My UMKC journey began a year after UMKC joined the Missouri system in 1964. The journey continued through three degrees, including BA, MA, and EdS. I thought the latter was my terminal degree; however, I went on to another university to complete the EdD. Highlights included working with the School of Education alumni as president and the UMKC Alumni Association as vice president. The alumni organizations make UMKC a strong, community-based asset. In 2006, I was awarded a Presidential Citation as the first Bill French Service Award.
All that being said, the real impact has been made on my life through the friendships and relationships of hundreds of alumni devoted to UMKC. I was able to win a Goals 2000 grant to work with area education departments in five universities. The work we did together brought about changes to their teacher education programs. The greatest change was made by UMKC, which led to the establishment of the Institute for Urban Education.
I continue to support UMKC not from a feeling of duty, but as a strong belief that an urban university makes a difference in the lives of its students, graduates, families, and all who are a part of Kansas City.