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UMKC School of Law Receives $3.5M, Largest Gift in History

The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law received a $3.5 million from the Whittaker family. Photo credit: Photo credit: Shutterstock (Pla2na).

Posted June 16, 2025

The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law received a $3.5 million donation, the largest philanthropic gift it has received in history.

The gift was from Kent Whittaker, a Kansas City lawyer for 45 years, who wished to see UMKC continue to elevate its reputation as a national law school following accolades, including its School of Law being recognized in the Top 100 Law Schools by U.S. News and World Report in April.

While not an alumnus of the UMKC School of Law, Whittaker’s family has a history with the institution. His father, Charles Whittaker, graduated from the Kansas City School of Law, now the UMKC School of Law, in 1924. Charles Whittaker went on to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice from 1957 to 1962. He was nominated to serve on the Supreme Court by President Dwight Eisenhower.

Kent Whittaker’s late wife, Judy Whittaker, is an alumna and was valedictorian of her class. Their daughter Kate Whittaker is also an alumna of the school.

The Whittaker family donation will support student scholarships, law school building maintenance and areas of greatest need, according to a release.

“Kent and Judy Whittaker truly set the standard for excellence as lawyers and leaders in the greater Kansas City community,” dean of the UMKC School of Law, Lumen Mulligan, said in the release. “It is exceptionally fitting, then, that their gift sets the standard for philanthropy here at UMKC Law. Their generosity will empower UMKC Law’s success in perpetuity.”