2021 Alumnus of the Year

The Rockhurst High School National Alumni Association Executive Committee honored Ray D. Evans ’78 as its Alumnus of the Year.  Evans accepted the award during the school’s Homecoming Mass on September 28, 2021.

“It would be hard to find someone who exemplifies Jesuit ideals more than Ray Evans,” said Andrew F. Stafford, Sr. ’93, Former President of the Alumni Executive Committee.  “Ray always thinks about other people when he does something or talks to someone.  He shows that he understands and cares about other people’s problems.  He is honest, sincere, and genuine.  A true ‘man for others.’”

Evans has shown a steadfast commitment to Rockhurst High School and Catholic causes for more than 40 years.  He was Chairman of the Rockhurst High School Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2002 and has served on numerous special committee before and after that time, including a member of the search committee that selected Coach Kelly Donohoe in 2019.  Evans and his wife, Sarah, have always been generous donors to Rockhurst High School.  They established the Evans Family Scholarship Fund in 2012 and have faithfully built it ever since.

“It is very humbling to receive recognition from a place that has made such a positive and dramatic influence in my life,” Evans reflected. “So many good things that have happened to me and to our family are due to the education, character formation,  and lifelong tight friendships developed through my time at Rockhurst." 

"I am eternally grateful for The Rock, and I'm so appreciative of its role in the formation of young men in Kansas City," Evans continued.  "Certainly, Rockhurst has been life changing for me."

There is a very personal approach to the way Evans conducts himself that shows a commitment to being Christ-like in his life, both privately and professionally.  He is the founder of Pegasus Capital Management, which is devoted to an individualized relationship-building ethical standard that views people as more than clients.  Evans sees his work as a ministry, faithfully nurtured for God’s greater honor and glory.

"Ray was a leader for our class during our high school days together, and he continued that proven leadership for Rockhurst in many important roles as an alum," said Gerald Brenneman '78, member of the Alumni Executive Committee and Class Captain. "Ray just simply loves Rockhurst, as always demonstrated in his words and deeds, and he is one of the nicest and most unselfish people I know  – a true 'man for others'.  He is very deserving of the Alumnus of the Year honor and the Class of 1978 is very proud of him for all that he has done."

Evans was named to the 2019 and 2020 editions of the Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors, which recognizes top advisers at national, independent, regional and bank broker-dealers from across the United States.  He steadfastly supports the mission of the University of Kansas and currently serves as a trustee on the board of the KU Endowment.  His many other areas of service for the University includes the advisory boards for KU’s Edwards campus; the KU Medical Center Cancer Partners; and past chairman of the National Board of Directors for University of Kansas Alumni Association. Evans was honored with the Ellsworth Medallion Award by the KU Alumni Association for all his work for the university in 2015. 

Beyond Rockhurst High School and the University of Kansas, Evans also supports many charitable organizations, including Catholic Education Foundation, Higher Impact and the Keith Worthington Chapter of the ALS Association.

Evans earned his Bachelor of Science in business and an MBA from the University of Kansas. The Evans have three children, including their son Jack, who graduated from Rockhurst High School in 2015.

The Alumnus of the Year Award is named for Very Rev. Pedro Arrupe, SJ, who was Superior General of the Society of Jesus from 1965 to 1983. Fr. Arrupe coined the phrase “men for others,” as a challenge to alumni of Jesuit institutions to change the world with devotion and service to mankind. Award recipients serve as role models for the entire Rockhurst High School community, particularly its students.

You can watch Evans accept the award and reflect on the importance of Rockhurst High School in his life here.