One-Time Gift Spurs Incredible Campaign of Giving

How one man’s final gift will inspire generations

It was an unusually warm and sunny late January day in Kansas City the day that David Westfall, Jr. (J.D. ’55) died. Those who knew him still remember his pleasant manner and giving spirit. At UMKC, his generosity is his legacy, though few here ever knew him at all. Continue reading “One-Time Gift Spurs Incredible Campaign of Giving”

UMKC Top Choice for 2023 Hispanic Development Fund Scholarship Recipients

The University of Missouri-Kansas City is the No. 1 choice for 60 high school students and 50 current students who received Hispanic Development Fund scholarships for the next academic year.

The event recognizing the scholarship recipients was both informational and a celebration. Continue reading “UMKC Top Choice for 2023 Hispanic Development Fund Scholarship Recipients”

A Musical Legacy

Annette Luyben continues her family’s history of supporting musicians

Anette Luyben, who grew up working in her family’s eponymous music store on Main Street in Kansas City, has lived her life surrounded by music and musicians. While the shop has moved online and narrowed its services, she continues to fuel the music community in Kansas City through gifts to the UMKC Conservatory.  Continue reading “A Musical Legacy”

Sunderland Foundation Gives $30 Million to UMKC Health Sciences District Project

New cutting-edge educational facility will serve as a catalyst for growth and position the district to become a premier academic medical district

The University of Missouri-Kansas City announced a $30 million gift today from the Sunderland Foundation to help fund a new state-of-the-art medical and dentistry building in the UMKC Health Sciences District. The project will escalate momentum for expanding the district into a major regional academic medical center that can provide innovative health care, attract top medical students and researchers and generate billions of dollars in jobs and economic development, while advancing care for the underserved. Continue reading “Sunderland Foundation Gives $30 Million to UMKC Health Sciences District Project”

Victor E. Dominguez, M.D. Memorial Scholarship Continues Alumnus Legacy

Awardees from southwest Missouri demonstrate academic excellence and financial need

Jose Dominguez (B.A.’88, M.D. ’89) remembers that his father, Emilio Dominguez, M.D., wanted his sons to have careers in medicine as well. He and his younger brother Victor (B.A. ’89, M.D. ’90) saw the value in their father’s dream for them and graduated from the UMKC School of Medicine. When Victor died of cancer in 1997, a scholarship was established in his name. Continue reading “Victor E. Dominguez, M.D. Memorial Scholarship Continues Alumnus Legacy”

A Gift with Resonance for Classical KC

UMKC Professor Emerita Linda Mitchell, Ph.D. grew up listening to classical music.

“We lived in the Philadelphia area, and we had wonderful classical music stations there, even before public radio,” she says. “I was a teenager when public radio started, and NPR’s programming became a lifeline for me.” Continue reading “A Gift with Resonance for Classical KC”

Counseling Student Establishes Scholarship to Honor Professor

A new profession led to mentoring relationship, gift

Martha Childers, M.A. ‘08, EDSP ‘13 decided to become a counselor after working in libraries for 38 years. An influential relationship with Johanna Nilsson, Ph.D., a professor in counseling psychology, led to a gift to UMKC to establish the Johanna E. Nilsson Scholarship for Diversity and Courage in Psychology. Continue reading “Counseling Student Establishes Scholarship to Honor Professor”

New Garmin Scholars Program Fuels Opportunity

Kao Family Foundation Establishes Garmin Scholars Program at UMKC

The Kao Family Foundation has donated $50,000 to establish a new scholarship program at the UMKC School of Computing and Engineering to increase opportunities for underrepresented students and escalate innovation in the field. Continue reading “New Garmin Scholars Program Fuels Opportunity”