Rapp Named Outstanding Young Alumnus

Published: Monday, May 8, 2017

President Stephen Minnis (left) and Shane Rapp '08Benedictine College honored Shane Rapp ’08 with the Young Alumni Award during the Senior Champagne Brunch on May 12. The award recognizes alumni who are under 35 years old, have distinguished themselves in their community and profession, and who support the values promoted at Benedictine College. Each year the honoree returns to address the graduating seniors at the Senior Brunch the day before Commencement.

“Benedictine in so many ways has been a second home and family to me,” Rapp said. “While the gift of my faith was first given to me by God through my parents, it became my own during my time in Aitchison. It is where I learned how to pray, where I learned what true community looks like, and where I found God’s plan for my life. Most of my best friendships also came from my time there and continue to support me in my vocations as a husband, father and educator.”

Rapp grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He played four years of soccer and rugby, and met his wife, Megan, while at Benedictine. He graduated in 2008 with degrees in English and Secondary Education. He is not only connected to Benedictine College through his wife and undergraduate degrees, he also returned to Benedictine to earn his Master of Arts in School Leadership.

Rapp went on to earn his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Baker University. He currently serves as the principal at St. James Academy in Lenexa, Kansas. He taught English and Theology at St. James for seven years before moving into administration.

“To receive this award is really a recognition of all that Benedictine College gave to me through the monks, my professors, my coaches and teammates, my friends and most especially the woman who became my wife and mother to my three kids,” he said.

He and his family live in Olathe, Kansas, and are members of St. Paul Parish.

Rapp told the graduating seniors that alma mater was Latin for “nourishing mother” and that Benedictine was like a mother to him. He also talked about his own mother, his mother-in-law, his wife, and the Virgin Mary. He told them to listen to their many mothers as they move through the years.

“Don’t try to control everything, but trust, trust that God will arrange the details of your life through the gentle hands of the mothers through which He so often works,” he said.

Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas.  The school is proud to have been named one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report as well as one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide.  It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging.  It has a mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

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