by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC
Graduation at Kansas City Kansas Community College is quickly approaching, and plans are underway for the annual celebration.
There will be two commencement ceremonies, both on Thursday, May 17, at the KCKCC Field House, 7250 State Ave.
Commencement participants must attend the ceremony that corresponds with the certificate or degree that they have earned. Seating at both ceremonies is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors will open one hour prior to the commencement ceremony. Reserved seating is available for those who require accommodations due to a medical disability.
The 2018 Commencement Ceremony Speaker will be Dr. Shawn Derritt. He currently serves as the dean of student services at KCKCC. The following departments make up the division of student services: Student Success Center, Placement testing, TRIO Student Support Services, Student Activities, Student Housing, Student Health, Counseling and Advocacy Center and Student Accessibility and Support Services.
Prior to his current position, Derritt served as the assistant dean of students, director of the Student Advising Center and was a counselor within the Counseling and Advising Center. Derritt also serves as an adjunct faculty member for the Blue KCKCC Freshmen Year Experience course.
Derritt has been a guest lecturer at the University of Kansas for the School of Education’s graduate program in counseling psychology. He has served as the director of the Upward Bound TRIO program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has served as the middle school adviser for the University of Kansas Educational Talent Search TRIO program.
Derritt also served as an admissions counselor for the University of Kansas, focusing on the recruitment of students of color through recruitment efforts and event programing. He is an advocate for foster youth, has served as a member of the Douglas County Foster Care review board and has been instrumental in developing supportive services for foster youth at KCKCC.
He recently earned, his Ed.D., doctorate in higher education and administration from UMKC. He has a Master’s of Science in counseling psychology from KU and a Bachelor in General Studies with an emphasis in psychology, also from KU. Derritt is a graduate KCKCC, where he earned an Associate in Arts with an emphasis in psychology.
The ceremony for those students who earned an associate of science, associate of arts or associate of general studies will be at 2 p.m. Graduate check-in begins at 1 p.m. Programs include Biology (AGS, AS), Business (AS), Chemistry (AA, AGS), Computer Engineering Technology (AS), Economics (AA), Education, Elementary (AA), Education, Secondary (AA), Environmental Studies (AGS, AS), Exercise Science (AGS), Fine Arts (AA), Forensic Chemistry (AA, AGS, AS), History (AA), Journalism (AA), Music (AA), Music Technology (AGS), Philosophy (AA), Physics/Physical Science (AGS, AS), Political Science (AA), Sociology (AA), Theatre (AA), Theatre Technology (AGS), Victim/Survivor Services (AA), Pre-Agriculture (AGS, AS), Pre-Chiropractic (AGS, AS), Pre-Dental (AGS, AS), Pre-Engineering (AGS, AS), Pre-Exercise Science (AS), Pre-Law (AA), Pre-Medical (AGS, AS), Pre-Medical Technology (AGS, AS), Pre-Allied Health and Nursing (AS), Pre-Nutrition (AGS, AS), Pre-Occupational Therapy (AS), Pre-Optometry (AGS, AS), Pre-Pharmacy (AGS, AS), Pre-Physical Therapy (AS), Pre-Public Administration (AA), Pre-Radiologic Technology (AS), Pre-Respiratory Therapy (AS), Pre-Social Work (AA), Pre-Sports Mgmt. (AA) and Pre-Veterinary (AGS, AS).
The ceremony for those students who have earned an associate of applied science and certificates will be at 7 p.m. Graduate check-in begins at 6 p.m. Programs include: Accounting (AAS), Addiction Counselor (Certificate, AAS), Administrative Office Professionals (Certificate, AAS), Audio Engineering (AAS), Auto Collision Repair (Certificate – TEC), Automotive Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (Certificate-TEC), Automotive Technology (Certificate – TEC), Building and Property Maintenance (Certificate – TEC), Computer Repair (Certificate – TEC), Business Administration (AAS), Computer Engineering Technology (Certificate, AAS), Computer Software Technology/Technician (Certificate, AAS), Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Certificate, AAS), Construction Technology (Certificate – TEC), Corrections (Certificate, AAS), Cosmetology (Certificate – TEC), Culinary Arts(Certificate – TEC), Digital Imaging (AAS), Drafting Technology (AAS), Early Childhood Education (Certificate, AAS), Early Childhood Education – CDA Preparation Credential (Certificate), Electrical Technology (Certificate – TEC), Exercise Leader (Certificate), Firefighter (Certificate) Fire Science/Firefighting(AAS), Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology (AAS), Heating and Refrigeration (Certificate – TEC), Homeland Security (Certificate), LPN to RN Articulation Program (AAS), Machine Technology (Certificate – TEC), Major Appliance Technology (Certificate – TEC), Marketing and Mid-Management (AAS), Medical Assistant (Certificate – TEC), Mortuary Science (AAS), Multimedia/Video Production (Certificate – TEC), Nail Technology (Certificate – TEC), Networking Technology (Certificate – TEC), Allied Health and Nursing/Practical Nurse (Certificate), Allied Health and Nursing/Registered Nurse (AAS), Office Assistant (Certificate – TEC), Paralegal (AAS), Paramedic/Mobile Intensive Care Technician (AAS), Paramedic/RRT to RN Bridge Program (AAS), Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS), Police Science (Certificate, AAS), Respiratory Therapist/Respiratory Care Therapy (AAS), Technical Studies (AAS), Victim/Survivor Services (Certificate, AAS), Web Application and Design (Certificate) and Welding Technology (Certificate – TEC).
The KCKCC Jazz Band, directed by Jim Mair, will provide music prior to both ceremonies, and the national anthem will be sung by the 2018 graduates of the KCKCC Chamber Choir – Hayley Hinton, Nellie Bills, Sarah Stella, Alondra Esparza, Brady Rose as well as Professor John Stafford.
The Leavenworth Junior ROTC Color Guard will present the colors during the National Anthem.
Students are strongly encouraged to attend the graduation rehearsal at 10 a.m. on May 17, as they will receive important information on the ceremony. Ottawa University will hold a free lunch following the rehearsal in the picnic area next to the fieldhouse.
Students who have completed all degree requirements for the spring 2018 semester as well as fall 2017 and summer 2017 are eligible to participate in commencement. Students who are within nine hours of completing degree requirements in summer 2018 are also eligible to participate.
In addition, those students with at least a 3.4 grade point average qualify to graduate with honors and can wear an honors cord during commencement. Honors are awarded to students for completed coursework. Red, white and blue cords are available to active-duty service members, military veterans and spouses or dependent family members of active duty service members and veterans. These cords will be available at graduation check-in. Technical education students who have earned a 3.4 grade point average qualify to graduate with distinction and will wear a silver cord.
Graduation DVDs for both ceremonies are on sale now for $5 and sold at the graduation rehearsal. For more information, contact the Office of Student Activities at 913-288-7553 or stop by room 2313 for an order form. Graduates will also have one more opportunity to take graduation photos immediately following the graduation rehearsal. Graduation gown, sash, and honor cords will be provided. Please bring medals, and pins for the picture. Photo packages are available.
For more information on 2018 commencement exercises including graduation fees, visit http://kckcc.edu/admission/returning-students/graduation-information. Information is also available by contacting a graduation specialist at 913-288-7519 or by email at [email protected].
