by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC
Graduation at Kansas City Kansas Community College is quickly approaching, and plans are already underway for the annual celebration.
There will be two commencement ceremonies, both on Wednesday, May 24, 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. Reserved seating is available for those who require accommodations due to a medical disability.
The Honorable Courtney Mikesic, District Court Judge for Wyandotte County, is the commencement speaker for both ceremonies. Mikesic was born and raised in Wyandotte County.
She has worked for the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office and as a law clerk in the Office of Judicial Administration for the Kansas Supreme Court. She is also a managing attorney with Kramer and Frank, PC. She attended Long Island University where she earned a bachelor of science in political science and graduated from the Washburn University School of Law.
The ceremony for those students who have earned an associate of applied science and certificates will be at 2 p.m. Check-in begins at 1 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 ceremony for those students who earned an associate of science, associate of arts or associate of general studies will be at 7 p.m. Check-in begins at 6 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).
A new addition the graduation ceremonies will be the KCKCC ceremonial mace. The mace was made by Ben Hayes, a retired KCKCC staff member and the KCKCC Machine Technology Class of 2017 – Liam Riggs, machine technology instructor; students Drake Murphy, Michael Finley, Colton Harvey, Miguel Arreola, Matthew Henry; Don Balluch, construction technology instructor and Rob Crane, director of wellness and fitness. The ceremonial mace is a symbol of academic excellence and is used to lead the academic procession at commencement and other special occasions signifying the importance of the conformation of the academic process.
The KCKCC Jazz Band, directed by Jim Mair, will provide music prior to both ceremonies, and the National Anthem will be sung by Trevor Thoeke, a KCKCC freshman. 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 24, 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 2017 semester as well as fall 2016 and summer 2016 are eligible to participate in commencement. Students who are within nine hours of completing degree requirements in summer 2017 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.
Graduation DVDs for both ceremonies are on sale now for $7. Contact the Office of Student Activities at 913-288-7553 or stop by room 2313 for an order form. Graduates will also have one final chance to take graduation photos. Photos will be from 9 to 10 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 24 at the Fieldhouse. 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 2017 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].