The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management has selected 10 graduating seniors as 2009 Honor Award recipients. They are Michael Amini, Jared Bayne, Janita Butler, Sean Doran, Layna Dugan, Bridgett Johnson, Ashley Knight, Kenisha Moore, Ryan Sullivan and Allyson Walker. The students were commended for both scholarship and participation in programs outside the classroom.
Sullivan received a degree from the Conservatory of Music and Dance, and has been hired by Lee’s Summit High School as Associate Choral Director.
Dugan, Johnson, Moore and Walker received Bachelor of Arts degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences. Dugan plans to work in advertising or public relations and continue her volunteer work. Johnson and Moore are applying to law schools, and Walker has been admitted to the University of Missouri-Columbia law program.
Bayne, from the School of Computing and Engineering, begins his Navy training in July for the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate program. A School of Education graduate, Butler will teach in Kansas City, Mo., and study for a Master’s degree.
Amini, School of Medicine, will take his residency at the University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, and Knight, School of Dentistry, will do postdoctoral work at the VA Hospital in Denver. Doran received a degree from the School of Biological Sciences and will work as an endoscopy technician while applying for medical school.
The Student Affairs Honors program was established in 1975 to recognize seniors who excelled in academic achievement, involvement in university programs and service to the campus and surrounding community.
The recognized students volunteered for a variety of local agencies such as Harvesters, Operation Breakthrough, Bridging the Gap, Relay for Life, Shear Madness and Sojourner – a free weekly clinic in downtown Kansas City. Knight was honored by President George W. Bush in 2008 for the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Several students received multiple academic awards and recognition from groups including the Sue Shear Institute, NAACP, the Ronald McDonald House/Jumpstart, Make A Wish Foundation and the Commission on Black Studies.
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.