Each year, UMKC and the UMKC Alumni Association celebrate the achievements of UMKC alumni and community members through the Alumni Awards. This year’s ceremony will be held on April 25, 2025.

Generous and visionary, these awardees have made extraordinary contributions to their professions and communities. They have created, innovated, mentored and inspired countless lives across Kansas City, our nation and world.

Visit our Alumni Awards page to learn more about their contributions and achievements.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

UNIVERSITY-WIDE AWARDS

Nathaniel Hagedorn (BBA ’02, MBA ’04)

Alumnus of the Year

James Mitchell (B.M./B.A. ’13)

Spotlight Award

Diana Kander (B.A. ’02)

Defying the Odds Award

The Mahaffey Family

Legacy Award Dr. Charles Mahaffey (DDS ’72) Dr. Darren Mahaffey (DDS ’05) Dr. Sarah Mahaffey (DDS ’05) Dr. Samantha Mahaffey (DDS ’22)

ACADEMIC ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDEES

Paula Petersen (EMBA ’07)

Henry W. Bloch School of Management

John Jenkins (DMA ’12)

Conservatory

Dr. Jessica Meeske (DDS ’96)

School of Dentistry

Terrence R. Ward

(Ph.D. ’12)

School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences

Steven Revare (M.A. ’07)

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Justice Melissa Taylor Standridge (J.D. ’93)

School of Law

Dr. Amy Hara (B.A. ’93/M.D. ’94)

School of Medicine

Donna Young (BHS ’14)

School of Nursing and Health Studies

Dr. Erica Mahn (Pharm.D. ’12)

School of Pharmacy

Nidhi Hegde, (M.S. ’98, Ph.D. ’00)

School of Science and Engineering