The Mizzou community gathered to celebrate and say their goodbyes to Dr. Kevin McDonald.
Photos by Ryan Gavin. Posted July 11, 2019.
Dr. Kevin McDonald addresses the crowd at his farewell event on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.McDonald laughs with his daughter, Kayla, as Chancellor Alexander Cartwright enjoys the moment.Kevin McDonald hugs UM System President Mun Choi.The crowd for the farewell fills the first floor of Jesse Hall’s rotunda.Kayla McDonald looks to her father in an emotional moment in Chancellor Cartwright’s speech.CJ Tatum, McDonald’s long-time executive assistant, tears up during her speech.Johanna Milord, Vice President of the African Graduate Professional Students, presents McDonald with an honorary medal and traditional African garb. McDonald shares a laugh with the audience during his speech.Inya Baiye and senior leaders of the Division of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity present McDonald with a gift on behalf of the division.Andy Hayes, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA hugs McDonald as he accepts the gift.Dr. NaTashua Davis, who will serve as interim Vice Chancellor of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity at MU, wishes McDonald well. MUPD Chief Doug Schwandt presents McDonald with a declaration naming him as an honorary police officer.Columbia community leaders Verna Laboy and Nikki McGruder wish McDonald well.Former UM System President Mike Middleton — who hired McDonald as the System’s first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer — congratulates McDonald on his accomplishments.Tiffanesha Williams, immediate past president of the Association of Black Graduate and Professional Students (ABGPS), spoke to McDonald’s involvement in students’ lives and successes.Dr. Kristin Flynn-Peters gave remarks on behalf of MU’s faculty.Students from the Men of Color, Honor and Ambition (MOCHA) program, which McDonald started at MU, came to celebrate him. McDonald referred to Marshall Stewart, MU Vice Chancellor of Extension and Engagement, as a “brother from another mother” during his remarks on Wednesday.McDonald and Donell Young, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement and Success, flash their fraternity signs. Members of the African Graduate Professional Student Association (AGPSA) thank McDonald for his work with student organizations. McDonald and Tatum hug at the conclusion of the ceremony.J.J. Young presents McDonald with a gift and thanks him for all he’s done at Mizzou.Deborah Burris, Chief Diversity Officer and Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at UMSL, celebrates McDonald’s work for the UM System.Kayla, who will be continuing her studies at Mizzou, and Kevin share a hug for a final photo.
