How do donor contributions make a difference for UMKC students, faculty and Kansas City? Check out these gifts in action!
Do you have a story idea to share? Please let us know so we can continue to spread impactful news to others.
Partners in Progress
by Patricia O’Dell
The relationship between the UMKC School of Computing and Engineering and Honeywell benefits both organizations, and the Kansas City community.
New technology. New research. New partnerships. As the School of Computing and Engineering expands with the addition of the new Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise and Research Center, students, faculty and staff are thrilled with the prospect of expanded opportunities for research, education and innovation. (more…)
Scholarship and Determination Lead to Success
by Patricia O’Dell
Ka Baw Say immigrated to the United States with his older brother and sister when he was 19 years old. The Thomas and Theresa Sullivan Scholarship he received in 2018 enabled him to improve his education and his life.
“We wanted a good future,” says Say of him and his siblings. “Our parents did not come with us. They were worried, but they didn’t want to stop us. They wanted us to have a good life.” (more…)
Five Questions with Lisa Baronio, Chief Advancement Officer, UMKC and President UMKC Foundation
As asked by Jean Peat, APR, Director of Communications, UMKC Foundation
On June 17, we welcomed new UMKC Foundation president Lisa Baronio to the UMKC family. As she begins her role in leading fundraising and advancement for the university, we’d like to help you get to know her a bit better. (more…)
Celebrating a Legendary Leader
UMKC honors champion and supporter Henry Bloch
The University of Missouri-Kansas City is celebrating the extraordinary life and unprecedented contributions of Kansas City entrepreneur and philanthropist Henry W. Bloch (1922-2019).
Bloch was the retired chairman of H&R Block, a tax-preparation company which he founded with his brother, Richard, in 1955. A quintessential entrepreneur, Bloch worked tirelessly — toiling over tax returns as his first child, Robert, was being born — and deftly responded to shifts in the market, developing H&R Block into the largest commercial tax preparation firm in the world. (more…)
Memorial Scholarship Honors Hard Work and Focus
By Patricia O’Dell
When Karen and Don Loeffelholz’s daughter, Kristin, passed away in 1998, they made their first contribution to UMKC in her memory.
A few years later in 2001, they established the Kristin Jane Loeffelholz Memorial Scholarship in her name and have been contributing to it since.
The couple feels that providing these scholarships is the kind of lasting legacy that Kristin deserves.
“Kristin loved UMKC,” Don says. “She was her happiest when she was there.”
The Loeffelholzes developed the scholarship criteria based on Kristin’s personal experience. Recipients must be active in engineering activities, either Kansas, Missouri or Iowa residents, employed part-time and maintaining a C+ average or better.