UMKC Law Foundation

DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE UMKC SCHOOL OF LAW,

You’ve had the opportunity to read stories in this edition of Res Ipsa that illustrate the experiences our more seasoned alumni had while in law school as compared to the students graduating today. You've read about an alum who paid for law school by playing saxophone outside of school hours when tuition was closer to $10 per credit hour, while learning that one year of law school costs more than $24,000 in tuition and fees today. That makes it even more important that J.D. graduates from UMKC Law now receive bar preparation support as part of their tuition and fees because bar preparation classes cost each student more than $4,000. Of course, providing bar exam preparation does come at a cost to the law school, and your donations are encouraged to help ensure the long-term success of this program. A donation of $1,000 sponsors the cost of bar preparation support for one student each year.

You’ll see testimonials from alumni who support our law students through philanthropy, and we’ve also included recognition of all alumni and friends who have supported the UMKC Law Foundation and School of Law during the past academic year. Your annual gifts enhance the opportunities for our students and faculty members each year by providing scholarships, program funds, student and faculty awards, and more.

On behalf of the UMKC Law Foundation, thank you so much for your involvement and investments.

Scott Aripoli, J.D. ’07 President, UMKC Law Foundation Board of Trustees

Marie Dispenza, J.D. ’05 Executive Director, UMKC Law Foundation

"I give because of immense gratitude, both personally and professionally. Having my law degree sped up the development of my career, in the beginning, by a decade or more. Equally significant were the friends I gained. My mom had cancer during the second semester of my second year in law school, and I went home for 10 days or so. When I came back, it was those friends who made sure I had what I needed to get through that semester. Professors and staff were as concerned about me as a person as they were about my passing that semester’s classes. The people in my life to this day (outside of my family) whom I trust most came from that time in law school.”

Randall Hallett, J.D. ’97 CEO and Founder at Hallett Philanthropy, LLC

“I give back to UMKC because of all that UMKC has given me. UMKC gave me the opportunity to pursue my law degree in my hometown, to learn from excellent professors, to find a job at an outstanding firm and to meet some of my closest friends. I hope my contributions can give other students the same opportunities.”

Taryn Nash Sherman, J.D. ’17 Board Member, Law Alumni Association

“I was always taught that service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy on this earth. I received help from a wide array of sources that funded my law school education. No one asked me to pay that money back. I’m obligated to pay it forward.”

Judge Jon R. Gray (Ret.), J.D. ’76 Emeritus Trustee, UMKC Law Foundation

“The long-term success of UMKC is vital to the local bar and firms like ours based in Kansas City. A lot of students end up working in the community they graduate from, so having the school here is vital as it’s the only law school in Kansas City. Many students were fortunate to have support from the firms we were going to work for when it came to bar preparation. Not everyone has that support, and it can be a big obstacle. We knew this would be a meaningful way to give back to students that would help them the most.” “Personally, I give back for two primary reasons. I give back in gratitude for the excellent education that I received and the opportunities that it has given me. I also hope that my support will help others have those same great experience and opportunities. But, for whatever reason we each give back, the Kansas City legal community is better for having a strong legal program at UMKC.” Wagstaff & Cartmell, a litigation law firm in Kansas City, made a five-year, $250,000 commitment to the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law’s bar preparation fund. Their gift supports an initiative by the law school to provide a commercial bar preparation program and in-person supplemental course at no additional cost to students. Jack Hyde serves the Law Alumni Association as a board member.”

Jack Hyde (J.D. ’11) Partner, Wagstaff & Cartmell

You Can Leave a Legacy Planned Giving at the UMKC School of Law

A planned gift is one of the most meaningful ways to show your support for the UMKC School of Law. These gifts allow you to leave a legacy, make an impact and, if you choose, be recognized alongside your peers.

Common types of planned gifts

Wills
Living trusts
Beneficiary designation (retirement funds, life insurance, etc.)

Choose your impact

Scholarships
Area of greatest need
Sponsor student bar preparation costs

How you’ll be appreciated

All planned gifts are honored with membership in the President Harry S. Truman Legacy Gift Society at the UMKC School of Law. These special donors receive a personalized, engraved brick in the Truman Terrace at the Law Building, as well as recognition on the School of Law website. Donors may decide to remain anonymous.

To notify us of an intended estate gift or to create your legacy now, contact:

Marie Dispenza (J.D. ’05) Executive Director, UMKC Law Foundation Phone: 816-235-6328 Email: dispenzam@umkcfoundation.org