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 17, 2026.
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
Dr. Amy K. Patel (BLA ’10/M.D. ’11)
Alumna of the Year
Dr. Daniel R. Wildcat (Ph.D. ’06)
Spotlight Award
Jerry (H.A.) and Patty Reece (M.A. ’71)
Bill French Alumni Service Award
Tiffany S.W. Hamilton (BLA ’03, M.A. ’09)
Defying the Odds Award
LEGACY FAMILY AWARD
The Spartan-Haerer Family
Stephen Spartan (B.A. ’70, M.A. ’74, M.A ’76), Karen (Haerer) Spartan (B.A. ’70) Wife of Steve, Joanne (Spartan) Zicarelli (Attended) Sister of Steve, Susan Haerer-Deatherage (B.A. ’79) Sister of Karen, Christina Spartan Seneff (B.A. ’80) Sister of Steve, William Haerer (B.A. ’95) Son of Susan, Vanessa Spartan (B.A. ’06) Daughter of Steve and Karen Spartan, Anastasia Spartan (Attended) Daughter of Steve and Karen Spartan, sibling to Vanessa, Paige Zicarelli (Pharm.D. ’17) Daughter-in-law of Joanne (Spartan) Zicarelli
ACADEMIC ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDEES
Kevin Lewis (MBA ’04)
Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Kameron N. Saunders (BFA)
Conservatory
Jennifer Pieren (M.S. ’11)
School of Dentistry
Dr. Jennifer Collier (Ed.S. ’08, Ed.D. ’18)
School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
Joseph W. McBride (B.A. ’86)
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Puanani Norwood (J.D. ’15)
School of Law
Dr. Steven Miller (B.A. ’82/M.D. ’83)
School of Medicine
Michele Baker (BHS ’18)
School of Nursing and Health Studies
Dr. Tripp Logan (Pharm.D. ’02)
School of Pharmacy
Salil Talauliker (M.S. ’01)
School of Science and Engineering