East Central College   

Month: May 2025

ECC to Celebrate Class of 2025 at 55th Annual Commencement

May 5, 2025 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College will celebrate the next generation of nurses, teachers, machinists, coders, artists, and more during its 55th Annual Commencement on Saturday, May 17, at noon in the Donald D. Shook Student Center (DSSC) on the Union campus.

More than 250 graduates—the largest group in recent years—are expected to walk across the stage to receive degrees and certificates.

Due to the increasing number of participants, tickets are required this year for entry into the gymnasium. Overflow seating with a livestream will be available in The Dive on the first floor of DSSC, the reception tent outdoors in the Quad, and inside the John Edson Anglin Performing Arts Center in Hansen Hall.

“Commencement is always one of the most meaningful moments of the academic year,” said ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer. “It’s a time to celebrate our students’ achievements and look ahead to the future they are building for themselves, their families, and their communities.”

A reception will follow in the Quad, weather permitting, where graduates and guests can gather and celebrate together.

Recognition Events

The Commencement Ceremony is part of a full day of recognition activities:

  • Nursing Pinning Ceremony – 9 a.m.
  • Commencement Ceremony – 12 p.m.
  • High School Equivalency (HSE) Recognition Ceremony – 3 p.m.

All three ceremonies will be streamed live on East Central College’s Facebook page.

Tickets are not required for the Nursing Pinning or HSE ceremonies.

While there will be no keynote speaker this year, the Commencement program will include special faculty recognitions and the formal conferral of degrees and certificates.

Guest Information & Seating

Doors to the DSSC gymnasium will open at 11 a.m. Guests are asked to be seated and keep walkways clear during the processional and recessional of graduates and faculty.

Please note that confetti cannons will be used at the end of the ceremony. These will make a loud noise, which may startle some guests.

Ticketing Notes:

  • Separate tickets are required for floor and bleacher seating.
  • Floor seating is reserved for guests who cannot sit in bleachers; graduates requested this on their RSVP.
  • Small children sitting on a ticketed adult’s lap do not require a ticket.
  • Please check with your graduate about tickets prior to the ceremony.

To avoid congestion, guests are encouraged to prearrange a meeting spot outside the building following the ceremony.

Students Recognized in Annual Writing Contest

May 4, 2025 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College students were recently honored for their outstanding work in academic and creative writing through the annual Poetry and Research Writing Contest hosted by the English and Humanities Department.

The contest featured two categories—Research and Poetry—and recognized students whose submissions demonstrated originality, critical thought, and strong writing skills. Winners received cash prizes and will have their work published in the upcoming edition of ECC’s Literary and Art Review.

In the Research category:

  • First Place — Kristen Cook, “Learning Through Listening: Exploring the Legitimacy of Audiobooks in Education” ($100)
  • Second Place — Taylor James, “The Deal with Amtrak and Springfield, Missouri” ($50)
  • Third Place — Reis, “The Luminescent Soul: Gnostic Philosophy, Transgenderism, and Christian Transprejudice” ($25)
  • Honorable Mention — Kendall Krause, “The Story Behind Kendrick Lamar’s Superbowl LIX Halftime Show”

In the Poetry category:

  • First Place — Kenny Jacks, “You are my Sunshine (Veronah’s Poem)” ($100)
  • Second Place — Lauren Hooey, “Five Year Plan” ($50)
  • Third Place — Hope Bratch, “Women at War” ($25)
  • Honorable Mention — Bailey Weber, “A Different Kind of Fairy Tale”

The contest was judged by ECC faculty members John Hardecke and Dr. Aurelia VonTress, who evaluated entries for originality, depth, and technical quality.

The Literary and Art Review, ECC’s annual publication celebrating student creativity, will be released later this spring and will feature these award-winning pieces alongside other selected student work.

For more information about ECC’s English and Humanities Department or the Literary and Art Review, visit www.eastcentral.edu.