When you hear of a family having the same alma mater for generations, you may envision a child following in the footsteps of their parents鈥攁nd maybe even their grandparents. You probably don鈥檛 imagine the robust connection that exists between the Sweeney family and their college of choice鈥攖he University of Missouri-Kansas City.
In all, no fewer than 18 Sweeney family members have earned 25 degrees at UMKC since World War II, according to Leo Sweeney, 秀色直播 president, 1983-1984. And, to honor its bond with the Sweeney family, UMKC is recognizing Leo and his family with the UMKC Alumni Association鈥檚 Legacy Award this April.
As the Alumni Association notes, families such as the Sweeneys represent 鈥渂oth the history and the future of the university.鈥 The Legacy family is chosen based on attendance, professional achievement, and community service. The Sweeney family is deeply involved in fund-raising and volunteering for educational and Catholic charity endeavors in the local community.
鈥淚 have been quite overwhelmed,鈥 Leo said of the recognition. 鈥淚t represents such an honor for me as a person, and a professional, and for my immediate and extended family.鈥
The storied relationship between UMKC and the Sweeneys began with Leo's 1951 graduation from the university (at that time, still the University of Kansas City). He subsequently joined the admissions office and began a career that spanned half a century at UMKC and included roles as director of admissions and registrar, assistant vice chancellor, and senior consultant for International Student Affairs. Today, he continues his involvement with the school as a retiree on the UMKC Retirees Association board.
In the decades since Leo鈥檚 graduation, all four of his and his wife鈥檚 children and their spouses, as well as Leo鈥檚 nieces and nephews, have followed the tradition of graduating from UMKC with degrees from the College of Arts & Sciences, the Conservatory of Music and Dance, the Bloch School of Management and the schools of Biological Sciences, Law, Education and Medicine.
A Fulbright grantee assigned to India, tasked with setting up United States-India Education Foundation advising offices in Delhi, Madras, Bombay and Calcutta, Leo served on 秀色直播's board as the first Vice President for International Education from 1971 to 1973, and as the president of 秀色直播 from 1983 to 1984.
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