NCMC Commencement and Honors Brunch Held

North Central Missouri College 2026 Commencement was held on May 9, 2026. Due to the increasing number of graduates, NCMC held three commencement ceremonies to accommodate graduates and their guests. Ceremonies were held at 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. at the Ketcham Community Center on the Main Campus in Trenton, MO. The morning ceremony, beginning at 9:00 a.m., honored Associate in Arts, Associate in Arts in Teaching, Associate in General Studies, and AAS non-allied health degrees, and the afternoon ceremony, beginning at 1:00 p.m., honored certificate, Practical Nursing, AAS Allied Health programs, and certificate allied health programs. The evening ceremony, beginning at 5:00 p.m., honored Associate in Nursing (ADN) degrees. Commencement was also live-streamed at piratesdigitialmedia.com.  View full list of ceremony details

2026 marked North Central Missouri College’s Centennial year and the 100^th graduating class with a record-breaking number of graduates, with 567 degrees and certificates awarded to 475 individual graduates, breaking all previous graduation records. NCMC awarded 106 associate in arts, 32 associate in arts in teaching, 232 associate in applied science, 6 associate in general studies, 7 associate in science, and 184 certificates. The average age was 24.9, with the oldest graduate 61 and the youngest 18. Graduates came from California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas, and Utah, and the countries of Dominican Republic, Japan, Spain, the United States, and Venezuela.

North Central Missouri College Distinguished Alum Major Nicholas Sottler, Trustee Emeritus Dr. John Holcomb, and Professor Emerita Sue Nichols will gave the commencement addresses. Nicholas Sottler spoke at the 9:00 am morning ceremony, Dr. Holcomb spoke at 1:00 pm afternoon speaker, and Sue Nichols spoke at the 5:00 p.m. speaker. Faculty Senate President Ronda Copple led the processional, and the Missouri National Guard 548^th Transportation Company presented the colors. Faculty Marshalls were Maryellen Harman, Jack Green, Stephen Williamson, Jenna Ingram, Lorinda Ross, Mallary Hann, Vel Westbrook, Ashtyn Wilson, Korynn Skipper, Sophia Swink, and Shanna Thomas. NCMC student Paul Stover performed the national anthem for the 9:00 a.m. ceremony, and Sarabeth Michael sung the national anthem for the 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. ceremonies. Tailer Morrison, Student Senate President, provided the welcome and evocation at the ceremonies. Dr. Tristan Londre, Vice President of Academic Affairs, presented the class, and Dr. Lenny Klaver, President, conferred the degrees. President Klaver with President of the Board of Trustees, presented degrees and honors and Dr. Kristen Alley, Vice President of Student Affairs, gave the turning of the tassel. Chris Hoffman, trustee, and alumnus, provided the alumni with a welcome.

Also, on Saturday, the Vicki Wheeler Honors brunch was held, recognizing twenty-three NCMC graduates for their accomplishments. The NCMC Outstanding Student Award is given annually to only one student in each degree program. The faculty selects students based on academic merits, campus involvement, and leadership in the classroom.

Students honored

The NCMC Honors Brunch is named after the late Vicki Wheeler, a longtime NCMC faculty member.

Photo: Honor Graduates. NCMC graduates were honored in their program for their academic merits, involvement, and leadership in the classroom at the annual Honors brunch.