KCKCC Celebrates the 100th Commencement at Children’s Mercy Park

Join Kansas City Kansas Community College as it celebrates the 100th Commencement Ceremony this May. Thousands will attend commencement at 7 p.m. May 22 at Children’s Mercy Park to celebrate all fall 2024, spring 2025 and summer 2025 graduates.

“We invite the community to join us in celebrating 100 years of graduating outstanding students,” said KCKCC President, Dr. Greg Mosier. “Since its inception, KCKCC’s mission has focused on preparing students to be successful in the workplace or as they continue their education. Providing affordable, accessible education that translates into successful living wages makes all the difference for our students, workforce and economy.”

To attend the free commencement ceremony, individuals must have a guest ticket, which is linked on KCKCC’s web page. Guests will be admitted beginning at 6 p.m., one hour before the ceremony. Guest seating is located in designated sections and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For those unable to attend, the ceremony will also be live-streamed, and the link can be found at www.kckcc.edu on May 22.

This year’s commencement speaker is Lieutenant General Milford Beagle, Jr., Commanding General of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth. He is also Commandant, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Deputy Commanding General for Combined Arms, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. Lt. General Beagle was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from South Carolina State University in 1990 as a distinguished military graduate. He has also earned master’s degrees from Kansas State University and the United States Army School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) at Fort Leavenworth. Lt. General Beagle has served in multiple leadership capacities from the platoon to division level. He has served in combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan in positions ranging from operations officer in tactical combat units to advisor as part of NATO missions. His career assignments have spanned the globe from Hawaii to the Republic of South Korea.

Graduates and guests must follow the guidelines provided by Children’s Mercy Park. Please review guidelines before attending commencement and arrive early for a smooth entry into the park. This information includes:

• No outside food or beverage will be allowed. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. Because Children’s Mercy Park is a cashless facility, it is credit/debit card only.
• Children’s Mercy Park is a clear bag facility. Clear bags measuring 12”x12”x6” or smaller are permitted.
• Student entry is at the Hollywood Casino Gate, which can be found on the northeast corner of the venue. Due to the limited amount of time available for the college’s graduation team to line up graduates for the ceremony, it is crucial for graduates to check in by 6:00 p.m.
• Guest entry is at the Mazuma Gate. Guest parking is in Blue Lots 1 and 2.
• ADA parking is at NE Blue 2.
• Cameras and video cameras are allowed. Diaper bags (with an infant) and medical bags are permitted and subject to search. Prohibited items at the venue include umbrellas, backpacks, gift bags and noisemakers.
• KCKCC asks attendees to respect and honor all of our graduates and please refrain from leaving until the commencement ceremony ends.
• Graduates and guests are asked to exit the park immediately following the conclusion of the commencement ceremony.

For more information on 2025 commencement exercises visit the KCKCC website or contact a graduation specialist at 913-288-7519.