Volunteer’s $1.2 Million Gift Ensures Student Support

Endowment benefits Conservatory and the Women’s Council Graduate Assistance Fund 

The late Caroline McBride French was an enthusiastic UMKC Conservatory donor and volunteer. A successful attorney in Kansas City, French was active on the Friends of the UMKC Conservatory board, a fervent supporter of Crescendo, the Conservatory’s signature fundraiser and a member of the UMKC Women’s Committee for the UMKC Conservatory. Continue reading “Volunteer’s $1.2 Million Gift Ensures Student Support”

Family Surprises Matriarch with 93rd Birthday Gift to Beloved UMKC Program

Introducing the SPARK Flossie Pack Center for Lifelong Learning

Flossie Pack’s children wanted to surprise her for her 93rd birthday. She did not expect them to donate $600,000 to support the lifelong learning center that she loves, which will bear her name. Continue reading “Family Surprises Matriarch with 93rd Birthday Gift to Beloved UMKC Program”

Conservatory Celebrates 27 New Scholarships

Volunteer-led 20/20 campaign exceeds goals

The UMKC Conservatory is celebrating the creation of 27 new endowed scholarships. Thanks to a volunteer committee which triumphed during challenging times, students who may not have been able to join the ranks of Conservatory students and alumni will now have their chance. Continue reading “Conservatory Celebrates 27 New Scholarships”

It’s Never Too Late to Graduate

Crankstart Scholarships are designed for nontraditional students

Not all students take a direct path from college initiation to graduation. Sometimes circumstances intercede that require degree-seekers to take a break, but that does not mean they do not have a viable path to graduation. Continue reading “It’s Never Too Late to Graduate”

Former UM System president gives $2 million to NextGen Data Science and Analytics Innovation Center at UMKC

Gift supports a collaborative effort between UMKC and MU housed in Kansas City.

Former UM System president Gary Forsee and Sherry Forsee have committed $2 million to support research that will provide data analytics to power the NextGen Precision Health initiative and other precision health research across the University of Missouri System’s four universities. Continue reading “Former UM System president gives $2 million to NextGen Data Science and Analytics Innovation Center at UMKC”

UMKC Conservatory Students Benefit from Legacy of Beloved Instructor

Grassroots effort leads to memorial scholarship

The late James Rothwell had an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for creating music. A pioneer in electronic sound recording, Rothwell and his achievements are memorialized in the James A. Rothwell Scholarship Fund at the UMKC Conservatory. Continue reading “UMKC Conservatory Students Benefit from Legacy of Beloved Instructor”

Matching Gift for #RooRelief Student Emergency Fund Donations

Recent study shows nearly a quarter are struggling financially

Despite previous efforts to replenish emergency funds for students, demand is outweighing availability. A recent survey of more than 1,000 UMKC students found that nearly one-fourth of them are struggling financially.

Many do not have the money they need to buy materials for their courses. To respond to this need, an anonymous donor has committed matching #RooRelief funds to any gift made to the Student Emergency Fund and the Kangaroo Food Pantry. Continue reading “Matching Gift for #RooRelief Student Emergency Fund Donations”

Jazz Great’s Legacy Enriches University Collections

Barney Kessel began playing guitar when he was 12 years old in his hometown of Muskogee, Oklahoma. By 1937, at the age of 14, he was playing professionally. Kessel built a legendary jazz career and an impressive collection of music and manuscripts. Continue reading “Jazz Great’s Legacy Enriches University Collections”