Star Partner Awards Honor Area Business Efforts

Laura Evans, Cerner talent strategist and leader of the corporation’s extensive efforts with area schools, said private companies must become increasingly involved to help educators produce students who are not just knowledgeable, but “knowledge-able,” able to learn and adapt to a world that is increasing change.

“What is more crucial…to a company’s future success than having access to a ready, quality supply of talent to fill its jobs?” she asked. ”This has certainly been a crucial ingredient in Cerner’s success over the years.”

More needs to be done, she added. Citing graduation rates and especially advanced education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, Evans said America is lagging and especially alarming numbers are in Missouri and Kansas. “The trends are unmistakable and they will impact all of us economically, sooner or later,” she said.

Held by the Northland Education and Business Alliance, the meeting also included presentation of the Star Partner Awards honoring businesses that enhance the future workforce by supporting local schools and workforce development. While urging change in education, Evans stressed the need for greater collaboration such as that exhibited by the award winners.

Star Partner Award winners ranged from a bank that operated a junior board of directors composed of high school students to an engineering firm that provided mentoring and internships. The 2011 Star Partner recipients were Big Lots on North Oak Trafficway, KCB Bank Junior Board Director’s, Liberty Hy-Vee, Mid-Continent Public Library, North Kansas City Hospital, Platte County Community Center - YMCA, PST Engineering and Veterinary Center of Liberty. Other nominees were the City of Gladstone, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Gregg Williams Foundation, Metropolitan Community College, PAS Technologies and Spectrum Station.

The luncheon was held at the Embassy Suites Kansas City - International Airport. Presenting the awards were Bill Young, chair of  Citizens Bank and Trust, which sponsored the event, and NEBA co-chairs Dr. Mindy McCullum, Maple Woods Community College, and Dr. Mike Reik, Platte County R-III School District.

Star Partner Awards Luncheon Photo Gallery