Class of 2020 Commencement
Kansas City University
Virtual Commencement Ceremony
Although we cannot be together to share this momentous day, we hope our virtual ceremony will provide a heart-felt tribute to your hard work and dedication.
The pre-recorded virtual ceremony incorporates elements of a traditional commencement including messages from the president and the deans, the osteopathic oath and presentation of the military officers. The video features a world-renowned keynote speaker and a special guest, as well as student photos and names of each graduate are included in the video. Download the Class of 2020 Commencement Program.
This pre-recorded ceremony will be available for graduates, families and friends starting on Sat., May 9 at 9 a.m. CDT. The video can be viewed anytime. If you have problems connecting, call the KCU Help Desk at (816) 654-7700 or helpdesk@kcumb.edu.
Class of 2020 Awards
Each year, Kansas City University recognizes graduating students with a variety of awards and honors. We extend special congratulations to the award recipients of the Class of 2020, who have displayed exemplary leadership, service and achievement during their time at KCU. Please join us in celebrating their accomplishments.
President’s Award
Paige Michele Owens-Kurtz
Paige Michele Owens-Kurtz
Given to a student who has made significant and meritorious contributions to the larger community in a leadership role while enrolled as a student at the University.
Dean’s Award
Kevin Thomas Bartel
Given to a student who has excelled academically and made significant and meritorious contributions to the University community while enrolled as a student, and who has enhanced the overall quality and spirit of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Silver Stethoscope Award
James Robert MacDonald
Presented to the student ranked second in the class of graduating osteopathic medical students.
Gold Stethoscope Award
Nicole Elizabeth Bernskoetter
Nicole Elizabeth Bernskoetter
Presented to the student ranked first in the class of graduating osteopathic medical students.
Student DO of the Year
Marc Larsen-Hallock
Presented to a student who embodies: leadership, commitment to community service, dedication to the profession, professionalism, and embodiment of the osteopathic philosophy.
Biomedical Sciences Dean’s Student of the Year
Hamid Nazimuddin
Presented for achievements in leadership and service to the school and non-affiliated entities while enrolled in the College of Biosciences.
Biomedical Sciences Research Track Student of the Year
Amy Wysong
Presented for achievements in leadership and service to the school and non-affiliated entities while enrolled in the College of Biosciences research track program.
Biosciences Faculty Student of the Year
Fatima McKindra
Presented for achievements in academic excellence and classroom engagement while in the College of Biosciences.
Biosciences Staff Student of the Year
Matthew Ohtani
Presented for achievements made in professionalism while in the College of Biosciences.
Janet H. Glasgow Memorial Award
Nicole Elizabeth Bernskoetter
Nicole Elizabeth Bernskoetter
Recognizes a female student graduating first in her class.
KCU-COM Basic Science Research Award
James Youngmin Yang
Presented to an osteopathic medical student who has demonstrated significant interest and participation in basic sciences research.
KCU-COM Clinical Science Research Award
Sara Nicole Brigham
Presented to an osteopathic medical student who has demonstrated significant interest and participation in clinical science research.
Mathews Military Honor Graduate Award
Paige Michele Owens-Kurtz
The Mathews Military Honor Scholarship was established at Kansas City University in 2003. Named for Colonel H.T. Mathews, a dedicated infantry officer, of 33 years, who was considered a “soldier’s soldier.” Colonel Mathews was wounded in World War II in the Leaning Tower of Pisa and had the utmost respect for the military physicians who cared for him at that time and throughout the rest of his life. He always remarked at the devotion, long hours, dedication, and compassion exhibited by these military physicians. This award honors the military graduate (selected from all branches) who best exemplifies academic excellence, commitment to serve in the military, leadership, service to one’s community and esprit de corps. The scholarship is given out annually, by his son’s Foundation, Colonel Thomas Mathews, Class 1979, to a military graduating student and should be prioritized to assist the student in their preparation for residency.
Missouri State Medical Association Honor Graduate Award
Kellen John Smutz
Recognizes a member of the Missouri State Medical Association for outstanding achievement in the study of medicine.
Thomas V. Thomas, MD, Award for Research
Kyle M. Yuquimpo
Presented to an osteopathic student who has taken advantage of the most research opportunities and demonstrated significant interest and participation in research.
Vesalius Award
Derek Daniel Schirmer
Presented for outstanding academic performance in the disciplines of human anatomy, histology, and neuroanatomy, as well as service the Department of Anatomy.
American Women’s Association Glasgow-Rubin Citation for Academic Achievement
Recognizes female medical students graduating in the top 10 percent of their class.
Jacqueline Elizabeth Beverlin
Sarah Jewel Dunalewicz
Samantha M. Engel
Anima Ghimire
Caitlin Walenta Gluck
Brittney Amber Justice
Julia Ann Lauria
Catherine Morgen Mayer
Kylie Monroe Smith
Virtual Receptions
Our “Virtual Reception” rooms will be open starting at 10 a.m. CDT on May 9 and will stay open for two weeks. There will be no formal program or agenda. This is a space for KCU graduates to meet, catch up with friends and share future plans. Feel free to share these links with your friends and families.
College of Osteopathic MedicineJoin the meeting: https://call.lifesizecloud.com/49381 Click to call from Mobile (audio only) Call in by Phone (audio only) Calling from a Lifesize conference room system? Dial 49381 with the keypad. |
College of BiosciencesJoin the meeting: https://call.lifesizecloud.com/809231 Click to call from Mobile (audio only) Call in by Phone (audio only) Calling from a Lifesize conference room system? Dial 809231 with the keypad. |
Join Dr. Hahn and Dr. D’Agostino in the College of Osteopathic Medicine reception, and Dr. Hahn and Dr. White in the College of Biosciences reception following the commencement ceremony.
If you have problems connecting, call the KCU Help Desk at (816) 654-7700 or helpdesk@kcumb.edu.
Keynote Speaker
Ali S. Khan, MD, MPH
Dean, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Since July 2014, Dr. Khan has served as Dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where he is also a professor of epidemiology. Prior to that, he served as Director of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as leading numerous other divisions within the CDC throughout his career. He is the author of The Next Pandemic and serves on the WHO steering committee for the global outbreak alert and response network. Read more
Join Us on Social Media
Please share how you are celebrating your graduation. Submit photos and videos to ALmiller@kcumb.edu and use the hashtag #KCUgrad2020.
Graduation Boxes
Graduation boxes started shipping from the fulfillment center in Kansas City, MO on Friday, May 29. They should all be shipped no later than Tuesday, June 2 and will arrive 3-7 business days depending upon the destination (certain locations such as Hawaii or international will take longer). Please note that diploma covers will arrive with diplomas. Any questions regarding diplomas should be directed to the Registrar’s office.
Thank you for your patience as we navigate this challenging situation.
Hometown Press Release
To help you share your news, KCU provides you with a news release template to complete and send to your hometown newspaper.
April 6, 2020
Dear Class of 2020,
We were disappointed to announce on March 19th that KCU’s traditional commencement ceremony was canceled due to the restrictions placed on large gatherings during the coronavirus health crisis.
We recognize the importance of your ability to celebrate this tremendous achievement with friends, family and the KCU community after many years of dedication and hard work. Although you and your classmates are unable to come together in a customary commencement setting, KCU wants to make this occasion memorable for you and your family and friends.
On May 9, we will hold a virtual celebration in your honor that will take place through a commencement ceremony video. This video will be available for you and all your family and friends to view and will include remarks from President Marc B. Hahn, DO, and your dean along with a compelling keynote address. Dr. Hahn will also officially confer degrees upon all of our graduates.
In addition, you will soon receive a special memory box that will include those especially important items that are symbolic of your achievement:
- Full regalia (robe, hood, cap and tassel)
- Diploma cover
- Event program
- Gift certificate to purchase a diploma frame from your Student Government Association
- Gift card to Jack Stack BBQ (Jack Stack will ship anywhere in the U.S.)
- Special gift from the KCU Alumni Association
We hope this collection will help you enjoy a celebration with your loved ones. Please check your inbox for an email sent April 6 that includes a link to provide us your shipping address for your memory box delivery.
Please watch for an invitation by email with the exact time and place the video will be available. We encourage you to forward the link to family and friends so they can share with you in this virtual celebration.
In order to make the event as personal as possible, we'd like your help! Please send any class photos you’d like to share and incorporate into the Commencement video to universityevents@kcumb.edu by April 15, 2020.
We are here to answer any questions and to make this academic milestone as special as possible. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility during these unusual times.
Sincerely,
Martha Lawrence, Events and Marketing Manager
and
Jessica Criss, Senior Events Planner
Students
- Letter from Provost
- Schedule of Events
- Venue and Hotel Information
- Guest Hooder Information
- Graduation Miscellaneous & FAQ
- Diploma Information
- Senior Week - More information to come…
Families
- Schedule of Events
- Venue and Hotel Information
- Campus Map
- Webcast - Webcast & Video In order to accommodate friends and family members who are unable to attend the ceremony in Municipal Auditorium, KCU will provide a live webcast of the Commencement Ceremony. Please check back here for the webcast link. Shortly following graduation video of the Commencement Ceremony will be available online. Please watch for the link on the KCU homepage.
- Commencement Parking - One complimentary parking voucher will be available in the parking garage below the Barney Allis Plaza for all graduates. Enter the garage from Wyandotte or Central Streets between 12th and 13th streets. Well-lit tunnels with directional signage connect the garage to the Convention Facilities. Additional cars will be charged for parking. All additional parking options downtown can be found here.
- Photography - The University has combined photography services into one vendor: Lifetouch Photography of Des Moines, Iowa. Lifetouch photographers will take composite photos, class photo, hooding photos, diploma photos and a variety of candid’s. In addition to the basic photos, you will also be able to purchase additional photos from their gallery of University-sponsored events (not Senior Week), mounted photos and collages or a personal book of just you and some favorite campus and ceremony shots to remember this momentous occasion. All orders, payments and inquiries will be directly between Lifetouch and you. Visit their website for more information.
Faculty
Commencement 2019
May 11, 2019 | 9 a.m. - Noon | Municipal Auditorium
Congratulations! We are working very hard to make your graduation an exceptional day for you.
We need your help, however, by providing accurate and complete information, meeting all deadlines and informing the Registrar’s Office at 816-654-7190 of any changes to your legal name. For address or phone number changes please visit PowerCampus. It is especially important that the University is able to contact you quickly, so please keep the Registrar informed of your current information.
Congratulations! We are working very hard to make your graduation an exceptional day for you.
We need your help, however, by providing accurate and complete information, meeting all deadlines and informing the Registrar’s Office at 816-654-7193 of any changes to your legal name. For address or phone number changes please visit PowerCampus. It is especially important that the University is able to contact you quickly, so please keep the Registrar informed of your current information.
IMPORTANT - YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
- REGISTER FOR GRADUATION BY 11:59 P.M. ON SUNDAY, FEB. 25
- ORDER YOUR ATTIRE
- INVITE YOUR GUEST OR FACULTY HOODER (IF APPLICABLE)
Saturday, May 5, 2018 | 9 a.m.
Municipal Auditorium
Register for Graduation (Required)
This Commencement Form must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25. WE WILL NOT MAKE EXCEPTIONS TO ANY DEADLINES.
Attire (Required)
All orders are due by 11:59 p.m., Feb. 25. When on the site follow these instructions; click on the Graduation Cap & Gown tab at the top, right-hand side of the page; choose student; choose your degree (dual degree grads- choose doctor); add your height and weight and add to cart; submit your first and last name as it is on file with the registrar’s office; checkout. Your attire is provided free of charge to all graduates as a gift from the University.