By Janice Phelan,
June 20, 2022
During the Chamber’s awards luncheon, UCM Lee’s Summit staff members accept the Business
of the Year Award. Pictured (from left) are (front row) Carson Graff, Chamber chair;
Rick Smetana, Clarinda Dir, Laura Emery, all of UCM; Lee’s Summit Mayor Bill Baird;
(back row, from left) Joe Mullins, Nathan Flowers, Dr. Laurel Hogue, Brenda Fuhr and
Kenda Glidewell, all of UCM.
The University of Central Missouri Lee’s Summit campus received the Lee’s Summit Chamber
of Commerce Simply the Best Business of the Year Award at a June 17 awards luncheon.
UCM Lee’s Summit was recognized in the category for businesses with one to 20 employees.
This prestigious award is a long-standing tradition in Lee's Summit honoring the very
best businesses in the community, according to Chamber officials. UCM Lee’s Summit
has been an active member of the Chamber for a number of years with staff members
serving on several Chamber committees. In addition, the local campus has hosted numerous
Chamber events at its state-of-the-art Missouri Innovation Campus.
The Chamber’s annual awards program includes a comprehensive written application with
finalists participating in site visits by the Chamber’s selection team during the
spring. The application focuses on company culture, community service and impact,
staff engagement and support, future plans and involvement in the Chamber of Commerce.
The University of Central Missouri operates campus locations in Warrensburg, online
and Lee’s Summit with UCM’s Workforce and Professional Education programs housed at
the Lee’s Summit location in the Missouri Innovation Campus. The campus is also home
to UCM’s new Gigabit Lab/Mixed Reality Studio and houses the nationally recognized
Missouri Innovation Campus program.