Spring Break
It is unlikely the former head of the Sprint Nextel Corporation ever imagined he would make a grand entrance into a hall - the band playing, the crowd clapping enthusiastically - while accompanied by a large, furry kangaroo. But University of Missouri System (UM) President Gary Forsee was all smiles as he was officially welcomed to UMKC on Friday afternoon in Pierson Auditorium.
Jesse "Opie" Ross disappeared in November, 2006, while in Chicago with other UMKC students for a model United Nations conference, but his family and friends continue to hope for his safe return. At a benefit concert held on Saturday in Pierson Auditorium to remind everyone the search continues and to raise money for a scholarship in his name, Jesse's parents spoke of the ongoing efforts.
John Allen, director of University Communications, furnished a detailed explanation of February's snow day UMKC Alert! mishap to the UMKC Faculty Senate last Tuesday. Many people on Feb. 6 received messages of the school closing hours after they had already left home.
The university continues its efforts to prove "diversity" is more than just a buzz word. UMKC Division of Diversity, Access and Equity continued its social justice and diversity lecture series with the first annual Cesar Chavez lecture. Students, faculty and staff joined members from the community to listen to keynote speaker Julia Chavez Rodriguez, granddaughter of Cesar Chavez, and program director of the Cesar E.
Every day, girls are inundated with media portrayals of how they should look, act and think. This influence was the subject of the 2008 Starr Symposium, put on by the UMKC Women's Council and Women's Center. Writer, professor and community activist, Lyn Mikel Brown, Ed.
UMKC criminal law professor Sean O'Brien didn't bother using the microphone and podium. He paced back and forth in front of the students gathered in the School of Law's lounge, as he gave an impassioned speech last Friday in favor of a moratorium on the death penalty in Missouri.
Human rights were at the heart of the speech given by Kathleen O'Toole last Wednesday at the UMKC School of Law, as a part of the Joseph Cohen lecture series. "Human rights at the heart of policing, that's what [we're] there for, to protect human rights," O'Toole said.
As part of the "Our Changing Global Environment" lecture series, Jimmy O. Adegoke, an associate professor in the department of geosciences, power-pointed his way through a discussion of the world's climate change. He had an attentive audience last Wednesday in the Plaza conference room at the Administrative Center.
Shouts of "Don't taze me bro!" echoed through the hallways outside the Brookside Room in the Administrative Center last Wednesday. But it was not a police action similar to the famous Florida University incident; it was part of a panel discussion on criminal justice.
After a wild week of Wild, Wild West-themed courtwarming events, all the hours of campaigning paid off for two UMKC students. At the Courtwarming game Saturday, March 2, Spencer Williams and Tara Kloeppel were crowed 2008 king and queen. The week of courtwarming events provided an opportunity to meet many students, Kloeppel said.
Though Leonardo DiCaprio probably won't be playing him in a blockbuster movie anytime soon, Walter Pavlo, Jr. has an interesting story to tell. As part of the Bloch Executive Series, Pavlo spoke in the Linda Hall Library about the $6 million money-laundering scandal that landed him in prison.
Kansas City is known for its barbecue, and one of the Kansas City barbecue greats brought its famous flavor to UMKC. Gate's barbecue could be enjoyed by all who visited the UMKC cafeteria for lunch on Thursday, Feb. 28. George and Arzelia Gates, son and daughter to local business owner Ali Gates, visited the cafeteria to promote the Gates classic flavor as well as lend a hand to the kitchen staff.
Feb. 29 9:48 p.m. Information - Officers investigated a report of drug use at the Oak Street West construction site at 50th and Oak streets. March 2 2:24 p.m. Injury - A student reported injuring her knee while playing basketball in Swinney Recreation Center.
