May 4, 2023
Candidates for degrees and certificates will be honored in ceremonies at 4 and 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, May 19, 2023, JCCC graduates, their families and their friends will gather at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) to celebrate 2,856 graduates in two commencement ceremonies. Candidates for certificates and Associate of Applied Science degrees will be recognized at 4 p.m. and candidates for Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Fine Arts and Associate of General Studies degrees will be recognized at 7:30 p.m. Both ceremonies will be in the GYM building on JCCC’s main campus.
Ceremonies recognizing graduates from specialized programs will be held throughout May; details regarding these special events are available on the JCCC Commencement webpage.
“Commencement is such a special season at JCCC,” said JCCC President Dr. Andy Bowne. “It represents so much accomplishment on the part of our students. Each and every one of them has a lot to be proud of. They each set a goal — and realized it. The certificates and degrees they earn will equip them to take their next steps with confidence. They are moving on with the knowledge and skills they set out to gain in our classrooms, but also knowing they can embark on and achieve big things.”
Interesting Facts About JCCC’s 2023 Graduates
- The 2,856 graduates earned a cumulative 3,299 degrees and certificates. They include six students who have applied to graduate with Associate of Fine Arts degrees — a new degree offered by JCCC this year — and two students who have applied to graduate with the new Personal Training Certificate.
- 682 graduates will be awarded Dean’s Honors, signifying that they completed a minimum of 30 hours of coursework at JCCC for an associate degree or completed 24 program hours or more toward a certificate. Graduates with Dean’s Honors also earned a 3.5 to 3.99 JCCC cumulative grade point average (GPA).
- 145 graduates will be awarded President’s Honors. These graduates have earned a 4.00 JCCC cumulative GPA. To be eligible for this distinction, graduates must have completed a minimum of 30 hours at JCCC for an associate degree or completed a certificate with total program hours of 24 or more.
- 28 graduates self-report that they participated in the Kansas Promise Scholarship Program — a state-sponsored scholarship program that enables qualified students in select programs to earn a degree or certificate at no cost, which provides a path to high demand, high-value jobs in Kansas. In exchange for financial support, graduates agree to live and work in Kansas for two years after completing their program of study.
Ceremonies to Feature Leo Morton as Commencement Speaker
Each JCCC Commencement ceremony will include comments from two speakers.
- Graduate Carson Couch is the student speaker for this year’s commencement ceremonies. Originally from Olathe, Kansas, Couch is graduating with Associate of Arts – Liberal Arts and Associate of Science – General Science degrees. As a JCCC student, he has embodied campus leadership as a Student Life Ambassador, as chair of the Student Senate Budget Committee and as vice chair of the Service and Fundraising Committee. Under his leadership on Student Senate, he distributed more than $35,000 in Senate funds to clubs and organizations and helped create Student Senate Service Week, when senators and students volunteer to support several area organizations and activities. Couch made the President’s Honor Roll every semester he attended JCCC.
- Leo Morton, corporate executive, academic administrator and engineer, will deliver the commencement address. From 2008 to 2017, Morton served as chancellor of the University of Missouri – Kansas City. During his time there, Morton improved community engagement, enrollment and graduation rates and created a strategic plan for diversity and inclusion. Today, Morton is president and chief operating officer for DeBruce Companies.
About JCCC
Johnson County Community College is a cornerstone of Johnson County, Kansas. It opened in 1969 and provides high-quality education and cultural experiences for every stage of learning and life. Our small class sizes, experienced faculty, affordable tuition rates and extensive on-campus support and resources ensure JCCC students have access to the education and training they need to transform their lives and strengthen their communities.
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