Category: Events

KCKCC prepares for commencement ceremonies

by Kelly Rogge

Kansas City Kansas Community College will be celebrating new beginnings this week during several graduation and pinning events.

Five commencement ceremonies will be taking place as the 2013-14 academic year wraps up. Including graduates from December 2013, May 2014 and Summer 2014, KCKCC will have approximately 950 students graduate with associate degrees or certificates this year. These ceremonies include:

·         Respiratory Therapy Pinning – 7 p.m. May 19 at Providence Medical Center.

·         GED Graduation – 6 p.m. May 20 at the KCKCC Field House.

·         Nurses’ Pinning – 8 p.m. May 20 at the KCKCC Field House.

·         KCKCC Graduation – 8 p.m. May 21 at the KCKCC Field House.

·         Physical Therapy Assistant Graduation – 7 p.m. May 22 at the KCKCC-TEC.

Major Gen. Karen E. LeDoux, U.S. Army, will be the speaker at the KCKCC graduation Wednesday. LeDoux has a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Mo. and a MMS degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.  She has also attended the Combined Arms and Services Staff School and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

She has served as a training officer, deputy commander and commander of the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program Support Unit, commander of the 94th Training Division, commander of the 55th Sustainment Brigade and Commanding General of the Army Material Command – Southwest Asia/G4.

LeDoux is currently the deputy program manager and research fellow for logistics and technology group at the Logistics Management Institute in McLean, Va. Among the many U.S. decorations and badges she has received are the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.

All commencement ceremonies are open to the public.

For more information on Kansas City Kansas Community College, visit its website at www.kckcc.edu.

Father’s Day run benefits three charities

The Kevin Gray Father’s Day 5k run-walk on Saturday, June 14, at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., was created to honor the former KC Sports Commission president and father of four daughters, Kevin Gray.

Gray died on June 15, 2011, from a rare form of cancer. The run-walk started in 2012.

“Family and sports were very important to Kevin,” said President and CEO Kathy Nelson.  “We honor his memory with this Father’s Day 5K Run by combining sports and celebrating all fathers.”

This run has three beneficiaries, the University of Kansas Cancer Center, the Kevin Gray Family Education Fund, and the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation.

The University of Kansas Cancer Center is dedicated to the discovery, development and implementation of knowledge, technology and novel therapeutic agents for the treatment and prevention of adult sarcomas.

The Kevin Gray Family Education Fund was established to help offset expenses for Kevin and Katy’s four daughters to complete their educations.  Caroline and Peepers are in college (currently in their junior and freshman years) and Gigi is a high school junior.  Lindsay recently graduated college.  Nothing was more important to Kevin Gray than these four young ladies.

The third beneficiary is the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation which Kevin was the president from 1989 until 2011.  Kevin led the revitalization of the Sports Commission from a one-person office to a multifaceted, privately-funded, nonprofit operation that includes year-round programming, services and initiatives, more than 20 annual events, more than 200 individual and business members, and 12 full-time associates.

Online registration is open until June 11.  Registration will still be accepted on Friday, June 13, at packet pickup and on race day.  The run starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 at Sporting Park.  To register go to SportKC.org.

“This is a great event for the entire family to enjoy together,” said Sarah Dee, director of events.  “Dads who register will receive a special shirt just for them.  We also have a kids fun run for the little ones.”

Volunteers are needed for various volunteer job opportunities including packet pickup and registration, course monitors, water station, finish line food/water, and chip removal.  Individuals who register to volunteer will receive a T-shirt. For more information about volunteering go to the website at SportKC.org.

The Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation is a 100 percent privately-funded nonprofit that benefits the Kansas City region through sports by creating, attracting and managing major sporting events for Kansas City, and, promote the lifetime benefits of sports for youth through educational initiatives, tournaments and clinics.

Catholic Cemeteries to hold Memorial Day Masses May 26

Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas will hold Memorial Day Masses on Monday, May 26, at the following locations and times:
• Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 38th and State Avenue, Kansas City, Kan., 9 a.m.; celebrated by the Rev. Michael Hermes; liturgical music by Ed Grisnik.
• Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 126th and Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan., 10 a.m.; celebrated by the Rev. John Riley.
• St. Joseph Cemetery, 61st Terrace and Quivira Road, Shawnee, Kan., 9 a.m.; celebrated by the Rev. Michael Hawken.
• Resurrection Cemetery, 83rd and Quivira Road, Lenexa, Kan.; flag-raising by American Legion Post 370 at 8:30 a.m.; Mass at 9 a.m. celebrated by the Rev. Peter Jaramillo and followed by blessing of new columbaria and statues; liturgical music by Tom Jacobs.
• St. John Cemetery, Lenexa, Kan., 8:15 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 89th and Pflumm Road, Lenexa.
• Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 15825 S. 169 Highway, Olathe, Kan., 8 a.m.; celebrated by the Rev. John Torrez.
• Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 801 S.W. Westchester Rd., Topeka, Kan., 10 a.m.; concelebrated by Msgr. Vincent Krische and the Rev. Tim Haberkorn; liturgical music by Linda Ulses, Jane Ziegler, Stephanie Schmitz and Mother Teresa Celebration Choir.

For more information, call 913-371-4040 (Kansas City area) or 785-272-0820 (Topeka area); email [email protected] ; or visit www.cathcemks.org.