Acomputerized rendering showsthe completed tower and pergolafrom the same perspective.In addition, Dowling Hall hasbeen demolished to make way fornorth-side parking, and a new studentactivity hall, located behind theConvocation Center, was completedin March.The beautification plan is only thefirst phase of major physical changesto the campus. Future projects includethe renovation of Conway Hall, theexpansion of the soccer field and theaddition of Loyola Park — includingconstruction of student town houses.YO UARE CALLED BY THE SOCIETY O F JESUSTO be men and women who reflect upon the realityof the world around you with all its ambiguities,opportunities, and challenges,TO discern what is really happening in your life andin the lives of others, to find God there and to discoverwhere God is calling you,TO employ criteria for significant choices that reflectGodly values rather than narrow, exclusive self-interest,TO make decisions in the light of what is truly for thegreater glory of God and the service of those in need,and then to act accordingly.Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J.Superior General of the Society of JesusROCKHURST4