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Information for Families and Guests

 

 Helpful Information

Directions to Campus

All commencement ceremonies are held in the Multipurpose Building (also known as the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center) (the arena where basketball games are held).  The address of the Multipurpose Building is 500 South Washington Street, Warrensburg, MO 64093. Click  here for campus locations, then choose the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center from the list of Entertainment locations, then click the icon for driving directions. 

Hotel Accommodations

The following is a list of some Warrensburg and surrounding area accommodations: 

Warrensburg: 

Comfort Inn - Warrensburg Station 
609 E. Russell Ave. 
660-429-4848 or 800-228-5150 

Days Inn 
204 Cleveland 
660-429-2400 or 800-329-7466 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites
1005 Hawthorne Blvd.
660-656-2020

www.ihg.com

Super 8 Motel 
439 E. Russell Ave. 
660-429-2183 or 800-800-8000 

Cena's Nook Bed & Breakfast
110 East Hale Lake Road
660-624-1925
www.cenasnook.com 

Warrensburg Fairfield Inn & Suites
355 E. Russell Ave.
 
660-422-3540
www.marriott.com/DMOFI
 

Best Western
626 E. Russell Ave. 
660-747-3000 
www.bestwestern.com

 

 

 

Knob Noster (10 Miles East of Warrensburg): 

Econo Lodge 
2340 W. Irish Ln. 
660-563-3000 

AirBnb 
611 Hillcrest Dr. 
Book online 

 

 

Sedalia (28 Miles East of Warrensburg):  

Best Western State Fair Inn 
3120 S. Limit Ave. 
660-826-6100 

Budget Host Super 7 Motel 
5650 S. Limit Ave. 
660-827-0215 

Comfort Inn 
3600 W. Broadway Blvd. 
660-829-5050 

Econo Lodge Truman Inn 
3501 W. Broadway Blvd. 
660-826-8400 

Holiday Inn Express 
4001 W. Broadway Blvd. 
660-826-4000 

Super 8 Motel 
3402 W. Broadway Blvd. 
660-827-5890 

 

Parking

Ample parking is available near the Multipurpose Building (also known as the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center) (500 S. Washington Street) at no charge. Disability parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in spots marked on both the east and west sides of the building.  
 
Click here to view parking map.  

Seating

Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are not required.  

The Multipurpose Building (also known as the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center) provides easy access for guests with permanent or temporary disabilities. Seating for those guests is located throughout the arena. Guests with special needs are encouraged to arrive early.  

Spaces to accommodate guests in wheelchairs, with one companion, are available in two areas: (1) on the second floor (via the elevator in the east hallway) of the north (home team) stands and (2) the first row of the south (away team) stands via a ramp on the east side of the stands.  

Additional seating for those who are unable to climb stairs, and one companion, are so marked and located in the first few rows of the north (home team) stands. 

An American Sign Language interpreter will be present for the ceremony. Hearing impaired guests are encouraged to sit near the stage in the stands to right of the stage (north/home side). Due to space limitations, we ask that only one other person be seated with the guest in this area. 

Commencement is not a ticketed event, and it is not necessary to purchase tickets in accessible seating areas. 

Ceremony Dates/Times

The Multipurpose Building (also known as the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center)  (500 S. Washington Street) will open 1 hour prior to each commencement ceremony and will close approximately 15 minutes after the end of each ceremony.

 Ceremony times are typically decided in February for the May ceremonies and in September for the December ceremonies.  The schedule of events for both May and December can be found here.

Disability Accommodations

Guests with temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to arrive early for parking and seating accommodations. 

Parking 

Ample parking is available near the Multipurpose Building (also known as the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center)  (500 S. Washington Street) at no charge. Disability parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in spots marked on both the east and west sides of the building.  
 
Click here to view parking map.  

Seating 

The Multipurpose Building (also known as the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center)  (500 S. Washington Street) will open one hour prior to each commencement ceremony. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Tickets are not required.   

The Multipurpose Building (also known as the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center)  provides easy access for guests with permanent or temporary disabilities. Seating for those guests is located throughout the arena. Guests with special needs are encouraged to arrive early.  

Spaces to accommodate guests in wheelchairs, with one companion, are available in two areas: (1) on the second floor (via the elevator in the east hallway) of the north (home team) stands and (2) the first row of the south (away team) stands via a ramp on the east side of the stands.  

Additional seating for those who are unable to climb stairs, and one companion, are so marked and located in the first few rows of the north (home team) stands. Space to store walkers is available at each end of the stands. 

An American Sign Language interpreter will be present for the ceremony. Hearing impaired guests are encouraged to sit near the stage in the stands to right of the stage (north/home side). Due to space limitations, we ask that only one other person be seated with the guest in this area. 

 

Photography

Taking pictures and videotaping are allowed, but tripods and monopods are not permitted. Cameras must be battery-operated. Photographs may only be taken from the stands and guests are asked to not block the aisles or view of other guests. Only press photographers with proper credentials are permitted on the arena floor. 

A professional photographer from GradImages will take 3-4 photographs of each degree candidate as they cross the stage. Students will receive a digital proof of their photos on an order card within 5 to 7 days following the ceremony.  

Students are not obligated to purchase any of these photos. GradImages may be contacted Monday-Friday 8-5 (central time) at 800-261-2576 and at giservice@gradimages.net. Students can register with GradImages to ensure that their graduation proofs can be delivered in a timely manner. Students may also select "Pre-event Registration" to enter their e-mail address and add addresses of family and friends that would like to view the proofs. There is no obligation to order photographs; this is merely a service. 

 

 Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the ceremony last?

The ceremony will last approximately 60-75 minutes. Before the ceremony please make a plan to meet your graduate outside of the building.  The recessional will lead students outside.  At the end of the ceremony, participants and guests will have 15 minutes to exit the building so that preparations for the next commencement ceremony or event may begin. 

Is there a live stream of the ceremony for family and friends at home to watch?

Yes! Broadcasting will begin 30 minutes prior to start of the ceremony and can be found at https://www.ucmo.edu/current-students/office-of-the-registrar-and-student-records/graduation-and-commencement/index.php. It may take several seconds for the video to load and begin playing. 

Which side of the arena will my student be seated in?

Degree candidates are seated on the floor of the auditorium. There is no way to predict which side of the arena a student will end up seated on. Parents and guests will be able to get photos by sitting on any side of the auditorium. 

When will my student walk across the stage?

 

Undergraduate students are seated by college.  Graduate students are seated by college and then by program, and will be seated with their "program hooder".  This is the faculty member who will hood the students during the ceremony.  Students will approach the stage from the right, cross the stage, and come down the left side.  

Why is my student not listed in the printed Commencement Program?

To be included in the printed commencement program, students had to submit their graduation application and be approved for graduation approximately 10 weeks before the date of the ceremony. The printed Commencement Program is not an official document, nor is it proof of graduation. All students participating in the ceremony are degree candidates and will be evaluated for completing graduation requirements in the weeks following the actual ceremony. 

When are diplomas mailed to students?

Students who successfully complete all degree requirements will be emailed confirmation of successful degree completion 2-3 weeks after the ceremony and mailed their diploma in 8-12 weeks after the commencement ceremony.  Students who do not successfully complete all degree requirements will be sent an email outlining their deficiencies.  

 

 

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