2026 Spring Commencement

Congratulations Graduates!

The 2026 91°µÍø Commencement Ceremony was held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center.Ìý Please review the 2026 91°µÍø Commencement Ceremony details further down the page for more specific event information.

LIVESTREAM –

Commencement at 91°µÍø is a treasured tradition.Ìý 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.Ìý Once final grades are posted, your record will be evaluated, and your diploma will be mailed to your address on file.Ìý 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 91°µÍø, to celebrate the importance of your academic accomplishments.Ìý It is also a time for 91°µÍø, 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 91°µÍø website provides a thorough breakdown of everything you need as a graduate to prepare for both graduation and commencement.

Graduation Application

Graduation Application – Last chance! All students who are completing a degree or certificate in May or August 2026 must complete the by Friday, March 6th, 2026.

Graduate Photography

Graduate Photography –Geskus Photography will email graduates a link to photos once the album is ready. Graduates should check their school email address @Mainecc.edu. Last year, this process took about two weeks. Graduates will retain access to these email addresses after graduation.

Photo Album on Facebook

Photo Album on Facebook – 295 photos from Spring 2026 Commencement have been posted on 91°µÍø’s Facebook page. In order to get there, visit at https://www.facebook.com/91°µÍø.MAINE/. Individual photos of graduates receiving their degrees will come separately from Geskus Photography to graduates’ “@mainecc.edu” accounts.

2026 Commencement Ceremony Details

2026 Commencement Ceremony Details

The 2026 91°µÍø Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center.Ìý This date is subject to change if circumstances require.

All graduates participating in the 91°µÍø Commencement Ceremony should be at the Augusta Civic Center by 5:00 p.m.Ìý Please enter through the doors at the North Wing (on the right side of the ACC).Ìý Please note:Ìý All other guestsÌýmust enter through the front doors.

Guest seating is first-come, first-served.Ìý Doors open at 5:00 p.m.

LIVESTREAM:

Geskus Photography Services will photograph each graduate as they cross and exit the stage. Photos will be available for purchase online after graduation.Ìý

Commencement Regalia

Commencement Regalia

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

91°µÍø graduates order their regalia by completing the graduation application form, which must be submittedÌýno later than March 6, 2026.

 

Diploma Information

Diploma Information

Once final grades are posted, your record will be evaluated, and your diploma in a 91°µÍø diploma case will be sent to you via mail to your address on file.Ìý The process of auditing all students for graduation takes an average of 6-8 weeks from the end of the semester.Ìý If your address changes, please update the college by emailing the registrar: registrar@kvcc.me.edu

Graduate Survey

Graduate Survey

Congratulations on your achievement!

The Senior Survey is a terrific opportunity to share your experiences here at 91°µÍø.

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 beÌý

Honors and Awards

Honors and Awards

Honors

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

  • Honors- 3.50 to 3.699 receives one silver honor cord
  • High Honors- 3.700 and higher receive 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 doesÌýnot includeÌýspring 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.Ìý 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.Ìý This graduating student provides the student address at the commencement ceremony.

Lapoint Leadership Award: Student of the Year Past Recipients

  • 2026Ìý Ìý Jasmine Sanders, Nursing
  • 2025Ìý Ìý Karen Winfree, Psychology
  • 2024Ìý Ìý Crystal MacGown, Radiologic Technology
  • 2023Ìý Ìý Aubrey Slater, Nursing
  • 2022Ìý Ìý Kristin Wallaker, Electrical Technology
  • 2021Ìý Ìý Adrian Hoyt, Liberal Studies
  • 2020ÌýÌýÌý Mason Peterson, Liberal Studies
  • 2019ÌýÌýÌý Keith Giles, Culinary Arts
  • 2018ÌýÌýÌý Lori Cobb, Nursing
  • 2017Ìý Ìý Natasha Manson, Business
  • 2016Ìý ÌýErin 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).Ìý 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:

  • 2026Ìý Ìý Dawn Gee, Physical Therapist Assistant
  • 2025Ìý Ìý Skye Havey, Business Administration & Max Newton, Respiratory Therapy
  • 2024Ìý Ìý Gunnar Tenan, Business Administration
  • 2023Ìý Ìý Patrick Webber, Psychology
  • 2022Ìý Ìý Sarah Cawley, Mental Health & Stefani Bock, Physical Therapist Assistant
  • 2021Ìý Ìý ÌýLaurel Dorr, Liberal Studies
  • 2020ÌýÌýÌý Joseph Frechette, Business & Abby Pelletier, Nursing
  • 2019ÌýÌýÌý Casey Henderson, Mental Health & Kellie Wiswell, Physical Therapist Assistant
  • 2018ÌýÌýÌý Sonya Dodson, Mental Health
  • 2017ÌýÌýÌý Sharon Dearborn, Business & Alexander Walz, Liberal Studies
  • 2016ÌýÌýÌý Lori Cobb, Nursing & Ashley Emery, Nursing

 

Fred Whitney AwardÌýÌý

This award is given in memory of Fred W. Whitney.Ìý 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 91°µÍø.

The student is named at Commencement.

Fred Whitney Past Recipients:

  • 2026Ìý Ìý Natasha Ramp, Psychology
  • 2025Ìý Ìý Noah Brooks, Physical Therapist Assistant
  • 2024Ìý Ìý Dana Maloney, Radiologic Technology & Gwyn Fassnacht, Liberal Studies
  • 2023Ìý Ìý Anfal Marcus, General Studies
  • 2022Ìý Ìý Christopher Ellis, Physical Therapy & Daryn Gilbert, Respiratory Therapy
  • 2021Ìý Ìý ÌýRachel Herrin, Nursing & Jon Martincic, Business
  • 2020 ÌýÌý Bethany Charles, Physical Therapy & Norman Kehling, Precision Machining
  • 2019ÌýÌýÌý Stefanie Johansen, RadiologyÌý & Joseph Seigars, Radiology
  • 2018ÌýÌýÌý Joshua Dyer, Liberal Studies & Anne Madore, Business
  • 2017ÌýÌýÌý Allen Bernier, Mental HealthÌý & Favia Debrito, Liberal Studies
  • 2016ÌýÌýÌý Tatsiana Fields, Occupational Therapy Assistant

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 PastÌýRecipients:

  • 2026Ìý Ìý ÌýErin Chute, Biological Sciences & Jack Fowler, Lineworker
  • 2025Ìý Ìý ÌýNicole Renee, Nursing & Steven Ciulla, Precision Machining
  • 2024Ìý Ìý Annabelle Walke, Early Childhood Education & Michelle Boothby, Mental Health
  • 2023Ìý Ìý Patrick Webber, Psychology & Joshua Perkins, Plumbing
  • 2022Ìý Ìý Colton Chubbuck, Lineworker & Matthew Vogel, Liberal Studies
  • 2021Ìý Ìý ÌýLaurel Dorr, Liberal Studies & Matthew Richards, Lineworker
  • 2020 ÌýÌý Jessica Cook, Sustainable Agriculture & Spencer Richardson, Lineworker
  • 2019ÌýÌýÌý Kymberly Wright, Mental Health
  • 2018ÌýÌýÌý Julia Rae Supp, Business
  • 2017Ìý Ìý Julie Belanger, Early Childhood
  • 2016ÌýÌýÌý Lauren Webb, Physical Therapy

Distinguished Alumnus Award

Each year, 91°µÍø honors an alumnus who has demonstrated excellence in their profession and shown dedication to their community by upholding 91°µÍø’s shared values of responsibility, integrity, and respect.

Distinguished Alumni PastÌýRecipients:

  • 2026Ìý Ìý Erica Palmer, 10′ Early Childhood Education
  • 2025Ìý Ìý Kelly Burbank, ’18 Sustainable Agriculture & ’19 Accounting
  • 2024Ìý Ìý Cindy Stevens, ’77 Marketing
  • 2023Ìý Ìý Lori A. Cobb, ’18 Nursing
  • 2022Ìý Ìý Tobby Bragdon, ’12 Mental Health
  • 2021Ìý Ìý Flavia DeBrito, ’18 Liberal Studies
  • 2020Ìý Ìý Evie Hirshfelt, ’86 Nursing
  • 2019Ìý Ìý Jessica Gleason, ’12 Physical Therapist Assistant
  • 2018ÌýÌýÌý Theresa Desjardins, ’13 Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • 2017Ìý Ìý Michael Campbell, ’02 Applied Electronics and Computer Technology
  • 2016Ìý Ìý Churchill Elangewe, ’06 Industrial Electronics Electrical Technology
  • 2015Ìý Ìý Paula Beach, ’03 Business–Accounting
  • 2014Ìý Ìý Heather Nelson, ’11 Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • 2013Ìý Ìý Pamela Brochu, ’93 Nursing
  • 2012Ìý Ìý Jon Morrison, ’01 Applied Electronics and Computer Technology
Student of the Year Nomination Form & Process

Sorry. This form is no longer available.

Student of the Year Nominee ProcessÌý

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:   Ìý

  • Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement in their program Ìý
  • Demonstrate service (College community/local community) Ìý
  • 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 Ìý

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

Ìý

Document Criteria: Ìý

  • Your Name and Program of Study Ìý
  • Double-spaced with one-inch margins on all sides Ìý
  • 12-point font, Times New Roman Ìý
  • There is no page limit! Ìý
  • Include a header that has your last name and the page number.Ìý
  • Submit by February 20th, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.Ìý

Ìý

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

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.Ìý

 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. Ìý

 Part III.  If selected as the 2026 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? Ìý

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

 Ìý

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

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

 Ìý

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)
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.
    Ìý

    Phi Theta Kappa

    Phi Theta Kappa

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

    Questions?Ìý Contact the PTK advisor,ÌýBrandon Boudreault (bboudreault@kvcc.me.edu).

     

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