Stories & News
Alumni Foundation Unveils New Giving Societies
Decades before the UCM Alumni Foundation was even a thought, alumni and friends shared their financial resources to help advance the University of Central Missouri. It all started when the campus’ original 16 acres were donated by a local citizen in 1871. Today, the generosity of our community allows the University to deliver high quality, affordable higher education by creating new scholarships, increasing faculty support, funding cutting-edge facilities and innovative programs.
The UCM Alumni Foundation honors generous donors and their commitment to the institution through recognition in annual giving societies. Learn more about these new societies.
Making a Difference: Scholarship Support
With shrinking state funding in higher education, it's now more important than ever to support UCM students.
Read about how your support enables them to reach their potential through access to an affordable education. READ MORE
Baseball Fundraising Event a Success
THE 2nd Annual First Pitch Banquet Hits a Home Run!
Over 400 people came out in support of Mules Baseball at the 2018 First Pitch Banquet. Highlights of the event include keynote speaker, Jim Crane, UCM alumnus and owner of the 2017 World Series team, the Houston Astros. READ MORE
THE "Best of the Best"
The ucm alumni foundation honors 2017 Distinguished alumni award Recipients
Their stories are incredibly inspiring with one significant detail in common...they all graduated from the University of Central Missouri. During our recent Homecoming festivities, the UCM Alumni Foundation honored the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients with a recognition dinner. READ MORE ABOUT THE 2017 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
CREATING MULE NATION OPPORTUNITIES
THE STORY OF COURTNEY AND PATRICK NUSSBECK
It just seemed like a perfect fit to give back to the program that gave us our education,” said alumni couple, Courtney and Patrick Nussbeck. The "perfect fit" includes employing 38 UCM students this summer as interns at their company, Aspen Contracting. READ MORE
The Power of Performance
How Alumnus Erich Mueller is Paying it Forward to a "Rebel Spirit."
Decades separate Grant Lesher and Erich Mueller, but the two share a common bond: UCM. Plus Lesher, a current student, is receiving a scholarship that Mueller funded through a gift to the UCM Alumni Foundation. READ MORE
The Story of Jake Emig and Sully
ALUMNUS Jake Emig and his Recently retired partner are officers in the Kansas City Mounted Police, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2016.
“I get to do exactly what I loved as a kid,” says Jake Emig, a 2006 University of Central Missouri alumnus and member of the Kansas City Mounted Patrol. READ MORE
Born to make a difference...
ALUMNA YOLANDA CARGILE HAS MADE HER LIFE'S WORK POSITIVELY IMPACTING THE LIVES OF FUTURE GENERATIONS
As she envisions her upcoming role as Superintendent in the Hickman Mills C-1 School District, Yolanda Cargile, Ed.D, reflects how her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Missouri in social work positioned her to be well-equipped for the role. “My degree [in social work] has always impacted me,” says Dr. Cargile. “It made me a better teacher, a better principal and better director of student services—it’s the framework that’s helped me throughout my entire professional life.” READ MORE
Q & A WITH THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
AN UPDATE FROM DR. CHUCK AMBROSE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE STATE BUDGET ON UCM
(Posted March 7, 2017)
A financial crisis with the state of Missouri budget caused by a significant drop in expected state revenue will impact state-supported colleges and universities throughout the remainder of Fiscal Year 2017 and in Fiscal Year 2018. To ensure alumni are in the loop, University of Central Missouri President Chuck Ambrose responded to a Q&A session. READ MORE
UCM Alumni Foundation Approves $1.4 Million to Support Student Success
BOARD APPROVES 7.81-PERCENT INCREASE FROM ENDOWMENT FOR FY18
For the sixth consecutive year, the University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation has increased the payout from its endowments in support of students and academic programs. The Board of Directors authorized a payout of $1.4 million for fiscal year 2018, which is a 7.81-percent increase from FY17 and nearly triple the payout since FY12. READ MORE
Meet Alumnus Richard Phillips
HOW HIS ROOTS HAVE LED HIM TO EMPOWERING DREAMS AT UCM...
He remembers the stories his mother told him about teaching in a one-room schoolhouse and credits her for his decision to go to college. Yet his focus when he came to Warrensburg... READ MORE
MEET UCM ALUMNUS ADRIAN ANDREWS
2016 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENT
Adrian Andrews has lived on high alert during his 28 years with the U.S. Secret Service, leading federal and state undercover stings and providing protection detail for presidents, vice presidents and foreign dignitaries. He was honored by the UCM Alumni Foundation in October as a 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. READ MORE
MEET UCM ALUMNUS Rick Mustion
2016 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENT
Rick Mustion’s extraordinary professionalism, competence, commitment and character are credited with his military achievement becoming a major general. The two-star designation is the highest permanent rank given during peacetime in the uniformed services, requiring final approval by both the Senate and President. He was honored by the UCM Alumni Foundation in October as a 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. READ MORE
MEET UCM ALUMNUS Dan Power
2016 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENt for service
Dan Power has succeeded in three career paths – education, real estate and finance – and along the way, has helped every community where he and his wife, alumna Shirley Barr, lived and raised their family. He was honored by the UCM Alumni Foundation in October as a 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient for Service. READ MORE