While the May commencement ceremony was virtual, the spirit was real. The city skyline including Union Station, Kauffman Performing Center for the Arts, Marriott Hotel and City Hall were illuminated in blue and gold to celebrate the #Classof2020RooStrong. Photo by Brandon Parigo
If pictures could tell the tale of a year unlike any of us could ever fathom, these images by UMKC photographers definitely do.
2020 began full of promise and possibilities, starting with a significant Roo season on the basketball courts. And then the pandemic changed everything for all of us.
These photos show that even though we are masked and socially distanced, we are adapting, learning and moving forward on campus and in our community. See our story.
2020 Vision
Mujahid Abdulrahim, a professor in the School of Computing and Engineering, flies his plane toward downtown Kansas City. The school's faculty includes several pilots, and the school features a flight simulator. Photo by Brandon Parigo
Drenched in Victory
UMKC Women's Basketball players celebrated their first ever conference victory by pouring water on their coach, Jacie Hoyt. As a Divison I team, this win meant an automatic seat in the NCAA tournament, which was later cancelled due to COVID-19. Photo by Brandon Parigo
Communications Classroom Discussion: Coronavirus
In the last day of in-person classes in March, Steve Kraske talks to his journalism students about COVID-19. The whiteboard behind the associate teaching professor says 'corona.' Photo by Brandon Parigo
Celebrating Commencement in a New Way
In May, Kansas City celebrated its university's graduates with blue fountains and illuminated buildings. This Country Club Plaza tower was lit in Roo blue and gold as was Durwood Stadium ion campus in the background. Photo by Brandon Parigo
Masked Move-In With Temperature Checks
Move-in days for fall semester meant making appointments, limiting movers, wearing masks and taking temperature checks. Photo by Brandon Parigo
First Day of Class on the Volker Campus
Yes, classrooms were larger and furniture was sparser and spread apart during fall semester to promote social distancing. Photo by John Carmody
Getting Catty on the Health Sciences Campus
There was a little levity in the form of feline wall art during the first week of classes on the Health Sciences Campus. Photo by John Carmody
An Adaptation
UMKC Conservatory dance classes included physical distancing and instruction via Zoom. Photo by Brandon Parigo
Chilling on Campus
Masks and social distancing aren't going to stop students from connecting with each other and enjoying the UMKC campus. Photo by Brandon Parigo
A Practice in Perseverence
Women's Basketball Coach Jacie Hoyt, center, leads the Roos in the 2020-21 season. Photo by Brandon Parigo
Hope on the Horizon
This sunset view of the UMKC quad on campus showcases the city skyline in the distance. The final days of 2020 include the promise of a COVID-19 vaccine on the way. Photo by Brandon Parigo
