Call For Nominations
Nominations are closed for the 2024 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.
Google Fiber received the 2024 Community Partnership Award (large business category). Pictured: Debby Ballard (UMKC Trustees Board Chair), Andy Simpson (Google Fiber), Nick Saporito (Google Fiber), Wesley Fields (UMKC Trustee)
One of the most significant partnerships between Google Fiber and UMKC is with the School of Science and Engineering’s Computing, Analytics, and Mathematics division. Together, they embarked on a groundbreaking journey to test Google’s 20-gigabit broadband connectivity. This pioneering initiative not only marked a first for Google Fiber but also one of the first-ever applications of its kind in the broadband industry.
The Porter House KC received the Community Partnership Award (small business category). Pictured: Debby Ballard (UMKC Trustees Board Chair), Miranda Schultz (The Porter House KC), Daniel Smith (The Porter House KC), Rachel Merlo (UMKC Trustee), Charon Thompson (The Porter House KC)
The Porter House KC helps members of our community who feel left out of the region’s activities to “Make Kansas City the most entrepreneurial city in America.” Porter House KC’s partnerships with the university have strengthened UMKC’s position as an institution of, by, and for the community. Their joint initiatives have helped UMKC reach communities that traditionally have been the hardest to connect with.
| Year | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Google Fiber (large business category) The Porter House KC (small business/organization category) |
| 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.
UMKC Conservatory Bridges received the Leo E. Morton Community Service Award. Pictured: Debby Ballard (UMKC Trustees Board Chair), Elizabeth Valle (UMKC Conservatory), Rachel Merlo (UMKC Trustee)
Conservatory Bridges, the recipient of the Leo E. Morton Community Service Award, has distinguished itself with its unique and innovative approach to addressing the issue of diversity and access in arts-related fields. It is a program that truly bridges the gap, offering high-quality, individualized training and mentorship to students with limited access to supplemental arts instruction.
| Year | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 2024 | UMKC Conservatory Bridges |
| 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.
UMKC Conservatory and University Health received the Vision Forward Award for their Healing & Harmony Concert Series. Pictured: Debby Ballard (UMKC Trustees Board Chair), Dr. Mark Steele (University Health), Dr. Akin Cil (University Health), Steve Doyal (UMKC Trustee), Dr. Andrew Granade (UMKC Conservatory)
The Healing & Harmony Concert Series is a collaboration between the UMKC Conservatory and University Health. Its two primary goals are to provide enjoyment and comfort to patients, visitors, and staff at University Health facilities and to promote community engagement of student musicians from the Conservatory. The series exposed over 400 individuals to live music, fostering an atmosphere of relaxation, joy, and connection within the healthcare environment.
| Year | Recipients |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Healing & Harmony Concert Series |
| 2023 | From Seed to Table |
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
