NCMC Graduates 420 During Weekend Ceremonies

North Central Missouri College held graduation ceremonies for its 91st class on Saturday with family and friends gathering at the Ketcham Community Center to see 420 students receive 440 degrees and certificates.
The class is the third largest graduating class in college history and the students graduating in the morning were celebrated by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who said the day was all about them.
Secretary Ashcroft told students that the day was a “celebration” of their hard work and determination, but cautioned that often when you complete something, life tends to make a challenge harder. He noted that his path to statewide office was not straight, having earned a degree in engineering before attending law school and holding “numerous” jobs before being elected to his current post.
“Life rarely takes a straight path, but if you persevere, set your mind on your goals, help others and accept help when you need it, you can succeed…I’m an attorney and a politician and I’m succeeding. You’re neither of those terrible things, so I know you can succeed,” he quipped.
Secretary Ashcroft encouraged students to remember those who have helped and encouraged them and return the favor by doing the same for others. He asked that students be active in society – not just by voting, but by joining causes and social organizations.
“Use your ability, time and treasure for things of lasting importance,” he encouraged, telling them to use their education as a springboard.
“Remember your principles, never give up, trust in yourself, seek wisecounsel and always do your best,” he concluded.
Also speaking to students was NCMC Student Senate President Katelyn Galloway, who related a story of elephants tethered with a small rope, who could have broken free, but didn’t because they had tried once when they were little and were unsuccessful.
“How many of us believe we can’t do something simply because we failed once before?” she asked.
Ms. Galloway said as a high school student she was the one who never wanted to read out loud. Her FFA advisor encouraged her to enter a speaking contest and, on her first try, she was awarded last place. She went on to be successful and when she thanked her advisor, she was told, “It was all you, kid!”
She urged students to “untie the rope” and take on something that is equally terrifying and fascinating.
“Look at me, stomping my fear to the ground, “ she said as she spoke before a packed house at the KCC. She concluded by reminding students that success often depends on your mindset.
“It’s not who you are that holds you back. It’s who you think you’re not,” she said, before going on to tell the graduates to enjoy their hard-earned success.
“It’s all you, graduate!” she said.
NCMC President Dr. Lenny Klaver told students they have become part of NCMC history, part of it’s legacy and part of the future. He noted that NCMC graduates “are extraordinary and they will make a difference in the world” and encouraged them to just be themselves as “everybody else is taken.”
As students moved their tassels, Associate Vice President Dr. Kristen Alley gave them a charge to “go into the world and do well and go into the world and do good.” At the conclusion of the ceremony, Chris Hoffman, a member of the NCMC board of trustees and an alumni, gave the alumni welcome and told students to remember where they’re from and to always “come home.”
Longtime Trenton physician and former NCMC Board of Trustees member Dr. Albert Cross gave the afternoon address to students graduating from the college’s allied health programs, who he described “as my favorite group of students.”
“You are such a diverse group of students,” he said. “Some of you always know that you wanted to be a caregiver while some of you made that decision as you got to high school and began thinking about your life’s career. And some of you have been out in the world for many years and decided that what you were doing was not satisfying. You are what we call the non-traditional students and you are a lot like me as it took me several years to complete my education and get into the profession I love.”
He told graduates to be proud of not only what they accomplished, but to be proud of where they achieved their accomplishment.
“Be proud of NCMC,” he said, pointing out the many accolades the college has received in regard to its programs. “Promote your college and tell everyone you see what a great education you received here. You could be doing another student a big favor by sharing your story. No one does what we do better and we can do it at half the cost.”
Dr. Cross concluded with a quote from Winston Churchill and encouraged students to live by those words.
“You make a living by what your get…but you make a life by what you give,” he said. “You have prepared yourself for life of giving and by Churchill’s standards, you prepared yourself for a wonderful life. And that is what I wish for you…a wonderful life.”
NCMC board member and alumnus Chris Hoffman told graduates that he, too, felt that had been well prepared by their education at NCMC and said that while he hoped he didn’t need their services any time soon, he knew that he would be well taken care of when the time came.