The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law received the largest philanthropic gift in its history: an endowed estate gift of $3.5 million. The gift from Kent and Judy (J.D. ’63) Whittaker will support student scholarships, law school building maintenance and areas of greatest need.

The Whittaker family, including an alumnus who became a U.S. Supreme Court justice, has been part of the UMKC School of Law’s story for more than 100 years. The Whittakers’ gift will impact the school for generations to come.

“Kent and Judy Whittaker truly set the standard for excellence as lawyers and leaders in the greater Kansas City community,” said Lumen Mulligan, dean of the UMKC School of Law. “It is exceptionally fitting, then, that their gift sets the standard for philanthropy here at UMKC Law. Their generosity will empower UMKC Law’s success in perpetuity.”

Kent met Judy while he was a law student at the University of Michigan. After he graduated, they moved to Kansas City. Kent got a job, and Judy continued her law school journey at the UMKC School of Law. She graduated as valedictorian of her class.

They both had long, successful careers as attorneys in Kansas City. Kent’s career was in private practice, including more than 40 years with Hillix Brewer and its successors. Judy spent several years at a small firm, Sheffrey, Ryder & Skeer, before joining the growing legal team at Hallmark. Judy spent 30 years with Hallmark, and she worked on many projects that led the company to what it is today, including leasing within the newly built Crown Center, the acquisition of Crayola, purchase of the Spanish International Network (now Univision) television station, numerous patents and more.

Kent and Judy’s career success led them to pay it forward. Judy passed away in April 2024, and Kent has continued their legacy of giving.

“We were both fantastically lucky in our jobs and loved being attorneys,” Kent said. “We decided halfway through our working years that if we were able, we wanted to dedicate part of our estate to making a difference in the community. We want to help reduce human suffering and support education, and that’s what we’re doing with this gift.”

Supporting education just made sense to Kent and Judy, who loved their careers and the law. The legal field, and UMKC School of Law, shaped Kent Whittaker’s life.

The Whittaker family’s history with the law school goes back more than a century. Kent’s father, Charles Whittaker, graduated from the Kansas City School of Law — now the UMKC School of Law — in 1924. Charles was a Supreme Court justice; he was nominated by President Eisenhower and served from 1957 to 1962. He loved his work, especially as a lawyer, and his passion made an impression on Kent.

“When you have someone sitting across the table from you and they hire you to solve their problem, it makes a world of difference,” Kent said. “You’re responsible for something. I took that seriously, and it made me. This profession made my life, and I wanted to say thanks.”