Call For Nominations
Nominations are being accepted for the Community Partnership Award, Leo E. Morton Community Service Award, and the Vision Forward Award. For more information, contact Joe Constantino at constantinoj@umkc.edu.
UMKC Trustees Community Engagement Awards
Partnerships are key to the success of the university, so we celebrate outstanding engagement initiatives that strengthen the relationship between the community and UMKC. Collaborations are happening every day, and some of them need to be recognized for their impact and for being partnership models for other communities.
Not only can a community organization make a positive impact on the university, but the university can also make the city and region a better place to live. As a group of business and civic leaders, the Trustees are deeply aware of how important this work can be.
These awards are given to a program and/or project developed in collaboration by individuals at the university or in the community that helps further the goals of both organizations.
Community Partnership Award
The Community Partnership Award recognizes a business or organization that contributes to the university through programs and or projects that help the university live up to its urban-serving mission of education and research.
Commerce Bank received the 2023 Community Partnership Award. Accepting the award was Dr. Scott Boswell, UMKC Trustee and President of Commerce Trust Company West Region.
UMKC has received loyal and broad-based support from both Commerce Bank and their Charitable Trusts and Foundations Office. The consistent support of diverse programs and facilities provided by Commerce has enriched UMKC’s work in a variety of fields, including scholarships and student support, building renovation funding, faculty research, event sponsorship, and academic programming.
| Year | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Commerce Bank |
| 2021 | Evergy Truman Medical Centers |
| 2019 | Burns & McDonnell |
| 2017 | Beacon Hill Developers LLC |
| 2016 | UMKC Alumni Association |
| 2015 | Bernstein-Rein Advertising |
| 2014 | City of Kansas City, Missouri |
Leo E. Morton Community Service Award
The Community Service Award recognizes university – academic units, departments, programs and services – contributions to the community through innovative services, programs, and or projects that strengthen the relationship between the university and the community, ensuring that UMKC remains embedded in the fabric of the community.
The Institute for Urban Education received the 2023 Leo E. Morton Community Service Award. Accepting the award was Dr. Jennifer Waddell, Associate Professor and Sprint Endowed Professor at the UMKC School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences.
The Institute for Urban Education (IUE) is in its 18th year and is a comprehensive teacher preparation program for those who want to teach in diverse, multicultural schools. IUE students commit to teaching for four years in Kansas City post-graduation in exchange for scholarship support while at UMKC. The IUE is a comprehensive system that supports aspiring urban educators over the course of their career pathway – from their introduction to the field to their time as professional teachers.
| Year | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Institute for Urban Education |
| 2021 | Law School Child & Family Law Program Dr. Cameron Lindsey (School of Pharmacy) |
| 2019 | Tony Luppino (School of Law) |
| 2017 | UMKC School of Dentistry |
| 2016 | UMKC Architecture, Urban Planning + Design |
| 2015 | KC STEM Alliance |
| 2014 | KCSourceLink |
Vision Forward Award
The Vision Forward Award recognizes a new or emerging initiative that demonstrates the spirit of discovery and innovation with promising outcomes that enhance the quality of life in Kansas City and/or supports the university’s urban-serving mission. Awardees can either be a single entity or a partnership. The initiative must have been launched within 24 months of the current call for nominations.
From Seed to Table received the Vision Forward Award. Accepting the award was Bryan Meyer, CEO and Co-Founder of the Veterans Community Project. Also recognized was Dr. Angela Cottrell (photo below), Director of Research and Institute Programs for the Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy and adjunct instructor in the UMKC School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences.
The From Seed to Table Project delivers a 100% veteran-serving program to enrich Kansas City and the lives of its veterans. While many agricultural programs focus on rural farming practices, this effort focuses on urban agriculture and controlled environment agriculture solutions and training initiatives, because most homeless military veterans live in urban areas. The project supports veteran beginning farmers through employment, education, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Henry W. Bloch Trustee Excellence Award
The purpose of the award is to inspire excellence and commitment on the part of all UMKC trustees by periodically recognizing long-term, in-depth service to both UMKC and the UMKC Board of Trustees. The accolade is unique in that it is not awarded annually. Rather, it is bestowed as deemed appropriate by the trustees.
Tom Bloch and 2022 recipient Charlie Shields.
This prestigious honor has only been awarded six times.
- Charlie Shields (2022)
- Keith Copaken (2022)
- Warren Erdman (2019)
- Doranne Hudson (2016)
- Hugh J. Zimmer (2014)
- Henry Bloch (at its inception in 2011)
Get More Information
Joe Constantino, Director, External Relations and Divisional Strategic Initiatives
External Relations and Constituent Engagement
Administrative Center – AC 315B
5115 Oak St.
Kansas City, MO 64112
(816) 235-5201
constantinoj@umkc.edu
