The Jewish Community Relations Bureau|AJC has announced that the Rev. Thomas B. Curran, S.J., will receive the Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award at its annual Human Relations Event on November 18. Curran is the first clergy member to receive this honor.
For decades, Curran has led the way in the greater Kansas City community in the pursuit of justice and equity for all. JCRB|AJC is honored to celebrate Curran for his accomplishments and leadership, and his sense of fairness and inclusion of all people by presenting him with this award.
Curran, the president of Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, attended La Salle University, earned a B.A. in politics from DeSales University, an M.A. in theology from DeSales School of theology, an M.A. in liberal studies, public policy and government from Georgetown University, a J.D. from the Catholic University of America and an M.B.A. from Saint Joseph’s University.
Curran served as associate vice president for university relations and assistant to the president at Regis University in Denver and was also a religious studies faculty member, a university ministry team member and retreat leader.
He served as president of Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware, a Catholic high school operated by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. There, he founded and was executive director of the Nativity Preparatory School, a middle school for low-income boys.
In addition to receiving numerous awards and honors from Catholic and civic organizations, Curran sits on the board of directors of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Washington, D.C., St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of Trustees of MRIGlobal. He is also the Catholic Chaplain for The Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation.
The 2021 Human Relations Event chairs include Alvin Brooks; Carrie and Matt Condon; Peggy and Terry Dunn; Don Hall, Jr.; and Marny and John Sherman.
This year’s Human Relations Event will be held in-person, offering a modernized, safe, stream-lined program with greater opportunities for connection for attendees. For more information about the event, email or call 913-327-8127.