2024 Graduation + Commencement

Congratulations Graduates!

The 2024 KVCC Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Augusta Civic Center. This date is subject to change if circumstances require. Please review the 2023 KVCC Commencement Ceremony details further down the page for more specific event information.

Commencement at KVCC is a treasured tradition. There are key distinctions between graduation and commencement.

Graduation is the process of completing program requirements as indicated by the course audit and by settling all financial obligations to the college. Once final grades are posted, your record will be evaluated, and your diploma will be sent to you via mail to your address on file. The process of auditing all students for graduation takes an average of 6-8 weeks from the end of the semester.

Commencement on the other hand, refers to the spring ceremony, officiated by the President of Kennebec Valley Community College, to celebrate the importance of your academic accomplishments. It is also a time for Kennebec Valley Community College, the Maine Community College System board of Trustees, the Maine Community College System President, administrators and faculty to acknowledge the exceptional efforts you have shown in earning your certificate or degree.

This section of the KVCC website provides a thorough breakdown of everything you need as a graduate to prepare for both graduation and commencement. To begin the process, all students who are completing a degree or certificate in May or August 2024 must complete the graduation application before February 8th, 2024.

Graduation Application

To begin the process, all students who are completing a degree or certificate in May or August 2024 must complete the graduation application by Friday, February 8th, 2024.

2024 Commencement Ceremony Details

The 2024 KVCC Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Augusta Civic Center. This date is subject to change if circumstances require.

All graduates participating in the KVCC Commencement Ceremony should be at the Augusta Civic Center by 9:00 a.m. Please enter through the doors at the North Wing (on the right side of the ACC). Please note: All other guests must enter through the front doors.

Guest seating is first come, first serve. Doors open at 9:00 a.m.

Commencement Regalia

Commencement Regalia

Commencement regalia are the black robes and caps, sometimes referred to as mortar boards, worn by graduating students. Regalia may also include stoles and cords that denote traditions of academic achievement. Please click on the section about Honors & Awards to understand more about these distinctions.

KVCC graduates order their regalia by filling out the graduation application form, which must be completed no later than February 8, 2024.

Diploma Information

Once final grades are posted, your record will be evaluated and your diploma in a KVCC diploma case will be sent to you via mail to your address on file. The process of auditing all students for graduation takes an average of 6-8 weeks from the end of the semester. If your address changes, please update the college by emailing the registrar: registrar@kvcc.me.edu

Graduate Survey

Congratulations on your achievement!

The Senior Survey is a terrific opportunity to tell us about your experiences here at KVCC.

As a graduate, you have valuable information to provide that will help us to improve the student experience.

Your answers are confidential and the survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete.

Thank you for sharing your viewpoints!

The survey can be found here.

Honors and Awards

Honors

For the purpose of wearing honors cords at commencement, graduating students must meet the cumulative GPA requirements listed below:

Honors- 3.50 to 3.699 receives one silver honor cord
High Honors- 3.700 and higher receives one gold honor cord
Graduating students who have a 4.0 will receive a medal to wear during the ceremony

The calculation of the commencement GPA does not include spring semester grades and is calculated at the end of the fall term.

If you have any questions about the honors policy, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 207-453-5128 or email registrar@kvcc.me.edu.

Additional Awards

John H. Lapoint Leadership Award: Student of the Year
Each year, 7 students, one from each of the Maine Community Colleges, are honored with this award and designated Student of the Year. Students are nominated and selected by faculty, staff, and administration based on their academic success, campus and community service, leadership and the ability to achieve their dreams. This graduating student provides the student address at the commencement ceremony.

Lapoint Leadership Award: Student of the Year Past Recipients

2023 Aubrey Slater, Nursing
2022 Kristin Wallaker, Electrical Technology
2021 Adrian Hoyt, Liberal Studies
2020 Mason Peterson, Liberal Studies
2019 Keith Giles, Culinary Arts
2018 Lori Cobb, Nursing
2017 Natasha Manson, Business
2016 Erin Falconer, Mental Health

Aaron Levine Award

In 1967, through the 104th Legislature, Senator Levine spearheaded the appropriation of funds through the Maine Department of Education to provide post-secondary vocational programs at Kennebec Valley Vocational Technical Institute (KVVTI). The first location was at Waterville High School.

The Aaron Levine award is given to a student who has demonstrated citizenship, has been actively involved with campus and community projects and demonstrated leadership in addition to technical knowledge.

The student is named at Commencement.

Aaron Levine Past Recipients:

2023 Patrick Webber, Psychology
2022 Sarah Cawley, Mental Health & Stefani Bock, Physical Therapy
2021 Laurel Dorr, Liberal Studies
2020 Joseph Frechette, Business & Abby Pelletier, Nursing
2019 Casey Henderson, Mental Health & Kellie Wiswell, Physical Therapy
2018 Sonya Dodson, Mental Health
2017 Sharon Dearborn, Business & Alexander Walz, Liberal Studies
2016 Lori Cobb & Ashley Emery

Fred Whitney Award

This award is given in memory of Fred W. Whitney. Fred was the first director of Kennebec Valley Vocational Technical Institute from 1970 to 1973.

The Fred Whitney Award is given to a student who, through personal sacrifice, perseverance and determination, have demonstrated scholastic achievement and the ability to overcome personal obstacles while a student at KVCC.

The student is named at Commencement.

Fred Whitney Past Recipients:

2023 Anfal Marcus, General Studies
2022 Christopher Ellis, Physical Therapy & Daryn Gilbert, Respiratory Therapy
2021 Rachel Herrin, Nursing & Jon Martincic, Business
2020 Bethany Charles, Physical Therapy & Norman Kehling, Precision Machining
2019 Stefanie Johansen, Radiology & Joseph Seigars, Radiology
2018 Joshua Dyer, Liberal Studies & Anne Madore, Business
2017 Allen Bernier, Mental Health & Favia Debrito, Liberal Studies
2016 Tatsiana Fields, Occupational Therapy

King Award

The King Award is given in memory of Bernard King, Director of Kennebec Valley Vocational Technical Institute from 1973 to 1984. This honor is awarded to the student with a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA).

King Award Past Recipients:

2023 Patrick Webber, Psychology & Joshua Perkins, Plumbing Technology Certificate
2022 Colton Chubbuck, Lineworker & Matthew Vogel, Liberal Studies
2021 Laurel Dorr, Liberal Studies & Matthew Richards, Lineworker
2020 Jessica Cook, Sustainable Agriculture & Spencer Richardson, Lineworker
2019 Kymberly Wright, Mental Health
2018 Julia Rae Supp, Business
2017 Julie Belanger, Early Childhood
2016 Lauren Webb, Physical Therapy

Distinguished Alumnus Award

Each year, KVCC honors an alumnus who has demonostrated excellence in their profession and show dedication to their community by upholding KVCC’s shared values of responsibility, integrity, and respect.

Distinguished Alumni Past Recipients:

2023 Lori A. Cobb, ’18 Nursing
2022 Tobby Bragdon, ’12 Mental Health
2021 Flavia DeBrito, ’18 Liberal Studies
2020 Evie Hirshfelt, ’86 Nursing
2019 Jessica Gleason, ’12 Physical Therapist Assistant
2018 Theresa Desjardins, ’13 Occupational Therapy Assistant
2017 Michael Campbell, ’02 Applied Electronics and Computer Technology
2016 Churchill Elangewe, ’06 Industrial Electronics Electrical Technology
2015 Paula Beach, ’03 Business–Accounting
2014 Heather Nelson, ’11 Occupational Therapy Assistant
2013 Pamela Brochu, ’93 Nursing
2012 Jon Morrison, ’01 Applied Electronics and Computer Technology

Student of the Year Nomination Form & Process

Student of the Year Nomination Form & Process

Submit the Nomination form below by February 5th, 2024 by 5p.m.

The KVCC Student of the Year nomination form has closed for the Spring 2024 semester.

Student of the Year Nominee Process

The Student of the Year honor is given each year to seven (7) outstanding students within the Maine Community College System (one from each institution).  To receive this honor, the student selected must:   

Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement in their program 
Demonstrate service (College community/local community) 
Be a role model to others by the way in which the student lives their life, and
demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and civic engagement

To help us get to know you, please complete the information below. 

Document Criteria: 

Your Name and Program of Study 
Double spaced with one-inch margins on all sides 
12-point font, Times New Roman 
There is no page limit! 
Include a header that has your last name and the page number.
Submit by February 16th, 2024 by 5:00p.m.

Please address the four questions below.  Please be specific in your responses. 

Part I.  List ways in which you have served as a role model and/or a leader on campus or in your local community. Please be specific.

Part II.  Each student has a personal story of perseverance – how you made it to Graduation despite challenges and obstacles along the way.  Take a moment and reflect on your journey. 

Part III.  If selected as the 2023 Student of the Year, you would serve as the student commencement speaker. Share the introduction to your Commencement address. Be mindful of your message to your fellow classmates, their families and invited guests. What would your central theme be?  How might you inspire them to take action? 

This link will provide you with some wonderful information regarding how to write a commencement address.

Part IV.  Extracurricular and volunteer activities contributing to this campus community AND in your local community.  For each item you note, please include:  

the activity you were engaged in

a description of the activity and  
the length of time you engaged in this activity 
Please note if this was on campus or a community activity

Student of the Year Nominee Materials

Student of the Year materials are submitted by the nominee to the Student of the Year committee for review.

Name(Required)

First Last

Upload your Student of the Year documents here.(Required)

Reminder: Your document should include answers to the four questions, your name and program of study, be double spaced with one inch margins on all sides, and be in 12-point font, Times New Roman. There is no page limit!

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Phi Theta Kappa

Graduating students who are inducted members of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) may choose to wear a specific honor stole. These stoles are to be purchased by the student. PTK members can purchase these directly from the PTK store.

Questions? Contact the PTK advisor, Brandon Boudreault (bboudreault@kvcc.me.edu) or Jannie Durr (jdurr@kvcc.me.edu).