The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management has named Ashley Knight a 2009 Honor Award recipient, one of 10 graduating seniors commended for both academic achievements and participation in programs outside the classroom.

A scholarship recipient and former president of Students Take Action, Knight graduates with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. She will do postdoctoral work at the VA Hospital in Denver, in preparation for general dentistry and continuing her volunteer treatment of medically compromised and underserved patients.

The honor award program was established in 1975 to recognize graduating seniors who excelled in academic achievement, involvement in university programs and service to the campus and surrounding community. With a grant from the American Dental Association, Knight co-founded Tots-N-Teeth, an organization providing free dental health screenings for children ages one to three. In recognition for this and other volunteer contributions – including Kansas City Free Health Clinic, medical mission trip to Guatemala, Shear Madness, Team Smile with the Kansas City Chiefs and Youth Friends – Knight was given the President’s Volunteer Service Award for 2008. President Bush came to Kansas City to present the award to Knight in person.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a three-part mission: visual and performing arts, health sciences, and urban engagement.