FOUNDERS' BIOS
FOUNDERS' BIOS
Dr. E. Grey Dimond
(1918-2013)
&
Mary Clark Dimond
(1916-1983)
STAFF
DIANE MAGERS
Administrator
magersd@umkc.edu
816.235.8857
Diane has worked at Diastole Scholars’ Center since 2007. She holds a B.S. in Accounting, from the University of Kansas and a M.A. in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. Prior to working at Diastole, Diane worked as an accountant for several international companies, and also owned a dessert catering business. In addition to managing all aspects of a non-profit, from financial management to property management, while being a conscientious steward of the gift of E. Grey and Mary Clark Dimond, she promotes the donors' intent of people "coming together, thinking, talking, reasoning, planning".
Diane is a Stephen Minister and leader at Westside Family Church. She enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, creating new cookie recipes, and spending time with her grandsons.
2026-2027
Resident Staffer
Wisdom Awuku is from Ghana, West Africa, currently pursuing a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). His research focuses on developing strategies to improve the stability of therapeutic proteins, specifically through peptide-based approaches to prevent insulin fibrillation.
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Wisdom is also a Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) Scholar at UMKC, where he is developing his skills in college teaching. He also serves as President of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Association and as a graduate student member of the Graduate Programs Commitee (GPC) in the UMKC School of Pharmacy.
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Outside of his academic pursuits, Wisdom enjoys playing video games. He has also enjoyed being part of the Diastole community as a resident staffer, particularly the opportunity to meet and interact many of the guests who visit Diastole for events.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON
Treasurer
Alexander Norbash, M.D.
Dean
UMKC School of Medicine
KAREN CANON
Chairman
Michele Kilo, M.D.
CURT CRESPINO
UMKC Vice Chancellor of External Relations and Constituent Engagement
MARK THORNHILL
Vice-Chairman
GREG LAM
Managing Partner,
Copilevitz, Lam & Raney
DIANE MAGERS
Secretary
REBECCA SMITH
PARTNERS
Diastole Scholars' Center is grateful to be included in the new UMKC Health Sciences District, a cutting-edge partnership between several of the medical facilities on Hospital Hill, including the UMKC School of Medicine, Children's Mercy Hospital, and Truman Medical Center.