University of Missouri-Kansas City honors outstanding alumni

University of Missouri-Kansas City has named its outstanding alumni for 2009-10. UMKC’s Alumni Association will highlight the recipients’ stories and accomplishments through speeches, video presentations and classroom visits.

Specialty Awards

• Douglas Enderle, Alumnus of the Year, M.F.A. ’81 – A senior costume designer for Walt Disney Entertainment, Enderle’s displays are showcased at Disney properties around the world and in Disney television productions.

• Cameron Lindsey, Bill French Alumni Service Award, Pharm.D. ’98 – The Jackson County Free Health Clinic benefits from Lindsey’s time and talents, as she treats between 50 and 85 patients each week.

• Rita Blitt, Spotlight Award, B.A. ’52 – Although her predominant medium is dynamic, often outsized sculpture, Blitt urges artists to “dance on paper” and express their creative forces through united disciplines. She uses film, painting, music and dance to produce art pieces. 

•Paul Levy, Defying the Odds Award, B.A. ’71 – Levy, founder of the Whole Person – the Coalition for Independence and the Universal Housing Project – has transformed his struggle with multiple sclerosis into a victory for challenged individuals.

• The Cleveland Family, Legacy Award – National leaders in the field of chiropractic care, three generations of the Cleveland family have attended UMKC: Carl S. Cleveland Jr. briefly attended the University of Kansas City in the 1940s before establishing the Cleveland Chiropractic College; his wife, “Dr. Millie,” a former UMKC student; Carl S. Cleveland III, B.S. in biology, 1970, and past UMKC instructor; Elizabeth Cleveland, wife of Carl S. Cleveland III, M.S.W., 2004; son Carl S. Cleveland IV, attended School of Biological Sciences; daughter Ashley Cleveland, M.A., Sociology, 1998, UMKC guest lecturer; daughter Alexandra S. Cleveland, M.S.W., 2004.

Alumni Achievement Awardees

• Janet Vaughan, College of Arts & Sciences, M.A. ’81 – Vaughan is senior director of membership services for the American Association of Museums.

• Dianne Beatty, School of Biological Sciences, B.S. ’87, Ph.D. ’94 – As director of Beckloff Associates, Beatty develops products promoting healing and pain relief for cancer patients, those with infectious diseases, psychiatric and rheumatoid problems.

• Lt. Col. Brian D. Birdwell, Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration, M.P.A. ’96 – The terrorist attack on the Pentagon left Birdwell covered with burns. Out of that came Face the Fire Ministries to help burn victims, wounded service personnel and their families. 

• Harold Sprague, School of Computing and Engineering, B.S.C.E. ’80 – Sprague designs structures created to withstand blasts or seismic shocks. His work resulted in Sprague’s inclusion as “Outstanding Scientist of the 20th Century.”

• James Jordan, Conservatory of Music and Dance, B.F.A. ’00 – Jordan choreographed and taught new works to the Conservatory of Music and Dance students and helped create a dance reunion. Jordan is ballet master for the Kansas City Ballet.

• Ray Storm, School of Dentistry, D.D.S. ’78 – A general practitioner since graduation, Storm founded Give Kids A Smile in 1994. It is now the primary outreach arm of the American Dental Association and is the largest dental outreach in the United States.

• Caren Barnes, School of Dentistry, Division of Dental Hygiene, M.S. ’74 – Barnes, professor and researcher at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, consults and develops dental products and procedures. Her journal and textbook writing appear in the most authoritative dental care and hygiene publications.

• Paul Rutherford, School of Education, Ph.D. ’99 –Rutherford founded and taught in the Summit Technology Academy. The National Science Foundation awarded him the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.

• Robert Larsen, School of Law, J.D. ’73 – Judge Larsen’s public service career spans his entire professional career, including working in the U.S. Attorney’s office and serving on the federal magistrate bench.

• Marianna Martin Sockrider, School of Medicine, M.D. ’83 – Sockrider is a recognized leader in the prevention, care and management of chronic pediatric asthma and other pulmonary disorders.

• Lois Hopson, School of Nursing, B.A. ’74, B.S.N. ’83, M.S.N. ’98 – She is deeply involved with nursing alumni programs, including the multicultural committee and the alumni association board.

• Benjamin Bluml, School of Pharmacy, B.S.P. ’84 – As vice president for research of the American Pharmacists Association Foundation, Bluml is involved in the study and treatment of osteoporosis, depression and diabetes. His development of new technology for diabetic self-management earned him a place on a White House roundtable.

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