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 5, 2024.

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.

Click on the awardees below to learn more about their contributions and achievements.

UNIVERSITY-WIDE AWARDS

Rhiannon Ally (B.A. ’05)

Alumna of the Year

Suzanne Shank (J.D./M.P.A. ’82)

The Bill French Alumni Service Award

Henry W. Wash (B.A., M.P.A. ’06)

Defying the Odds Award

Carmaletta Williams, Ph.D. (B.A. ’84, M.A. ’87)

Spotlight Award

LEGACY FAMILY AWARD

Selfless leaders, pioneering entrepreneurs and community advocates who share a commitment to public service, the Tedrow Selders Hogerty Family legacy represents four generations of UMKC alumni. From philosophy to law and communications to business, family members graduated from programs across the university and went on to become leaders in their fields. Family members who attended UMKC include Joseph H. Tedrow (J.D. 1922), Loyd O. Selders (B.A. ’39), David V. Selders (attended — WWII interrupted his education), Eugene L. (Pat) Selders, Jr. (B.A. ’72), Martha Selders Hogerty (B.A. ’75, J.D. ’79), Dianne (Selders) Hogerty (B.A. ’78), Joan Landry (Tedrow) Gilson (M.A. ’83, Ph.D., ’94), Mary Hogerty Needham (B.A. ’88), David Michael Hogerty (B.A., ’89), Megan (Perkins) Schiesl (B.B.A. ’89), Kelly (Hogerty) Perkins (M.A. ’60) and Beth (Hogerty) Smith (B.L.A. ’90).