Nov. 19, 2018

Kansas City Area Development Council CEO to address graduates

Tim Cowden

Tim Cowden, the president and chief executive officer of the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC), will address the University’s graduates and their families during its winter commencement ceremonies Friday, Dec. 14.

“Tim and his team at the Kansas City Area Development Council are on the leading edge of discussing and executing what is needed throughout our region and beyond and what Northwest provides – talented and strong, engaged citizens,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “Tim’s connection to sector needs and understanding of and championing the importance of lifelong learning and leadership will provide for a dynamic commencement address. His work and life experiences and views of today’s and tomorrow’s environment will help provide a poignant message to our graduating students as they take profession-based learning to their fields and uplift the communities in which they will live. We are thrilled to have Tim join us and look forward to his remarks.”

Cowden leads the strategic direction and vision for the Kansas City Area Development Council, from global positioning of the Kansas City market to KCADC investor and client relationships. KCADC drives new corporate attraction in partnership with economic development leadership across Kansas City’s 18-county, two-state region. Cowden joined KCADC in 1998 and has more than 30 years of experience in economic development that also included senior positions in Texas and Utah.

Cowden and his team work with a variety of businesses that reflect the diverse strengths of the Kansas City region. They include investments focused on advanced manufacturing, corporate headquarters, shared services operations, information technology, logistics and distribution, and animal, bio and life sciences. KCADC has twice been honored as a “Best in Class” Regional Economic Development Organization by the Development Counsellors International “Winning Strategies” survey of national site location consultants.

Northwest will host commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. Dec. 14 for bachelor’s degree candidates representing the School of Agricultural Sciences, the Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business and Professional Studies, and the School of Education. A 3 p.m. ceremony will celebrate all master’s degree candidates as well as bachelor’s degree candidates representing the College of Arts and Sciences, and the schools of Computer Science and Information Systems, Communication and Mass Media, and Health Science and Wellness. Both ceremonies are in Bearcat Arena.

Doors will open to guests one hour prior to each ceremony. Shuttle services will be provided from parking lots 62 and 63 to the Lamkin Activity Center circle drive.

About 120 students are expected to receive master’s or specialist degrees through the University’s graduate school. More than 300 undergraduate students from Northwest’s College of Arts and Sciences and six professional schools are expected to receive bachelor’s degrees.

No tickets are necessary to attend either ceremony. To accommodate guests who cannot attend, Northwest will offer a live online stream of the ceremonies at www.nwmissouri.edu/live.   

Graduates along with their families and friends also are invited to interact with Northwest’s social media before, during and after the commencement ceremonies. Users may share their graduation memories on Twitter by using the hashtag #NWGrad, or submit graduation photos to Northwest’s Flickr feed. Photos can be taken with a mobile phone and sent to nwgrad@nwmissouri.edu. Submitted photos will appear immediately on Northwest’s Flickr page at www.flickr.com/nwmostate/.

Candidates for graduation may pick up caps and gowns on the first floor of the Administration Building from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, through Thursday, Dec. 13, or one hour before each ceremony in the Student Recreation Center.

Complete details about commencement at Northwest are posted at www.nwmissouri.edu/graduation.