KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) and the UMKC Foundation today announced the official launch of “The Campaign for UMKC” – the public stage of a seven-year, $250 million capital campaign.
The campaign will help UMKC empower students to achieve by providing additional need- and merit-based scholarships; attract and retain outstanding faculty by offering competitive endowed faculty positions; develop and expand our world-class programs, including the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Urban Education Research Center; and create facilities that foster learning in our students, such as the Center for Translational Research in Urban Health, the Law Advocacy Center and the chemistry labs.
“In a city that is first-rate, UMKC must be the academic cornerstone,” said UMKC Chancellor Leo E. Morton. “Campaign funds will help with the ongoing transformation of UMKC and further the measures in our strategic plan.”
Retired H&R Block Chairman Henry Bloch will serve as the Honorary Chair of the Steering Committee, with Thomas and Vina Hyde and Robert and Ann Regnier serving as co-chairs.
“Ann and I – along with Tom and Vina – are honored to serve as co-chairs of “The Campaign for UMKC” and to be a part of the transformation that’s taking place at this university,” said Bob Regnier, President and CEO, Bank of Blue Valley.
At a dinner last night, there were several new gifts announced:
Bill and Irma Lou Hirsch provided $100,000 for a scholarship to support four students per year in the UMKC School of Nursing’s online RN-BSN program.
Dr. Marjorie Sirridge made a gift of $125,000 to advance and sustain the contributions that the Sirridge Office of Medical Humanities and Bioethics makes to the medical education of UMKC physicians.
Dr. Linda Hood Talbott has pledged $250,000 in current and planned gifts to establish the Linda H. and Thomas H. Talbott Scholarship and Leadership Award to assist outstanding student leaders in the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, they support the Conservatory of Music and Dance, the Bloch School of Management, the School of Education, the UMKC Department of Theatre and the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.
In addition, Tom and Vina Hyde announced a gift of $6 million to support the Chancellor’s Fund for Excellence.
“Vina and I are happy to provide funds for the Chancellor to use for projects that are compelling to him,” said Tom Hyde. “We are excited to serve on this important campaign for a university that we have cared about for so many years.”
These gifts take the total fundraising to date to $100,030,984.
About the UMKC Foundation
The UMKC Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization serving as the official fundraising and fundraising management organization for UMKC. For more information about the UMKC Foundation, visit umkcfoundation.org.
About UMKC
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.