UMKC Athletics graduated thirty-four student-athletes spanning seven commencement ceremonies on May3-5, 2012 at Swinney Recreation Center. UMKC currently has a school high Graduation Success Rate of 87 percent, besting the national average by five points. UMKC also ranks second in the Summit League, behind only IPFW's 91 percent rate. 

UMKC student-athletes also boast an overall GPA of 3.23 and were first in the Summit League last year.  Additionally, in the fall semester 48 Student-Athletes were awarded Summit League Academic All-League Honors, and 65 Student-Athletes were awarded the status of Scholar-Athlete, each earning a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. 

Furthermore, many student-athletes received University and National honors this spring.  Kaelene Curry, member of the Softball team, was named to the Capital One Academic All-District VI Team for the second season in a row after posting a 3.93 GPA while majoring in psychology.  Aubrey Frederking, member of the Women's Track & Field and Cross Country team, and Megan Ussary, member of the Softball team, were awarded with one of the most prestigious awards given out to graduating seniors at UMKC - the Vice Chancellor's Honor Recipient Award.  This award was presented to the truly unique students who maintain high scholastic performance while actively participating in University and community activities outside the classroom. Dayon Hall-Jones, member of the Women's Basketball team, was named to the 10th Annual Women's Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association Scholar-Athlete Team in which each of the nominees was required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletics credentials.

Ursula Gurney, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Support Services, said, "We are so proud of the hard work and dedication of each of our graduates.  They have all shown growth during their time here at UMKC and we are excited for what the future brings for each of them."  Upon graduation, some student-athletes plan to go onto graduate school and professional programs, while others have joined the work force. 

While reflecting on his time spent at UMKC, D'Arby Parks, member of the Men's Track & Field team, said that it was the faculty that made the biggest difference for him.  Danielle Olive, member of the Women's Track & Field team, echoed Parks' enthusiasm about the faculty and said that the SASSO staff helped her become successful and to reach her goals of graduation. 

Below are the May 2012 Graduates: 

Men's Basketball
Reggie Chamberlain - Liberal Arts BA                                
Dustin Dibble - Accounting BS, Magna Cum Laude
Mike Gholston - Communication Studies BA                                    
Bernard Kamwa - Business Administration BBA

Women's Basketball
Simone Bridges - Communication Studies BA  
Brianna Eldridge - Business Administration BBA                             
LeAndrea Thomas - Sociology BA                                     
Jade Tinner - Business Administration BBA                     

Men's Golf
Jens Harr - Business Administration BBA, Summa Cum Laude                       
Will Robson - Liberal Arts BA                                                              

Women's Golf
Jessie Kosch - Secondary Education BA

Men's Soccer
Coady Andrews - Business Administration BBA                               
Luke Harman - History BA                                                                   
Brandon Nilsson - Business Administration BBA, Cum Laude        
Brian Quintana - Economics BA                                                         
Jimmy Simon - Chemistry BA

Softball
Kaelene Curry - Psychology BA, Summa Cum Laude
Kelly Fischer - Middle School Education BA                  
Megan Ussary - Early Childhood Education BA, Cum Laude                          
Ashley Whiteside - Nursing BSN, Cum Laude                                                   

Women's Tennis
Jillian Yakominich - Criminal Justice and Criminology BA, Cum Laude                                                               

Men's Track and Field
Redell Frazier - Biology BA                                                 
Alex Lopez - Chemistry BA                                                                  
Daniel Mann - Civil Engineering BSCIE, Cum Laude                        
D'arby Parks - Chemistry BA                                                                               
Sam Sullivan - Communication Studies BA                                       

Women's Track and Field
Denise Banda - Liberal Arts BA                                                           
Aubrey Frederking - Nursing BSN, Cum Laude                                                 
Danielle Olive - Liberal Arts BA                                                           
Sa'Kia Taylor - Communication Studies BA                                       

Volleyball
Brittany Fossier - Business Administration BBA, Cum Laude                          
Nicole Kerkman - Political Science BA, Cum Laude                                          
Erin Wellwood - Psychology BA                                                        
Demetria Williams - Communication Studies BA