Terry and Peggy Dunn to receive Chancellor’s Medal

Terry and Peggy Dunn have given much to UMKC as individuals and as a couple. At the Alumni Awards luncheon on April 23, Chancellor Leo E. Morton will present them with the 2015 Chancellor’s Medal, UMKC’s top honor for volunteerism.

As alumni, the Dunns have served in countless ways, chairing the university’s capital campaign that surpassed its $200 million goal and funding a special 80-seat tiered classroom for graduate and executive education offered by the Bloch School of Management.

Terry Dunn (M.B.A. ’73) had a 41-year career at JE Dunn Construction. Under his leadership, JE Dunn was consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top contractors. He recently stepped down as President and CEO to serve as Chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

Peggy Dunn (B.S. ‘72) graduated with a degree in Sociology and worked as a probation officer and a piano teacher. She won a seat on the Leawood, Kan. City Council and in 1997 was elected mayor, a position she still holds.

The Dunns have received numerous awards from their respective schools, and have taken active roles with the Entrepreneur of the Year Advisory Board, the Friends of the Conservatory Advisory Board, UMKC Trustees and the university’s 80th anniversary in 2013-14. Currently, Peggy Dunn serves as a Senior Fellow for the Bloch School’s Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership; and Terry Dunn is a member of the UMKC Foundation.

For their significant impact in the community and service to the region’s civic and nonprofit organizations, the Dunns were given the Marion and John Kreamer Award for Social Entrepreneurship in 2010 at the UMKC Bloch School Entrepreneur of the Year awards.

“Terry and Peggy have been stalwart advocates for UMKC over the decades,” said Chancellor Morton. “It’s hard to find an area of campus life that hasn’t benefitted from their involvement. We’re pleased to recognize their countless hours of service and dedication to this university.”