2024 Alumnus of the Year

The Rockhurst High School National Alumni Association Executive Committee will honor Mark R. Teahan ’78 as its 2024 Alumnus of the Year. Teahan will accept the award during the school’s Homecoming Mass on October 8, 2024. He will also be recognized at the Alumni Reunion Celebration on October 11, and at the Fr. Mario Puricelli, SJ, Alumni Spaghetti Dinner on November 7.

 

Rockhurst High School has remained a big part of Teahan’s life since he stepped on campus in 1974 as a freshman. Along with being a standout student-athlete at The Rock, he took on several leadership roles within the student community. He served as the Spirit Club Chairman, Class Vice President, “Hunger Walk” fundraiser organizer, Prep News staff member, and Yell Leader, all while earning 1^st Honors all four years and being an All-Metro basketball player and team captain as a senior. He was inducted into the Rockhurst High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.

 

After graduation, Teahan continued his Jesuit education at Rockhurst College (now University). He also remained a student-athlete as he was named to both the NAIA All-American and Academic All-American Teams. He earned his degree in Accounting with summa cum laude honors. In 1996 he was inducted into the Rockhurst College/University Athletics Hall of Fame as one of the top rebounders in program history, in addition to scoring more than 1,000 career points.

 

Teahan started his professional career as a CPA and in 1990, at the age of 30, was hired as the Chief Financial Officer of George J. Shaw Construction Co. He would remain with the company for 35 years, and became owner of the company in 2000.

 

While expanding the company’s business, Teahan always kept family as his top priority; a family with many ties to Rockhurst. Teahan had three brothers who attended Rockhurst (Vince ’77, Mike ’81, and Dan ’85). He and wife, Donna, have five children: a daughter, Natalie, and four RHS grads: Kyle ’03, Conner ’07, Chris ’17, and Marcus ’19. They also have five nephews and two grandsons (Lucas Gates ’23 and Jude Gates ’27) who are Hawklets.  

 

Philanthropy has also been at the top of Teahan’s list. His volunteer organizations have included Catholic Charities, St. Lawrence Catholic Center at the University of Kansas, Curé of Ars Parish, Rockhurst University, and of course Rockhurst High School. Mark and Donna were co-chairs of the 2016 Spectacular Auction, a record-setting fundraiser to that point, bringing in more than $750,000 in tuition assistance.

 

Teahan also served as the Chairman of the Builders Association of Kansas City and the Chairman of the General Labor Committee and was a Trustee on multiple Union Benefit Funds.

 

Teahan was a leader on Rockhurst High School’s Board of Trustees from 2014-2021, including a term as the Chairman of the Board from 2019-2021. 

 

His service as a volunteer leader at the high school has included increasing financial aid for students and their families; focusing on the school’s Catholic identity; creating a formalized Investment Committee; assisting in the planning of the Hawklets Center; sitting on a strategic planning committee for the last 18 months reviewing priorities for co-curriculars and athletics; serving on the Athletics Committee; and continuing his active involvement on the Facilities Committee. As Board Chair, Teahan helped lead the school community through the challenges of the global pandemic as Rockhurst was a local leader in continuing in-person education in August 2020.

 

For his longtime service and loyal commitment to his alma mater, Teahan was selected as the school’s 23^rd Alumnus of the Year.

 

“I am incredibly honored to be recognized as the Rockhurst High School Alumnus of the Year,” remarked Teahan. “Rockhurst has always played a large influential role in my life. I have a deep love of this institution – what it stands for, who it helps, and the lives it impacts. To be considered as having a small impact on this community is truly a heartwarming and humbling honor.”

 

To those involved in the Rockhurst High School alumni community, the selection of Teahan as the 2024 Alumnus of the Year comes as no surprise.

 

“If you are around Rockhurst High School for any amount of time, you know the name Mark Teahan. Mark’s commitment and generosity to Rockhurst is known far and wide, and has been reflected all around the school – and the whole community – for decades,” remarked Pat M^cInerney ’82, National Alumni Association President. “From his dedicated service on the Board of Trustees, to his and Donna’s tireless work for Catholic Charities and the St. Lawrence Center at KU, he embodies what a ‘man for others’ does. And with Mark and Donna’s sons and grandsons carrying on the Teahan tradition at Rockhurst, Mark’s legacy only grows.”

 

Past honorees include:

2023 - Dr. Kevin J. Cummings '73
2022 - Peter B. Browne '85
2021 – Ray D. Evans ’78

2020 – Allen K. Roberson ’84

2019 – M. James Van Dyke ’72

2018 – Jonathan R. Haden ’75

2017 – Thomas A. McDonnell ’62

2016 – Michael J. Brown ’75

2015 – William H. Dunn ’40

2014 – John G. Houlehan ’60

2013 – Rev. Jeffrey P. Putthoff, SJ ’83

2012 – David M. Knopke ’66

2011 – M. Rev. Geo. K. Fitzsimons, DD ’45

2010 – Thomas H. Norman ’59

2009 – Timothy P. O’Connor, PharmaD. ’74

2008 – James C. Wirken ’62

2007 – Raymond W. Sonnenberg ’65

2006 – Timothy M. Trabon ’69

2005 – Michael J. Van Dyke ’66

2004 – Robert E. Miller ’46

2003 – Mark J. Henke ’72

2002 – William J. McGraw ’44