UMKC is a proud sponsor of the Disney 100 exhibit in Kansas City. Join us for UMKC Day at Disney 100 on Oct. 19 for special UMKC presentations that are free after admission purchase. Members of the UMKC Community can receive exclusive discounts on admission by using the promo code UMKC 100 at check
Now at the Bank of America Gallery in Union Station, the Disney 100 exhibit features more than 250 artifacts including works of art, costumes, props and other memorabilia from the historic vault of the Walt Disney Archives.
Kansas City and UMKC have a storied history with Walt Disney and his media empire. Perhaps most well-known, Disney is known to be the first illustrator of KC Roo, the university mascot. To celebrate this shared history, a special gallery is included exclusively for the Kansas City run of the exhibit to celebrate the connections.
“I’m not aware of any other college that can claim the most famous animator in the world drew their mascot. UMKC is singular in that respect.” said George Guastello (B.B.A. ’82, MBA ’84). “As a proud Kansas Citian and UMKC alumnus, it’s a thrill to have a special section, Union Station’s Hometown Connections Gallery, that honors Disney’s deep roots here in our community.”
Community members looking to take in more Disney history can visit the UMKC Volker campus where the UMKC Libraries’ LaBudde Special Collections and Marr Sound Archives have created an installment of original photographs documents and sound recordings related to Walt Disney's time in Kansas City.
In addition to the Kansas City gallery, Union Station, UMKC and Missouri Humanities Council have teamed up to present special programming for Disney fans. Three special sessions are planned for UMKC Day at the Exhibition on 10/19 Tickets are free on the Union Station website.
10:00- Emmy-winning alumnus Douglas Enderle (M.F.A. ’81) will present The Roo Behind the Magic about his career after UMKC.
11:30- The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures will present a special maker activity. Participants will explore the different versions of the UMKC mascot and sew their own stuffed kangaroo.
1:30- UMKC History Professor, Dr. David Trowbridge will share insight into Walt's time in Kansas City and Missouri.
UMKC Alumni with Disney Connections
- Douglas Enderle (M.F.A. ’81) won an Emmy for Innovative Costume Design for the 1993 ABC telecast of the “Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade.” The Emmy is on display during the Disney 100 exhibit.
- Sean Jennings (B.L.A. ’01) is in Global Television Communications for Marvel Entertainment.
- Thank You Walt Disney, Inc., is working to restore Walt Disney’s Laugh-O-Gram Studios near 31 street and Troost. Butch Rigby, Jr. (B.A. ’82, J.D. ’85) is founder and owner, and Gary Sage (B.A. ’74, M.P.A. ’83) is a principal of Applied Economic Development Research and Policy for the organization. Other UMKC alumni on the board include Tyler Campbell (B.A. ’05), Christy Cubbage, CPA, CGMA (M.B.A. ’09) and Scott Cauger (J.D. ’80).
