Legacy Lives on through New Scholarship Established in honor and memory of Benoyd “Butch” Myers Ellison, KCKJC Class of 1959 Benoyd “Butch” Myers Ellison was born during segregation and WWII in Kansas City Kansas in April of 1939. When he…
Former KCKCC Instructor Honored in Virtual Scholarship Fundraiser
Former KCKCC Instructor Honored in Virtual Scholarship Fundraiser Plans for the 10th annual Philip Miller Memorial Scholarship Reading are underway. The reading honors Phil Miller, a former Kansas City Kansas Community College faculty member known for his love of poetry and for promoting literary writing…
Retirement in a Pandemic by Curtis V. Smith, Ph.D.
Retirement in a Pandemic by Curtis V. Smith, Ph.D. Three years ago, the thought of retirement seemed far away. I was swamped working as the interim-dean for the Math-Science-Business and Technology Division, teaching microbiology in the evenings and participating on…
KCKJC Alumna Esther Foreman’s 103rd Birthday Celebration
Thank you so much to everyone who sent in a card, donated to the Cooper-Foreman Heirloom and Native Gardens, and participated in our online birthday party for Ms. Esther. She was so surprised and thrilled so many people took the…
Q&A with Alumnus Dr. Clait E. Braun C’59
Dr. Clait E. Braun is a graduate from Kansas City Kansas Junior College Class of 1959. After attending KCKJC, Dr. Braun went on to earn his BS in technical agronomy (soil science) from Kansas State University in 1962. Then, his…
The story of “Reparations” by KCKCC Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Justin Binek
“Reparations” is part of a larger long-term songwriting project of mine involving poems written by my friend, Kathryn Sparks. A couple of years ago, Kathryn sent me several collections of her poetry, with a note saying that several composers had…
KCKCC Art Gallery to host “Audacity: The March to Women’s Rights”
“Audacity: The March to Women’s Rights” is a show of art and poetry inspired by the work of local Kansas City artist, Gloria Heifner. Gloria shares portraits and stories of ten American women, from Sojourner Truth to Gloria Steinem and…
Lessons in Opposing Opinions and Respect, by Jamie Wright C’07
Dr. Ewa Unoke is a professor at KCKCC, head of the Political Science/Pre-Law program. This man made a huge impact in my life in 2007. I took his class called Foreign Policy/International Relations. He gave a book* to the class…
Stephen Derfelt, KCKCC Alumnus C’12, recognized by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice
Stephen Derfelt, CFSP, a funeral director with Derfelt Funeral Homes of Southeast Kansas, has recently qualified for the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. A number of professions grant special recognition…
Q&A with Faris Ha Ha, KCKCC TEC Alumnus C’07
Faris Ha Ha is the proud owner of Ha Ha’s Heating and Cooling, LLC. He also has other businesses in real estate and a restaurant called Ha Ha’s Pizza. He graduated from the Kansas City Area Technical School, now known…