‘Bring Out the Best in Each Other’

Photo by Janet Rogers, Division of Strategic Marketing and Communications

More than 2,000 degrees conferred at 2016 Commencement

University of Missouri-Kansas City officials conferred bachelor’s and graduate degrees upon more than 2,000 people at commencement exercises over the weekend.

The university conducted 12 ceremonies spread over four days – one for each academic unit except the largest, the College of Arts and Sciences, which required two ceremonies to accommodate all graduates. Commencement speakers urged the graduates to hold true to their ideals and beliefs, bring out the best in each other, weather life’s inevitable storms and make a difference in the world.

Commencement speakers included Cheptoo Kositany-Buckner, executive director of the American Jazz Museum (Conservatory of Music and Dance); alumna Karen L. Daniel, chief financial officer of Black & Veatch (Henry W. Bloch School of Management); alumna Kimberly Robinett, managing partner of TREKK Design Group, a women-owned Kansas City engineering firm (School of Computing and Engineering); alumnus, writer, editor and critic Steve Paul, retired editorial page editor of The Kansas City Star (College of Arts and Sciences); and Obie Austin, vice president of general medicine at Kansas City CARE Clinic (School of Nursing and Health Studies). Other distinguished alumni who spoke at ceremonies included Jerry L. Bauman, dean of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, (School of Pharmacy); and Rodney Watson, superintendent of the Spring Independent School District in Texas, (School of Education). Speakers also included Ella-Mai McBorrough Wright, director, clinical project management, cardiovascular and metabolic leadership, Quintiles, (School of Biological Sciences); and Marsha Pyle, dean of the School of Dentistry.

Alumnus Jason Wright, division chief, gynecologic oncology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, is scheduled to speak at the School of Medicine commencement ceremony May 23.

Kositany-Buckner, a native of Kenya, told the Conservatory graduates of the importance – and inseparability – of music and dance in African culture. She said music and dance are not considered separate concepts, and in most African languages, the same word is used for both.

“It is a form of communication. It is its own language,” she said, and is an integral part of both milestone rituals such as births, marriages and funerals; and everyday activities ranging from hunting to politics.

“Even when Africans were enslaved and taken to lands unknown … they never lost the language of music and dance. It remained a part of their soul,” she said. And that led, inexorably, to the uniquely American art form of jazz, which she helps preserve as executive director of the American Jazz Museum.

As they pursue their artistic careers, she urged the graduates to keep their language of art and music a living thing, “and most importantly, an honest reflection of who you are and what you believe in.”

Robinett, managing partner of a woman-owned engineering firm, told the computing and engineering graduates that she is anything but a “typical” engineer – and that is a strength and an advantage.

“Growing up, I was a girly girl,” more interested in dance and drill team than in examining how things worked. “When I heard the word ‘engineer,’ I thought of Dilbert (a comic strip character).”

Robinett started out studying psychology, but a counselor urged her to explore other options. She ended up an engineer.

“Each of us brings our own unique talents and our own unique strengths to whatever work we do.” Diversity makes any organization stronger, she said.

“Surround yourself with good people who bring out the best in you, who promote your strengths and minimize your weaknesses,” she said. “I didn’t get here alone, and you won’t either.”

UMKC Chancellor Leo E. Morton and Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer also spoke at several ceremonies.

“UMKC has always been a source of pride for this community, and not just for the beautiful campus, and the outstanding faculty. The contributions and accomplishments of our alumni, more than 100,000 strong, are a civic asset that Kansas City counts on,” Morton said. “Most of our 50 states, and more than 70 foreign nations, are represented among your ranks. And many of you will pursue careers, and dreams, that will take you across the globe. Still, a full 50 percent of our alumni live and work in Kansas City after graduation. And whether you live and work in Kansas City, or California, or Kyoto, Kansas City and UMKC will always be a part of you.”


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