2024 UMKC Alumni Awards
UMKC School of Law alumni received three UMKC alumni awards
UMKC Bill French Alumni Service Award
Suzanne Shank (J.D./MPA ’82)
Suzanne Shank (J.D./MPA ’82) has demonstrated exceptional loyalty, commitment and outstanding service to UMKC in a variety of ways. Suzanne is a current member of the UMKC Board of Trustees. She has served as a trustee and on its Trustees’ Scholars Committee for many years, where she has been a thought leader and Trustee Scholar Mentor. She also serves on the Next Generation Trustees’ Scholars Working Group, which is examining and making enhancements to the program to make it more competitive with other scholarships, to meet the growing demands of future scholars, and to provide curated experiences and opportunities to prepare students for success in a global economy.
She is a committed supporter of the UMKC Conservatory. She has served on the Friends of the Conservatory Board for many years, where she has also been president; and she has remained a stalwart of Crescendo, having chaired this premier event. Suzanne has also volunteered to serve on at least one advisory committee for dean selection for the Conservatory.
In addition to generously dedicating her time to UMKC, she is a proud financial supporter of UMKC. Suzanne and her late husband have funded a student scholarship at the Conservatory, named the Suzanne Shank and Marty Smoler Scholarship. They also funded a Trustee Scholar, and Suzanne has personally recruited others to do the same. Importantly, Suzanne was a major contributor and was instrumental in raising more than $1 million for student scholarships when she was Crescendo chair.
Suzanne’s impact on the Kansas City community goes well beyond her support of UMKC. She has actively participated in numerous nonprofit associations, showcasing her commitment to philanthropy and community development. Her leadership roles in local organizations such as the KC Ballet, the Symphony League and the Lyric Opera have contributed significantly to the cultural and artistic fabric of Kansas City.
Legacy Award
Tedrow/Selders/Hogerty Family
The Tedrow/Selders/Hogerty Family's legacy at UMKC dates back generations. Joseph Herbert Tedrow graduated from the Kansas City School of Law in 1922.
His granddaughter, Martha Hogerty, earned her B.A. from UMKC in 1975 and her J.D. in 1979. Her brother, Eugene L. (Pat) Selders Jr., also attended UMKC and earned his B.A. in communications in 1972.
Martha’s daughter Mary Needham earned her B.A. from UMKC in 1988. Mary worked at the UMKC Foundation as the director of development for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Like Martha, her cousin, Professor Joan (Tedrow) Gilson (M.A. ’83, Ph.D. ’94) is a two-time alumna of UMKC.
Other family members include: Loyd O. Selders (B.A. ’39) and his brother David (who attended the University of Kansas City but did not finish due to WWII); David’s daughter Dianne Selders Hogerty (B.A. ’78) and her son David Hogerty (B.A. ’89).
Law School Alumni Achievement Award
Allison Murdock (B.A. ’83, J.D. ’88)
Allison Murdock (B.A. ’83, J.D. ’88) serves as managing partner of Stinson LLP, one of the nation’s 200 largest law firms. She also chairs Stinson's executive committee and board of directors. Allison has served on Stinson's board of directors since 2003. Prior to becoming managing partner in July 2021, Allison served for 11 years as Stinson's deputy managing partner.
Allison was named a 2023 Law Firm Leader Award recipient by Missouri Lawyers Weekly, awarded the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, recognized in 2018 by Corporate Counsel's National Women in Law Honorees for Innovative Leadership, named a 2018 Women's Justice Award recipient by Missouri Lawyers Weekly and, in 2011, named one of Kansas City Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business.
She received her B.A. from UMKC in 1983 and her J.D. from UMKC School of Law in 1988, where she was a member of the UMKC Law Review, research editor for The Urban Lawyer and a member of the National Moot Court Team. She joined Stinson LLP (then Stinson Mag & Fizzell, P.C.) upon graduating law school.