Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association and the campus honor alumni from each school, along with five overall campus award winners, for their accomplishments. For a complete listing of recipients, visit www.umkcalumni.com and mark your calendars for the Awards luncheon on April 27, 2011.
From the College of Arts & Sciences, Durwin Rice was selected! Rice is a nationally known decoupage artist whose works have included special commissions from the New York Public Library, Pierpont Morgan Library and Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.
He is the founder and executive director of the Tulips on Troost project, which has attracted regional and national attention for efforts to beautify Troost Avenue in Kansas City.
Celina Tio, owner and chef at JULIAN in Brookside, will be on the next Iron Chef premiering on October 3rd. According to FoodNetwork.com, "Celina became known during the past seven years heading the kitchen at Kansas City's renowned American Restaurant. There she garnered local and national accolades, including 2005 "Chef of the Year" by Chef magazine and the James Beard Foundation's 2007 "Best Chef: Midwest."
She now has her own restaurant in Brookside and enjoys creating "feel good food." Don't miss seeing Ms. Tio in action!