Rockhurst High School
Fr. Stephen Kramer, SJ, Selected as New Principal
The following message was sent to members of the Rockhurst community on March 25, 2025.
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Dear Rockhurst High School Community,
Greetings to you this late March as we begin the 4th Quarter of our academic year at Rockhurst High School.
In early January, I wrote to you to share with you the news that our school Principal, Fr. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, would be completing his service to Rockhurst High School at the conclusion of our school year and that he has been missioned to become the President of Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida.
At that time, I also outlined our process for the succession planning for our Principal’s position.
After receiving applications from a broad base of educators with professional interest in our position, and gathering input from members of our faculty, parent community, and Board of Trustees, I am pleased to share with you that beginning July 1, 2025, Fr. Stephen Kramer, SJ, will become the Principal of Rockhurst High School. Fr. Kramer is a Jesuit of the United Central and Southern Province of the United States, to which Rockhurst belongs.
David J. Laughlin
Fr. Kramer has served in a variety of roles in his 18 years in the Society of Jesus. He will be coming to Rockhurst from his most recent position of Prefect of Students (similar to our Dean of Students) and Special Assistant to the President of Jesuit High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition to his administrative roles at Jesuit High School, Fr. Kramer was a teacher of Theology. He has also been a teacher at De Smet Jesuit High School in St. Louis and Regis Jesuit High School in Denver, Colorado.
Fr. Kramer is a native of St. Louis and a graduate of St. Louis University High School. He holds his undergraduate degree from St. Louis University and master’s degrees from Boston College. He has also completed the University of Notre Dame McGrath Institute Capstone Program for Curricular Development in Science and Religion.
Fr. Kramer will be coming to Kansas City at the beginning of July following his Tertianship program (Jesuit formation), which he has undertaken in Nairobi, Kenya.
Thank you to many members of our community who provided important feedback for my discernment in hiring our next Principal. Please hold the transitions of Fr. Giacabazi and the Tampa Jesuit community, and Fr. Kramer and our Rockhurst High community in your prayers.
God bless,
David J. Laughlin
President
Rockhurst High School
