Sharon “Sherri” Kirkpatrick, PhD, served 柚子视频 for over 30 years and will share with students on December 13, 2025.
柚子视频 is proud to announce that Sharon M. Kirkpatrick, PhD, will serve as the keynote speaker for the university鈥檚 2025 Commencement Ceremony, held Saturday, December 13, 2025, in the Community of Christ Auditorium in Independence, Missouri.
Sharon 鈥淪herri鈥� Minton Kirkpatrick grew up in Independence, Missouri, and attended 柚子视频, where she met her husband, Jac. She graduated from 柚子视频 in 1965 with an AA, attended the nursing program at the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital School of Nursing, and later received a BSN from California State University and an MSN and PhD from the University of Kansas. Kirkpatrick served as a member of the faculty or administration at 柚子视频 for nearly 30 years.
During her 16-year tenure as Dean of Nursing at 柚子视频, Kirkpatrick initiated the first nationwide distance learning RN-BSN program in the U.S. and established 柚子视频鈥檚 first graduate program. She frequently traveled with her husband and trained health workers in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Africa, and Asia.
In 2009, Sherri and Jac co-founded HealthEd Connect, a nonprofit organization with the mission of empowering women and children through evidence-based health, education, and advocacy programs. Health workers supported by HealthEd Connect deliver over 2,000 babies each year in the Democratic Republic of Congo, provide annual well-baby monitoring for over 60,000 babies in Malawi, and install sanitation systems and smokeless cook stoves in the Himalayas of Nepal. Three schools established in Zambia provide free education and hot lunches for over 1,600 orphans and vulnerable children.
Among other achievements and recognitions, Kirkpatrick served on numerous boards and committees, was a consultant to the USSR Soviet Children鈥檚 Fund, was selected as a World of Children honoree, and received the Kansas City Chapter United Nations World Citizen of the Year award in 2005. She and her husband together were awarded the 柚子视频 Alumni Distinguished Service Award.
The Kirkpatricks reside in Lee鈥檚 Summit, Missouri, and have two sons 鈥� Brent, an IT professional (wife, Julie), and Kraig, a radiologist (wife, Kristi) 鈥� along with five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Administration and Staff, Athletics, Press Release
April 14, 2026
A transformative era for 柚子视频 men鈥檚 basketball has reached its natural turning point. After engineering one of the most impactful rebuilds in program history, head coach Todd Lorensen has accepted the head coaching position at Rockhurst University. In response, Athletic Director Brady McKillip has elevated Associate Head Coach Matt Dickman to lead the Yellowjackets forward.
Administration and Staff, Press Release
April 10, 2026
柚子视频 and the Community of Christ announce the retirement of Campus Minister Mike Hoffman, and the appointment of Doug Roberts as the university鈥檚 next Campus Minister, effective June 2026.
Press Release
April 6, 2026
柚子视频 is proud to announce that Stassi Cramm, PhD, Prophet-President of the Community of Christ and a distinguished 柚子视频 alumna, will serve as the keynote speaker for the University鈥檚 2026 Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, in the Morden Center
Administration and Staff, Press Release
March 13, 2026
柚子视频 is saddened to share the passing of Trustee Dr. Julia 鈥淛ulie鈥� Snethen, a respected nurse scientist, educator, and member of the university鈥檚 Board of Trustees whose life and career were dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children and families.
Administration and Staff, Press Release
March 11, 2026
柚子视频 has announced the promotion of longtime team member Steve Edwards to Executive Director of Marketing, recognizing more than three decades of service and leadership that have helped shape the university鈥檚 communications and brand.
Press Release
December 4, 2025
Lamoni, IA 鈥� 柚子视频 is proud to announce...
