Campus celebrates UMKC

By: Jessie Burche

Posted: 9/24/07

Flags, daisies and song highlighted the Celebrate UMKC Convocation Sept. 20.

The Convocation took place in White Recital Hall at the Performing Arts Center.

Interim Provost Betty Drees, Chancellor Guy Bailey and Alumnus Dr. Catherine Spong celebrated UMKC through speech.

Bailey gave the State of the University speech.

"I've come to understand how this university … is successful as it is," Bailey said. "If you think about what we've been through over the last decade … you have taken severe budget cuts since 2001 … and together with the administrative turnover and yet in spite of all of that the state of this institution, I think, is quite good."

Bailey also discussed how UMKC is improving.

"The signs of progress in this institution are really all around us," Bailey said.

He explained slides shown on a giant screen above him. According to Bailey, some of the signs of progress on the campus are the new housing going up on Oak street, the new Health Sciences Building, the Miller Nichols Library expansion and the Cherry street replacement housing.

Bailey pointed out the ideas the university is generating in terms of research and development.

Drees introduced Spong, the event's keynote speaker.

"A very wise person told me, he said the way you can judge a university is by the quality of its products," Drees said. "I think Dr. Spong is a wonderful example of our product."

Spong, chief of the pregnancy and perinatology branch and at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), spoke for 10 minutes about how UMKC allowed her to achieve her career goals.

"What is it about UMKC that is different?," Spong asked. "It is the depth of the programs that make its strength."

Spong praised the large curriculum which allowed her to get a Bachelor of Arts in biology and chemistry as well as her degree from the School of Medicine while studying piano in the Conservatory of Music and Dance.

The School of Medicine gave Spong a strong foundation for her career.

"The bond developed with community physicians … provided excellent mentoring," Spong said.

She left the students in attendance with advice and encouragement.

"I encourage you to engage the community," Spong said. "I am thoroughly confident that you will find the foundation you need to pursue your dreams."

The audience watched a film titled "UMKC is the Place." The film included appearances by Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders and Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser.

Funkhouser said businesses come to cities based on the quality of the city's university. The event was surrounded by singing. Richard Gibson, vocal performance major in the Conservatory, sang the National Anthem at the beginning of Convocation. The Men of the Conservatory Concert Choir sang the Alma Mater at the end of the event.

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