by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC public relations manager
After months of planning and more than a year of construction, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s new student housing, Centennial Hall, is now a reality.
KCKCC celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony for Centennial Hall July 15. Among the speakers and dignitaries at the event were KCKCC President Greg Mosier, U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Tyrone Garner, KCKCC Board of Trustees Chair Evelyn Criswell and Craig Nelson, president and CEO of Conco Construction.
Prior to the ribbon cutting event, a new sculpture by Kansas City artist Rita Blitt was unveiled. KCKCC currently has 142 of Blitt’s paintings displayed at both the main campus and the Dr. Thomas R. Burke Technical Education Center.
“Ascension” was commissioned by KCKCC for Centennial Hall and was so named for the students who will ascend to new heights as they live and study at KCKCC, according to a spokesman.
The future of student housing was one of the primary goals for Dr. Mosier when he came to the college in 2018.
The 260-bed, four-story Centennial Hall is designed so students can live and learn on the same campus, according to a spokesman. Each floor is divided into wings with student and community spaces built in. Every student also has a private bedroom and shared living space. Other amenities include a group study hall, study spaces, multipurpose spaces, laundry facilities, a FEMA rated storm shelter, gaming room and an outdoor patio/grilling area.
“This facility is truly built to maximize our students’ experience and success and to let them know how much we care about them and their successes,” Dr. Mosier said. “As the name indicates, it’s the very beginning for KCKCC as we prepare for our 100th year, and it really sets the stage for what we will continue to do these next 100 years. This new facility really represents KCKCC’s continued pursuit of excellence in absolutely everything we do.”
KCKCC Board of Trustees Chair Evelyn Criswell said it is not only a great day for Kansas City Kansas Community College, but especially for the students as building a facility such as Centennial Hall has been a goal for many years.
“Many of us have attended KCKCC, many of us have been involved with KCKCC, and even more people have just in their hearts and souls wanted the best for KCKCC,” she said. “This is an important project. Thank you to everyone involved. It just wasn’t one person, it was all of us. Everyone matters and everyone showed up for KCKCC and KCKCC students.”
KCKCC will welcome students into the student housing facility later this summer, the spokesman stated. A limited number of rooms are available for the fall semester. Students interested in living in Centennial Hall may visit www.kckcc.edu/housing or call 913-288-7586.