Former Salesianum President Rev. Thomas B. Curran, OSFS, Named President Of Rockhurst University (Mo.)

Oblate served at Salesianum from 1997-2004, founded Nativity Prep

Former Salesianum president Rev. Thomas B. Curran, OSFS, currently the associate vice president for university relations and assistant to the president of Regis University in Denver, Co., has been appointed the 14th president of Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo.

A Jesuit institution serving an enrollment of 3,000 students, Rockhurst welcomes Curran as its first non-Jesuit president. Curran is expected to assume duties in June, with an official installation in the fall.

"I am grateful to God for the opportunity to minister as the 14th president of Rockhurst University," said Curran. "I am honored and humbled by the confidence placed in me by the entire Rockhurst community. I also consider myself blessed by my own community, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. I look forward to building upon the Rockhurst tradition where students are instructed in how to learn, to lead and to serve."

During Curran's seven-year tenure at Salesianum (1997-2004), the school marked its 100th anniversary in 2003 and the development of a $20 million master plan. This was approved in 1999 and set to be accomplished during a 10-12 year period. Projects completed under his tenure included a renovated gymnasium, upgraded athletic fields, a refurbished faculty house for the Oblate priests and brothers, a guidance center, the Rocco A. Abessinio '59 Science Center, the Laffey McHugh Fine Arts Center, a technology corridor and a new chapel and conference center. Curran also doubled the schoolÕ's endowment to $10 million and founded Nativity Prep of Wilmington, a tuition-free middle school, in correlation with Salesianum's centennial celebration.

Curran was succeeded by Salesianum's current president, Rev. James E. Dalton, OSFS, in June 2004.

Salesianum School is a Roman Catholic independent secondary school that teaches young men to "Live Jesus", guided by the spirituality of Saint Francis de Sales, through a college preparatory education, enabling them to take their place in the world as Salesian gentlemen.