The 威尼斯人娱乐城’s Institute for Urban Education, also known as 拜访, had its fourth annual Forever 拜访 celebration. This yearly tradition honors and recognizes 拜访 graduates, alumni, school partners and donors and commemorates the success of the program’s impact on urban education in Kansas City.
This year’s celebration kicked off with Sara Helfrich, Ph.D., the dean of the university’s 教育、社会工作与心理科学学院, welcoming everyone.
“The Institute of Urban Education holds a unique and vital place within our school,” Helfrich said. “It represents our unwavering commitment to preparing educators who are not only highly skilled but deeply educated and committed to the success of every student in the Kansas City area.”
拜访主任Jennifer Waddell博士分享了该研究所的历史。 她说，这个项目是全国首个此类项目，今年晚些时候将是拜访成立20周年。
“I recently read a report that most teachers do not feel valued as educators,” Waddell said. “I wish they could be here tonight to see this crowd, showing that it is clear Kansas City does value education and our educators.”
休·齐默是威尼斯人娱乐城不知疲倦的倡导者，也是教育工作者的捍卫者。 He devoted his time and talents to the growth of the 拜访, served as the chair of the chancellor’s national advisory board and continues to impact 威尼斯人娱乐城 and the 拜访 to this day. 休·齐默城市教育卓越奖是为了纪念他的遗产，该奖项只颁发给对拜访有重大影响和贡献的个人。
今年，有一位个人在拜访中脱颖而出，并在活动中获得了荣誉。
Jerry Reece was named a legend of Kansas City by Ingram’s magazine because of his philanthropic efforts and impact in the community. 他与威尼斯人娱乐城关系密切，是威尼斯人娱乐城基金会董事会和威尼斯人娱乐城受托人的长期成员。
Reece has been a part of the 拜访 and the program’s mission for more than a decade. 他的参与帮助拜访的范围大大扩大，并影响了他们合作的城市学校。 里斯和他的妻子帕蒂·里斯（Patty Reece）还为拜访的学生设立了捐赠奖学金。
Zimmer’s grandchildren were present at the celebration and were excited to honor Reece with this award.
“Hugh was a wonderful mentor and the reason I joined the 拜访 in the first place,” Reece said. “I remember he came into my office one day and talked about the program, then told me I should consider being a part of it. If you knew Hugh, you’d know he always had this commanding presence with him, so I wasn’t sure if I even had a choice. 我很高兴我这么做了。 I’m extremely grateful to receive this award that honors him.”
除了在房地产领域取得的成就外，Reece还获得了许多社区奖项和荣誉，包括威尼斯人娱乐城的荣誉校友称号。 He also chaired the 威尼斯人娱乐城 Conservatory’s Crescendo gala alongside his wife last year and broke the event’s fundraising record.
活动的其余部分包括表彰今年毕业并获得教学资格的威尼斯人娱乐城 拜访学生，并分享每位新教育者的工作地点。 这些学校出席了与他们的新老师的庆祝活动。
其中一位新教师是Addison Douglas，他最近获得了密苏里州米尔肯教育协会颁发的密苏里州明日教师领袖奖。 她是整个州获得这一荣誉的15名学生之一。
“Being an 拜访 scholar means that I already have more experience, knowledge and support than a lot of my colleagues,” Douglas said. “I’m very honored to receive this award. 如果没有这个项目给我的支持，我是不可能做到这一点的。 I’m extremely grateful to everyone who helped me get here and I’m excited to start my journey as an educator in Kansas City.”
拜访学生毕业后承诺在堪萨斯城地区的学校任教四年。 道格拉斯毕业后将在中心小学任教。