MCC-Longview student J.R. Byers featured on KMBC 9 News

J.R. Byers has come a long way in the two years he spent at MCC-Longview. WIth graduation now behind him, J.R. is planning to attend Cornell College in Iowa using a $90,000 grant from the Jack Kent Cook Foundation.

KMBC 9 News caught with J.R. and featured him on the morning news show on his graduation day.

Graduation at MCC-Business & Technology

MCC-BTC's 2011 graduates toss their hats in celebration, Friday, May 20.   BTC graduation highlights include: Fredward, the robotic Graduation Marshall, handing degrees and certificates to well-deserving students, and witnessing the entire staff and student body dance to Black Eye Peas, "I Gotta Feeling."  Click here to see more pictures from graduation.

Graduation at MCC-Longview

There was plenty of pomp and celebration at the 2011 MCC-Longview Graduation ceremony held at the John Knox Village Pavilion on Friday.



Graduates lined up and walked across the stage receiving their diplomas and entering a new chapter in their lives.



For more photos from the graduation ceremony, be sure to check out the MCC-Longview photo blog.

Penn Valley celebrates commencement 2011

Congressman Cleaver served as keynote speaker at Penn Valley's 2011 commencement ceremony.

More than 400 students at MCC-Penn Valley completed coursework requirements for associate's degree and certificate programs. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver delivered an inspiring message at this year's commencement ceremony reminding graduates of the importance of thanking those who helped them in their academic journey.

The hard work has paid off for Jajuan Turner and Rosie Garcia-Muzquiz who were among this year's graduating class.

MCC Board Chairman David Disney and Congressman Cleaver congratulate Penn Valley graduates.

Congressman Cleaver joins MCC Board members and Penn Valley leaders for an inspirational commencement celebration.

MCC-Maple Woods Graduates: Walk On!

MCC-Maple Woods recently conferred degrees to its newest class of graduates at a ceremonay May 19, 2011, at the MCC-Business & Technology campus. President Merna Saliman, as well as Maple Woods alum Bob Rennison, addressed the graduates.

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Project Success students celebrate graduation

College is a challenge for all students, but especially for those who are the first in their family to pursue higher education. Project Success at MCC-Penn Valley is a Student Support Services TRIO program whose services include: tutoring, counseling, transfer assistance and cultural assistance. The program recently hosted a celebration for graduating students.

Project Success, run by Toni Alexander, is open to low-income, first-generation or disabled college students, and is designed to increase retention and graduation rates as well as assist with transferring to four year colleges.

Project Success Director Toni Alexander (white jacket) proudly presents a certificate of completion to Jajuan Turner.

Family members beam with pride at the celebration.

Venesha Reed prepares to go to the next level, thanks to the support of Project Success and Penn Valley.

MCC-Penn Valley final exam, commencement schedule announced

MCC-Penn Valley’s commencement ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 19.

As result, the final exam schedule for the day exams has been changed. There will be no reading day for Penn Valley. The final exam schedule for day and evening exams will be Thursday, May 12-Wednesday, May 18.

Penn Valley students, faculty and administrators will observe this year's commencement exercises on May 19 at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Auditorium (13th and Wyandotte).

MCC-Maple Woods Spotlight: Graduation Fair

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

Get ready, world! Graduation Fair @ MCC-Maple Woods

It's time to think about graduation - as if you haven't been thinking about that already! MCC-Maple Woods will host a Graduation Fair from 3-6 p.m. March 29 and 9-11 a.m. March 30, 2011 in the Student Center. Student can stop by to pick up their caps and gowns and pick up all the information needed to prepare for post-Maple Woods options.

For more information, contact Denise Westrem, graduation advisor, at 604.3099.

MCC-Penn Valley celebrates National TRIO Day

College is a challenging time for students as they work to achieve their goals and improve their lives. The experience can be especially difficult for students who are the first in their families to attend college.

Project Success at MCC-Penn Valley is a Student Support Services TRIO program whose services include: tutoring, counseling, transfer assistance and cultural assistance. Project Success, run by Toni Alexander, is open to low-income, first-generation or disabled college students, and is designed to increase retention and graduation rates as well as assist with transferring to four year colleges.

The program recently participated in National TRIO Day by hosting a breakfast that featured a panel discussion on "Retention, Graduation, Transfer: Student Support Services TRIO's Role in All of It." English Instructor Lisa Spaulding served as moderator. Student panelists included: Vera Campbell-Adams, Stephanie Carrillo, Dianna Izaula, Darryl Norton, Rachel Pulluaim and JuJuan Turner.

National TRIO Day is a day of celebration, reflection and action around increased access to higher education for disadvantaged students.

"In many communities throughout America, the TRIO Programs are the only programs that help low-income Americans to enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America's economic and social life," Arnold Mitchem, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education.

Ready to serve - Public Safety Graduation

On Dec. 17, the Metropolitan Community College-Blue River Public Safety Institute graduated 36 students from the Fire Safety science academy. The program included the Gladstone Fire Department during the presentation of colors, Excelsior Springs Fire Chaplain, Larry Block and retiree from the Jackson County Sheriff’s department, Steve Leone as the guest singer.

Graduates from Fire Academy class FA-19 are:

Brianna C. Able
Aaron R. Bagby
Lee W. Cain
Quintin J. Clark
Justin A. Contreras
Craig W. Cumpton
Christopher M. Davis
Christopher J. Deardorff
Andrew G. Dressler
Jeremy P. Fordyce
Sam J. Golden
Daniel J. Hargrave
Aaron C. Harrison
Adam C. Hartley
Adam C. Hickmon
Matthew G. Hill
Jeremy N. Huffman
Ryan J. Johnson
Tyrone A. Jones
Philip D. Lang
Nathaniel H. Leonard
Jordan C. Liberty
Robbie V. Medellin
Timothy L. Merriman
Rachel A. Montes
John D. Neldon
Lucas T. Pilgrim
Aaron N. Price
Matthew D. Roe
Michael D. Roe
Jaymes J. Sanders
Kenneth E. Soule Jr.
Joshua M. Sutton
Aleksey Tsurkan
Erica B. Walley
Matt D. Wells

On Dec. 20, the Police Academy also proudly graduated 34 cadets. The presentation of colors was delivered by the Cass county Sheriff’s office.

Graduates from Police Academy class 7-100 are:

Nichole D. Amer
David A. Benham
Henry R. W. Blaha
Josh A. Brown
Jeffrey Robert Buck
Daniel O. Char
Joseph L. Drake
Seth S. Gregory
Christopher R. Hedrick
Michael D. Hightower
Nick J. Hill
Dalton J. L. Howard
Joshua P. Hubbell
Katisha L. Johnson
Derek A. King
Devin T. Liles
Amanda L. Litsch
Jacob A. Marshall
Reggie L. McKeithen
Dustin P. McWhorter
Mary Katherine O’Dell
Ian D. Olson
Michael K. Plemmons
Jeremiah D. Renne
David M. Shepherdson Jr.
Michael A. Smith
Jessica N. Sooter
Aaron D. Stone
Daniel L. Stringer
Arron H. Thomas
Linda D. Tran
Drew E. VanBiber
Eric J. Wendel
Brandon M. Wilcox

Both graduation ceremonies were on the Blue River campus inside the Arts and Sciences Gymnasium.