KCU’s College of Biosciences holds pinning and hooding ceremonies

Kansas City University’s (KCU) College of Biosciences (COB) began modestly in 2005 with just 18 biomedical students enrolled. This year’s pinning ceremony—a rite of passage for members of the COB—honored more than 80 students.

Student Doctor Daniel Barchers, a 2024 COB alumnus who is now a member of KCU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2028, served as keynote speaker and delivered an inspiring message. “Nothing great can be achieved in your life without enthusiasm. It is an internal fire that will propel you forward when the going gets tough. When the outside world becomes cold and harsh, it is your internal engine that will keep you warm…Only you can turn those negatives into positives providing the fuel to feed your flame. And know this, your enthusiasm, your flame, is truly internal. Only you can allow it to be extinguished. So, do all you can to protect it,” he shared.

Among the students entering the COB, 79 are pursuing KCU’s one-year pre-health professions Master of Science of Biomedical Sciences. Others are working toward a two-year research track.

KCU also celebrated students in the Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program with a pinning and hooding ceremony that followed.

For members of the pinning class, the ceremony symbolized advancement into a doctoral-level program focused on training professionals who will make a difference in the clinical practice of psychology. Third-year students received hoods in recognition of completing two years of course work in the PsyD program. Additionally, they have successfully passed the qualifying exam and are now officially doctoral candidates and eligible for their clinical rotations.

Sarah Getch, PhD, program director of Health Service Psychology and assistant provost for accreditation, recognized scholarship recipients. Riley Timmons received the PsyD Diversity Scholarship. Lindsey Gack, Abby Bomball, Cassidy Leighty and Sloane McKinney were awarded Presidential Scholarships.

In total, 24 students received pins and 22 others completed two years of study to earn their master’s degrees.

Edward O’Conner, PhD, provost and executive vice president for Academic, Research and Student Affairs shared remarks. “Commit to being the best version of yourself one year from now because the greatest part of this entire experience is that you all can win -- every single student in this room can achieve his or her goal,” he said. “Dreaming is fine, goal setting is good, action plans are better. Kansas City University exists to help you and all of our students achieve their dreams and by doing so make our world a better place.