The University of Missouri-Kansas City is pleased to announce that in-person ceremonies honoring its 2020 and 2021 graduates will be hosted on Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16, at Kauffman Stadium. 

UMKC Commencement at the K will be a rain-or-shine event. Please monitor weather forecasts and be prepared to participate amid light rain showers if they occur. Guests may bring small umbrellas (no golf umbrella) into Kauffman Stadium as long as they do not interfere with other guests’ enjoyment of the ceremony. For the comfort and consideration of all guests, it is requested that those using umbrellas be considerate of those around them.

In case of heavy downpours or other severe weather, UMKC will follow the Royals’ standard weather protocol. The team will make the call as to whether the ceremony must be delayed; that information will be shared within the stadium, on the MLB Ballpark app and on the UMKC Commencement 2021 web page and the university’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and safety restrictions in place during 2020, UMKC found creative ways to safely celebrate its graduates: packets of surprise mementos, lighting up Kansas City landmarks Roo blue and gold at night and virtual ceremonies with distinguished guests. In December, Kansas City native and actor Don Cheadle was the speaker.

Nonetheless, students communicated their desire to return to in-person commencement as soon as reasonably possible. UMKC leaders worked with community leaders to find a way to make this happen.

“During the pandemic, we celebrated the milestone of graduating from our university with all of the pomp and circumstance we could safely create,” said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal. “We are happy that now we can return to an in-person event that is more like the traditional ceremony we’ve come to expect – and at the home of our beloved Kansas City Royals. We are grateful that the organization could accommodate our 2020 and 2021 graduates.”

Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman said he is delighted to help UMKC graduates celebrate commencement together, at the K.

"The last twelve months have been difficult on everyone, including the education community,”  said John Sherman, chairman and CEO of the Royals. “Students, teachers and administrators throughout our country have worked tirelessly during these uncertain times, so providing this opportunity for UMKC graduates to be celebrated in person, with their families, is an honor for our organization."

UMKC will host four ceremonies in Kauffman Stadium, three dedicated to the class of 2021 and one dedicated to graduates from 2020 who return for the ceremony. More than 2,300 graduates will be able to cross the stage, with COVID-19 restrictions in place. The event also will be livestreamed.

UMKC is working diligently with groups across campus to plan this in-person Commencement celebration, including External Relations, Student Affairs and the Student Government Association.

Chancellor Agrawal expressed gratitude to the community for helping to make students’ commencement wishes come true.

“These in-person ceremonies would not be possible without the many community partners who stepped up with possible solutions,” Agrawal said. “The home of the Royals is a wonderful venue and we look forward to May and the ability to celebrate together with our students and their families.”

Commencement schedule

Light Up the Night 2021

UMKC graduates and their families are encouraged to take pics around Kansas City that are lit up in blue and gold. Here's what will be illuminated:

• Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, sunset on May 15 
• Union Station, sunset on May 15 and 16
• Kansas City Marriott Downtown, sunset on May 15
• City Hall of Kansas City, Missouri, sunset on May 15
• Power and Light Building, sunset May 14 to 16
• The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, sunset May 15 and 16
• Durwood Stadium on UMKC Volker Campus, sunset May 14 to 16
• Roo Statue on UMKC Volker Campus
• James C. Olson Performing Arts Center on UMKC Volker Campus
• Local fountains will be dyed or illuminated blue all day May 15
  Children's Fountain
  Fountain in Mill Creek Park
  Spirit of Freedom Fountain
  The Concourse Fountain
  The Women's Leadership Fountain
  Meyer Circle Sea Horse Fountain
  Tower Park