UMKC | University Advancement | 2012-13 Annual Report
To our UMKC
This has been a special year in the life of our campus. I don’t think in my 24 years here I have
ever felt the energy and momentum as intensely as I do now. So much of that is thanks to your
work, your advocacy and your support as our key alumni and volunteers.
This look back is divided into two sections – one is our fiscal year annual report, and the
other is a special section highlighting the 80th anniversary of our campus.
We, in the Office of University Advancement, are privileged not only to work with all of you
each and every day to move the university toward its aspirations, but we’re also stewards
of the UMKC story. The staff in the four Advancement departments – Alumni & Constituent
Relations, Community & Public Affairs, External Relations, and Advancement Services – are
dedicated to making your connection with UMKC experiential, enduring and extraordinary.
From our alumni legacy to the power of our partnerships and relationships, celebrating
where we’ve been and where we’re going – with you – is our common purpose.
One of my favorite moments in my entire career occurred during Founders’ Week when all
four of our former living chancellors were back to celebrate with us. It was a reminder that
we all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us – our past graduates, our past
donors, our past faculty, staff and administrators, and our past civic leaders.
We are honored to be the UMKC staff who help alumni and friends experience all that is
UMKC and equip our volunteers to be advocates for the university. Thank you for joining us
on this journey and for making this a watershed year for the campus.
Curtis J. Crespino
Vice Chancellor for University Advancement
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Sharing UMKC’s
through experiences
More than 23,500 guests attended standard-setting events managed by the
Advancement team. These events ranged from alumni reunions in the schools and
Founders’ Week to galas and large-scale events such as the Entrepreneur of the
Year Awards dinner, Crescendo, the Women’s Council Graduate Assistance Fund
Luncheon, Jazz & BBQ, and the annual Midwest Dental Conference.
An additional 45,146 guests participated in meetings hosted through the
Administrative Conference Center, managed by University Advancement.
Alumni in New York gathered to reconnect and experience the New York premiere
of the Kansas City Rep’s Venice production in New York City in June. In February,
UMKC alumni in Hawaii gathered to hear updates on the university and to honor
dental alumnus Russell Tabata, the 2013 Bill French Alumni Service Awardee.
UMKC held its first international alumni event in China in 2013 in conjunction with
the Edgar Snow Symposium in Beijing. More than 125 alumni and friends gathered
to celebrate the university’s long and rich relationship with China.
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Leveraging the
of relationships
UMKC’s more than 2,600 volunteers shattered previous engagement records by
donating more than 217,000 hours to the university. Those hours, based on the
national benchmark valuation of a volunteer’s time, is valued at nearly $5 million.
Nearly $1.4 million in support for students and programs was garnered through
the year’s events and Alumni Fund donations, which set a high-water mark for
funds raised. More than 900 new alumni joined the donor ranks last fiscal year,
a new record.
This past year, the 2013 Chancellor’s Medal was awarded to the UMKC Board
of Trustees. This group has helped expand the campus through its real estate
holdings, attract students through its scholarship program, and garner more
support through the establishment of the UMKC Foundation.
UMKC was named to the 2012 President’s Higher Education Community Service
Honor Roll with Distinction. This award recognizes higher education institutions
that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful
outcomes in their communities. This is the third time the university has been named
to the Honor Roll with Distinction.
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Nurturing the
of our graduates
Keeping alumni connected to their alma mater is a daily mission. Last year, more than
891,000 email messages helped keep alumni engaged with their academic units and
UMKC through news, updates and event invitations.
As primary stewards of UMKC’s story, the Advancement Office manages
communications to alumni and friends – from print to online to social media.
Each month, more than 30,000 alumni and friends receive e-Roos, the Advancement
office’s award-winning electronic newsletter. The university’s magazine, Perspectives, is
mailed twice each year to more than 88,000 alumni and friends.
UMKC’s Alumni Awards Celebration has become one of the university’s largest events.
More than 600 people attended last year’s luncheon honoring UMKC’s outstanding
alumni. The event garnered a record $200,000 in scholarship support.
Some special Roos joined the UMKC alumni family last year when they were
granted honorary doctorates.
• Doctor of Engineering – Greg Graves, Chairman and CEO, Burns & McDonnell
• Doctor of Musical Arts – Shirley Bush Helzberg, The Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation
• Doctor of Laws – James A. Polsinelli, Shareholder, Polsinelli PC
• Doctor of Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations – Ralph D. Reid, President of the Sprint Foundation
and Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, Sprint Nextel
• Doctor of Philosophy – R. Crosby Kemper Jr., Retired Chairman, UMB Bank
Our heartfelt condolences to the Kemper family on the recent passing of R. Crosby Kemper Jr.
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CELEBRATING
YEARS
1,374 PEOPLE
The Planets concert at the Kauffman
Center for the Performing Arts was
UMKC’s first sell-out of Helzberg Hall.
2 TRUMANS
Clifton Truman Daniel spoke at the December
Commencement ceremony just as his
grandfather, President Harry Truman, did in
1945 on the Quad outside of Scofield Hall.
As it enters its eighth decade, UMKC is finally greater than
the sum of its many parts. The Kangaroo spirit has never
been stronger.
For so long the city’s hidden gem and best kept secret,
UMKC has staked a name for itself as a top university with
nationally and internationally ranked programs, a place where
the arts and culture are valued and cultivated, and where
community service and scholarship meet alumni and civic pride
to make the city and region a better place.
UMKC owes its very existence to the forward-minded civic
leaders who first proposed the creation of the university and
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15 STEPS
During the Cornerstone Celebration for the
new student housing project on Hospital Hill,
university, government, corporate and civic
leaders walked arm-in-arm across Troost to
symbolize unity and erase a dividing line in
our community.
felt passionately that this institution should reflect the resilient
and productive spirit that symbolizes Kansas City itself. Today,
UMKC boasts a civic involvement and support that rivals its
aspirational urban peers and fulfills the dreams of its founders.
The 80th anniversary celebration began with the
Alumni Awards celebration in April and included this fall’s
Founders’ Week. The anniversary concluded with December
commencement, which featured the grandson of President
Harry S. Truman as the keynote speaker. The year’s celebration
brought back alumni and friends from across the country to
celebrate 80 years as “Kansas City’s University.”
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5 CHANCELLORS
ONE HISTORIC EVENT
For the first time, five Chancellors (past and present) were
assembled together: UM System President Emeritus and
Chancellor Emeritus Russell and Chancellors Schwartz,
Gilliland, Bailey, and Morton.
Chancellor Morton delivered an inspiring State of the
University Address, which was followed by an historic
resigning of the original charter.
263 RUNNERS & WALKERS
The inaugural Regalia Run/Walk 5K was a
huge success and was followed by a Family
Fun Fair enjoyed by kids of all ages.
245 STUDENTS
A Cornerstone Ceremony was held to celebrate
the new residence hall being built on Hospital
Hill. It is expected to open for the fall semester
of 2014 and will house 245 UMKC students.
4 MASTERS
12 PROUD ALUMNI
Twelve local alumni shared their Roo pride
through the UMKC PROUD billboard
campaign. Their faces could be seen on
massive billboards all over the metro area.
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Master Classes were held by some of
the university’s most distinguished alumni:
Dr. Cynthia Watson, Dr. Timothy Buie,
James B. Steele and Donald Fehr (below).
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to those who made our 80th anniversary so memorable
2 LEADERS
The anniversary was co-chaired by alumni
James B. Steele, two-time Pulitzer winner and
contributing editor to Vanity Fair, and civic leader
and Mayor of Leawood, Kan., Peggy Dunn.
Feeling the
of our campus
The new Henry W. Bloch Executive Hall for Entrepreneurship and Innovation opened
its doors and will inspire young minds with its beautiful architecture, state-of-the-art
technology, and collaborative learning spaces. The building was made possible by
a $32 million gift from Henry W. Bloch and was the vision of Bloch School Dean
Teng-Kee Tan.
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Mary Kay McPhee and Bill Pfeiffer
Sodexo
Toyota
HONORARY CHAIRS
Bert Berkley
Henry Bloch
John Danforth
E. Grey Dimond
Gary Forsee
Donald Hall Sr.
Jim Heeter
Mayor Sly James
Fred Lyons
Jeannette Nichols
Mary Kay McPhee & Bill Pfeiffer
Vera Olson
Robert Rogers
Carlos Salazar
Jewel Scott
Morton Sosland
Jim & Virginia Stowers
Russell Tabata
Hugh Zimmer
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ANNIVERSARY
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Peggy Dunn, Co-Chair
James B. Steele, Co-Chair
Angela Bennett, Curator Emerita
Tom Bloch, UMKC Trustee Chair and
UMKC Foundation
Jerry Lonergan, Alumni Association
Governing Board
Raymond Cattaneo
Sarah Clarke
Curtis J. Crespino
Sheri Gormley
Carol Grimaldi
Linda Hood Talbott
Sabrina Madison Cannon
Denise McNerney
Nancy Mills
Annie Presley
Mel Tyler
Wayne Vaught
Michelle Wimes
Another phase of the Miller Nichols Library and Learning Center expansion and
renovation was completed. A new south entrance and additional classrooms were
unveiled and now work has begun on the 2nd and 3rd floors, which include the
Administrative, Circulation and Access Management, and Emeritus College offices.
For the first time, students enrolled in the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing
& Health Studies, and Pharmacy will have university housing right on the Hospital
Hill Campus available next fall. The complex will provide living quarters for 245
students, a fitness facility, and a 196-space parking garage. The project is a part of
a redevelopment effort of the Beacon Hill area and the Troost Corridor.
FOUNDERS’ WEEK
Juana Hishaw, Chair
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Cultivating
beyond our borders
More than 60 constituent advocacy groups work on behalf of UMKC and its schools
and colleges. Alumni and friends give back by serving on boards ranging from the
Friends of the Conservatory or Friends of the Library to the Carolyn Benton Cockefair
Chair Advisory Committee to the UMKC Women’s Council.
UMKC continued its collaboration with the YMCA on a six-year partnership for
the YOUNG ACHIEVERS program (college preparation program for teens from
disadvantaged backgrounds).
The Alumni Association refreshed and re-introduced the classic Disney Kangaroo mascot
in a new apparel line offered online. Through a partnership with UMKC Athletics,
UMKC gear is now available at local Kansas Sampler and Rally House retail locations.
Together with its Hispanic Advisory Board, UMKC hosted another series of successful
soccer games – Fútbol Clássico – on campus. The games included four local high
schools whose student population is primarily Hispanic. The hope is that by inviting the
students along with their families to experience the university, they will envision a future
for themselves that includes higher education. It’s just one example of the partnerships
that bring together community and alumni leaders with prospective students to
experience UMKC.
BEHIND THE SCENES
For average people, ensuring the information in their address book is up-to-date is a constant battle. Think about the effort needed
to maintain a database of more than 100,000 contacts! The Advancement Services staff makes the experience of changing a
mailing, email or employment address seamless for our alumni, advocates and friends. The staff also ensures that all donations of
time and money are properly recorded and receipted – a huge job. This past year that department:
•Processed more than 70,825 gift entries
•Processed more than 126,307 address updates
•Processed more than 21,045 quarterly receipts to donors
•Processed nearly 3,000 acknowledgment letters to donors and
more than 500 special donor stewardship reports
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Advancement LEADERSHIP
OUR SHARED VALUES
Diversity:
Energized Collaboration:
We recognize that our alumni and
constituents are integral to what we do.
We work to serve them and advance
our mission together.
We seek, support and celebrate the
diversity of all people. We respect
individual dignity and are sensitive to
differences in ideas and beliefs.
We nurture positive, visionary and
empowering environments. We collaborate,
partner and interact.
High Standards:
Innovation & Creativity:
Stakeholders First:
Curtis j. Crespino
Lisen Tammeus Mann
Troy Lillebo
Vice Chancellor
University Advancement
Assistant Vice Chancellor
Alumni and Constituent Relations
Assistant Vice Chancellor
External Relations
Stancia Jenkins
Assistant Vice Chancellor
Community and Public Affairs
We don’t just meet expectations.
We exceed them.
We challenge ourselves to explore
possibilities and play with ideas.
Creativity is about being unique,
meaningful and memorable.
Stewardship:
We are stewards of the UMKC story.
We foster the institutional memory and
legacy of the university.
University Advancement departments
Shannon Stone
JoE A. Constantino
Assistant Vice Chancellor
Advancement Services
Director and Special Assistant
to the Vice Chancellor
CARLA HEINS
Business/Fiscal Operations Manager
ALUMNI & CONSTITUENT RELATIONS
A university is nothing without its alumni. Alumni commit expertise, time and resources to the success of the university. The Alumni and Constituent
Relations team engages alumni in extraordinary programs and experiences both university-wide and in UMKC’s schools and colleges. In
addition, the department manages events for the Alumni Association, publishes the award-winning Perspectives magazine and produces alumni
e-newsletters, websites and communications. This team works diligently to keep alumni connected and engaged.
COMMUNITY & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
As an urban university, it is imperative UMKC is an active community partner. UMKC prides itself in being at the table and participating in
conversations and initiatives that impact the greater community. The Community and Public Affairs team works with city and county government,
neighborhood associations and many of the university’s other external and civic partnerships to achieve common goals and make Kansas City
an exceptional community.
About UNIVERSITY Advancement
“Making connections with UMKC experiential, enduring and extraordinary.”
We foster relationships that celebrate and demonstrate the spirit of UMKC to build advocacy, stewardship and support.
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EXTERNAL RELATIONS
The university forges relationships with many different stakeholders. The meaningful connections that are made enable the university to make an
impact beyond its borders. The External Relations team manages constituent relationships for the campus including the Board of Trustees, state
government and legislative bodies. The department also coordinates stewardship, special events and conference services for the university.
ADVANCEMENT SERVICES
While the external face of Advancement is about relationships and experiences, there’s another important component of the division – data.
The Advancement Office is devoted to making meaningful connections with constituents, but it is also equally dedicated to making sure it has the
best data to inform and drive the work. The Advancement Services team manages the alumni and donor records database, the recording of all
volunteer hours and donor gifts, gift receipting, the execution of the Alumni Fund’s telefund program, as well as managing university endowments.
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“80th Anniversary: Honoring the Past and
Celebrating our Future”
Connections to our past become
symbols for our tomorrow
Just weeks after assuming the presidency in 1945, Harry
Truman spoke on the south terrace of what is now Scofield
Hall. He was also the recipient of the university’s first honorary
doctorate.
Having attended the University of Kansas City from
1923–1925, Truman studied law but didn’t graduate. It
isn’t often that a school can call a president one of its own.
Therefore, shortly after Truman gave one of his first speeches
as Commander in Chief at University of Kansas City, University
President Clarence Decker requested a memento of the visit.
Fortuitous timing of President Truman’s efforts to renovate the
White House coincided with Decker’s request and allowed
the university an opportunity to acquire two large stones from
the White House. To commemorate Truman’s visit, the stones
were to be placed on campus; however, they went unused for
many years on the grounds of the General Services buildings.
They were eventually discovered and placed into storage
in the basement of Epperson House where they remained
until recently.
It was also fortuitous timing that as UMKC’s 80th anniversary
approached, the White House stones — still raw and in the
same state in which they were delivered decades ago — were
brought out of storage. It was clear that the stones needed to be part of the 80th anniversary. The stones create the
perfect tie to the past, are a symbolic strength of the present and herald the promise that will move UMKC to new
heights in the years to come.
One stone will reside on the Volker Campus and the other will be placed on Hospital Hill near the site of the new
student housing development. These stones, finally adorned to commemorate UMKC’s 80th year and placed for all to
enjoy, will not only represent the past, but more importantly, symbolize the university of tomorrow, which is anchored
firmly in this treasured city, and a part of the fabric of the entire nation.
This story was a component of the 80th Anniversary Commemoration Event. The anniversary was an opportunity
to embrace the significance of our rich history as we celebrate the exciting possibilities for our future.
umkc.edu/advancement
University of Missouri-Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110