By Sophie De Rouin / Staff Writer

Missouri Valley College is gearing up to honor the Class of 2024 at its upcoming commencement ceremony. Scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday May 4, the event will take place at Gregg-Mitchell Field on the MVC campus. 

Among the 230 graduating students there are 210 undergraduates, eight associates degree recipients and 12 master’s degree awardees, each marking the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and academic achievement.

Cris Aguilar, one of the graduates who will be receiving his Bachelors of Criminal Justice, speaks out about his emotions being heightened with graduation approaching.  

“I will miss all of the connections I have made while being here,” Aguilar said. “The amazing classmates and teammates that I have met are going to be the hardest to leave.”

This year’s commencement ceremony promises to be especially inspiring, with Mr. Mathew Gass, president of Brightli’s central region, set to deliver the keynote address. Brightli stands as one of the nation’s foremost nonprofit behavioral health and addiction treatment organizations, making Gass an ideal choice to impart wisdom and encouragement to the graduating class. As an alumnus of MVC himself, Gass embodies the college’s values and mission, particularly in his dedication to expanding healthcare access throughout mid-Missouri and beyond. 

Dr. Joseph Alsobrook, interim vice president of academic affairs, will have the distinction of awarding two deserving students with the coveted Charles L. Bacon Distinguished Service Award at the ceremony. Voted upon by the senior class, this esteemed award recognizes those who have shown extraordinary leadership, devotion, and dedication to the MVC community. 

This is a very special day for many students who are able to share this occasion with their close family and friends. 

Blanca Alcalde, a Senior at Missouri Valley College is most excited to have her family from Spain attending the ceremony. 

“To be able to share this special moment with my family means a lot to me,” she said. “And of course to have my friends here who have been my family during these years and always will be.”

Many graduates experience a mix of emotions during these last couple of days of being college students. Katelyn Estep another graduate of the class of 2024 has dealt with these emotions as well. 

“I feel very excited to start the next chapter of my life even though I am sad to be leaving the amazing people I met here,” Estep said. 

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed on the Viking Sports Network, enabling friends, family, and well-wishers from around the globe to join in the celebration of academic achievement. Additionally, preparations have been made to relocate the ceremony to the Burns Athletic Center in the event of inclement weather, ensuring that the festivities proceed smoothly regardless of external conditions.