MCC-Blue River Blood Drive with benefits

Aside from the comfort you get from knowing that you’ve donated blood, you can earn some cool rewards at the Community Blood Center Blood Drive sponsored by MCC-Blue River. Sign up for an account to earn at least 100 reward points every time you donate blood. Some donations are worth as much as 300 points.

Among the most popular rewards you can choose from are AMC movie passes, a pedometer with built in radio, coolers, and Ruff Ready tool kits.

Cool swag offered by Community Blood Center for blood drive reward points

Most donors will earn 100 to 150 points this Monday for

Graduation Fair at MCC-Blue River

It is time to get fitted. Metropolitan Community College-Blue River is holding a graduation fair on two dates this week. On Wednesday, March 23, go to the Campus Center to get your cap and gown between the hours of 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

If you’re in the market for a class ring, Jostens will be at the Campus Center on Thursday, March 24 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

You can get your cap and gown on either date, or if you cannot make it to the graduation fair then you will be able to get a cap and gown from the business office after March 24.

Graduation Fair, March 23 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and March 24 from 10a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Campus Center

MCC Buildings Win Regional Design Awards

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City and architecture firm Gould Evans have been recognized by the Central States Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for architectural achievement on three of MCC’s storm shelters.

The MCC-Penn Valley Education Center, MCC-Maple Woods Campus Center and MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center, which serve their respective campuses and surrounding communities as FEMA-certified shelter environments, each received a Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture at an AIA event last month in St. Louis, Mo. The three buildings, which opened in 2009, were designed by architects from Gould Evans’ Kansas City office.

“We take great pride in this recognition from the AIA,” said Mark James, MCC chancellor. “These buildings are not only beautifully designed but they serve a significant function in the event of severe weather.”

FEMA shelters must be able to withstand an F5 tornado and must be within five minutes’ walking or driving distance from everywhere on the campus.

“We are delighted with the design solution for each campus location and how well they serve their separate programs,” said Anthony Rohr, AIA, Gould Evans national managing principal. “The entire team never thought of these buildings as shelters, but as architecture.”

The Central States Chapter of AIA represents professionals in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

The Kansas Chapter of AIA also recognized the same three buildings last month, presenting a Citation Award for Excellence in Architecture at their annual design awards ceremony in Topeka on September 16.