KVCC's "Music at Moody" Concert Series Yellow Brick Road Second Annual Tribute to Elton John

Fairfield, Maine - Elton John fans are in for a treat as the Yellow Brick Road Tribute to Elton John takes the stage for the second year in a row at the Moody Chapel on Route 201 in Hinckley on November 7 at 7 p.m. as part of the KVCC "Music at Moody" concert series.

            Heralded by fans as "the closest thing to the REAL Elton John", concert-goers will be treated to Elton's classic hits in this full concert tribute with an incredible sound system and light show.
            The band from Augusta promises every detail of an actual Elton John concert presented in a way that will have fans screaming for more.

            "We are excited to welcome Yellow Brick Road back to Moody Chapel. Last year's concert

Maine Senator Angus S. King, Jr. will be keynote speaker at KVCC 45th Commencement

FAIRFIELD, Maine – Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) has announced that Maine Senator Angus S. King, Jr. will be the keynote speaker at its 45th Commencement Exercises May 16 at the Augusta Civic Center.

Senator King was invited to make the keynote address by Dr. Richard Hopper, KVCC President.

“It’s a tremendous honor to have Senator King speak to KVCC graduates," Dr. Hopper said. "He is an important advocate of training and skills to build the local workforce; the Senator is also a supporter of opportunity and upward mobility through education. Celebrating this day together will inspire our graduates who have sacrificed a great deal to complete their studies. Senator King is also sure to encourage Mainers of all ages to avail themselves of the fantastic educational value that Kennebec Valley Community College and the entire community college system provide."

Approximately 400 students will graduate from KVCC on May 16. Commencement begins at 10 a.m.

Senator King was sworn in as Maine's first Independent United States Senator on January 3, 2013. He

KVCC hires new Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs

Fairfield, Maine – Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) has announced that Dr. Jon H. Connolly of Sheridan, Wyoming, will be the next Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs for the College.

Dr. Connolly will replace Karen White, who is retiring in October after 32 years working for KVCC, serving the past nine years as Academic Dean.

Dr. Connolly will begin his new duties on Sept. 18. He has more than a decade of leadership experience at colleges in Wyoming, Texas, and Maine. He comes to KVCC from his most recent position as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Sheridan College and Gillette College of the Northern Wyoming Community College District where he has held this post since 2009.

From January to June 2010 Dr. Connolly acted as Interim President at Sheridan and Gillette Colleges.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Connolly will be joining KVCC,” Dr. Richard Hopper, KVCC President, said. “He combines a proven record as a scholar with a clear understanding of the challenges facing community colleges today. Kennebec Valley Community College is undergoing tremendous change and expansion. Dr. Connolly’s record of academic leadership and his devotion to Maine will help move KVCC forward at a critical time in the institution’s development. ”

Dr. Connolly’s New England ties are strong, with a deep connection to Maine. He is a 1987 graduate of Colby College where he earned an A.B. in Biology and Geology-Biology; He was awarded an M.F.S. with a focus on Tree Biology from Yale University in 1992, and completed his Ph.D.in Biology from the University of Maine in 1996. He owns a camp in Rangeley, Maine.

Dr. Connolly taught at Husson University in Bangor, Maine, for a decade - from 1997-2007. While there he held positions of increasing responsibility, growing from his role as Associate Professor to become Associate Dean of the School of Science and Humanities, and ultimately becoming Assistant Chief Academic Officer.

Dr. Connolly subsequently served as Dean of Instruction for the Division of Math, Science, and Healthcare at Lone-Star College-Kingwood in Kingwood Texas from 2007-2009.

Dr. Connolly and his wife, Joan, are thrilled to be returning to Maine. Dr. Connolly is a runner, nonfiction reader, and avid movie watcher.

The Northern Wyoming Community College District encompasses three separate counties in northern Wyoming, and serves an estimated 4,000 students annually at Sheridan College, Gillette College and outreach centers in Buffalo, Kaycee and Wright.

Dr. Connolly is joining KVCC as the College prepares to open a second campus - The Harold Alfond Campus in Hinckley - in September 2014.

The Alfond Campus will provide an ideal environment for dynamic learning in sustainable agriculture, food processing, food security, place-based culinary arts production, renewable energy applications, business entrepreneurship, and early childhood education related to wellness and healthy living. It will include an innovative farm-to-table education hub that combines sustainable agriculture, food processing, and culinary arts and certificate programs.

Classes began this fall for the first of these programs, a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree program in sustainable agriculture.

KVCC will also continue to offer a wide array of degree programs in liberal arts, trades and technology, business, computer science, and health professions.

KVCC is one of seven community colleges in Maine and prepares full-time and part-time students to enter the job market, to transfer to colleges and universities, and to achieve their professional and personal goals. Programs and services support the economic growth of the community in response to changing needs.

In 2011 and again in 2012, KVCC was named one of the top community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute, placing in the top 10 percent of two-year colleges based on student success rates.

To learn more about KVCC, go to www.kvcc.me.edu

Renewable energy workshop to be offered by KVCC and Farm Energy Partners April 18

Fairfield, Maine - Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) and Farm Energy Partners (FEP) will offer a free, public workshop on renewable energy to celebrate Earth Week.

The workshop will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 18 in the Frye Building at KVCC’s Fairfield campus. Entitled “Renewable Energy in Maine: what technology is right for me?” it is open to all members of the public who are curious about renewable energy.

Many people are interested in incorporating renewable energy into their home, farm or other business, but may not know where to begin. At this workshop, KVCC instructors will provide information on five renewable technologies: Solar Photovoltaic, Solar Heating, Biomass Solid Fuel, and Heat Pumps and Small Wind.

Instructors will also discuss how a typical property owner can examine their property and structures on it to determine which renewable energy source or sources would best fit their needs. Financing options for renewable energy projects will also be discussed.

For more information, contact Amy Hudnor at 453-5813 or ahudnor@kvcc.me.edu.

Farm Energy Partners (FEP) is a network of Maine Rural Partners that includes over 30 public and private sector organizations including farms, supporting organizations and businesses. FEP is dedicated to working collaboratively to help Maine farmers save energy, improve the environment and strengthen their bottom lines by focusing on energy

KVCC partners with IAPMO on water conservation and efficiency effort

Fairfield, Maine - Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®) Green Plumbers Training program are teaming up to fix water leaks and recommend efficiency measures during the United States Environmental Protection Agency/WaterSense Fix a Leak Week March 18-24.

Fix a Leak Week encourages Americans to help put a stop to the more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted from household leaks each year. According to the EPA’s WaterSense program, “Approximately 6 percent of total water use in commercial and institutional facilities in the U.S. takes place in educational facilities such as schools, universities, museums and libraries. The largest uses of water in educational facilities are restrooms, landscaping, heating and cooling, and cafeteria kitchens.”

KVCC is located in Fairfield, Maine, and has an enrollment of more than 2,600 students. KVCC’s innovative Energy Services and Technology Center began offering a new program in August 2012 that offers a dynamic and multi-faceted approach to trades-based education. The Energy Services and Technology Associate in Applied Science degree is a first-of-its-kind program in Maine, offering training in plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, solid fuel, solar heating and cooling, geothermal and the Green Plumbers family of courses in one two-year program.

Upon completion of the EST program, students will be eligible to pursue four state of Maine licensure opportunities in plumbing, oil burner, solid fuel, propane and natural gas, as well as the US Environmental Protection Agency Refrigeration Certification. Students are also trained on conservation methods and are eligible to pursue the IAPMO Green Plumbers certification.

Prior to Fix a Leak Week, participating students in the EST program will have completed the Green Plumbers Caring for our Water and Inspection Report Service courses and will plan the data collection and audit portions of the project, working in conjunction with KVCC’s facilities maintenance department. Doug Kirk, director of curriculum for Green Plumbers Training (part of The IAPMO Group) will participate with KVCC in the project and will coordinate activities with KVCC Instructor Brad Harding.

“We are delighted that KVCC decided to participate in the WaterSense Fix a Leak Week,” said Steve Lehtonen, senior director of Environmental Education for Green Plumbers Training & Accreditation for The IAPMO Group, “because it highlights the KVCC commitment to the environment, and their commitment to creating multiple career pathways for students. We believe the KVCC program provides a model for community colleges around the country, increasing the value that graduates are able to offer to prospective employers.”

“We are truly honored to partner with IAPMO and their Green Plumbers program on the WaterSense Fix a Leak program,” said Dana Doran, KVCC’s Director of Energy Programs. “This is an exceptional opportunity for our students to not only learn valuable lessons about water conservation, but have experiential learning which will also have a direct impact upon our campus. IAPMO has been a tremendous partner for the development of the EST program and we feel our students will only benefit from this relationship.”

Kennebec Valley Community College is one of seven community colleges in Maine. KVCC prepares full-time and part-time students to enter the job market, to transfer to colleges and universities, and to achieve their professional and personal goals.  Programs and services support the economic growth of the community in response to changing needs.

In 2011 and again in 2012, KVCC was named one of the top community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute, placing in the top 10 percent of two-year colleges based on student success rates.

For more information on WaterSense or Fix a Leak Week, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

Upcoming Closure of Exit 133 In Fairfield‏

Fairfield, Maine - Crews will be performing repairs to the Route 201 overpass in Fairfield starting Tuesday morning, January 8th at 9 a.m., necessitating the closure of the northbound Exit 133. This effort will continue all day on Wednesday and the early part of Thursday, January 10th.

Motorists will be expected to utilize Exit 132 through this period. Work will consist of repairing damage to the deck surface of the Route 201 overpass. Once that work is completed, workers will pave over the entire area for a smoother travel. The final stage will be to re-stripe the section prior to opening back up to motorists.

State Police will be assisting travelers on the interstate.

Because this work is weather dependent, times and dates are subject to change. Message boards will provide updated information to motorists through the area.

Upon completion, one lane of traffic will remain as work on the Clausen Bridge will continue as scheduled.

“Late Start” semester at KVCC increases options for students

Fairfield, Maine - Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) is always looking for new ways to meet the increasing demands of students for flexibility in education, and so this fall for the first time the College is offering a special 10-week session of “core” academic courses beginning Sept. 24 and running until Dec. 1.

Approximately a dozen entry-level courses commonly required by a wide range of college programs are being offered in this compressed schedule to new students and returning KVCC students not already registered for the regular Fall 2012 semester.

These general education courses can be applied not only toward KVCC degree programs, but transferred to other colleges and universities in Maine, and offer an ideal opportunity for students pursuing four-year degrees to earn credits toward those degrees while taking advantage of KVCC’s low tuition rate of $86 per credit hour.

“Many students today have jobs, families, and other responsibilities that limit their ability to pursue a college education,” said Jon Humphrey, Marketing Specialist for the College. “The regular fall semester may start too early or run too long for them. By providing a series of commonly required courses in a compact, convenient semester, KVCC hopes to give these students another option for beginning or continuing an education.”

The courses offered were chosen based on high demand – all were already full to capacity for the regular Fall 2012 semester. Many are being provided online to increase the convenience for students.

To register for a course or for more information call Kim at (207) 453-5134 or Jillienne at (207) 453-5119 or go to www.kvcc.me.edu.

Kennebec Valley Community College is one of seven community colleges in Maine. KVCC prepares full-time and part-time students to enter the job market, to transfer to colleges and universities, and to achieve their professional and personal goals. Programs and services support the economic growth of the community in response to changing needs.

In 2011 and again in 2012, KVCC was named one of the top community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute, placing in the top 10 percent of two-year colleges based on student success rates.

To learn more about KVCC, go to www.kvcc.me.edu/.

KVCC Foundation awarded childcare, tuition-waiver, and equipment grants

Fairfield, Maine - The Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) Foundation has been awarded three grants that will directly benefit programs and students at the College.

The grants include:

$20,000 from the Davis Family Foundation to support students whose children are attending Educare Central Maine in Waterville. The money will be used to subsidize childcare expenses for approximately 20 low-income students.

$5,000 from the Plum Creek Foundation to purchase equipment for KVCC's new Energy Services and Technology Program, a two-year associate degree program which will begin classes in the fall of 2012.

$3,000 from the Oak Grove School Foundation to support dual enrolled high school students. The money will be used to fund College fees and textbook expenses for approximately 30 low-income students who are enrolled in classes at KVCC.

The KVCC Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing area citizens with an accessible and affordable quality education. "Each of these grant awards will ensure that students are able to access and persist in reaching their professional and educational goals," said Michelle Webb, Executive Director of the KVCC Foundation.

"The Foundation is grateful for these grants and proud to have played a role in earning them from these prestigious organizations", said Jack Sutton, KVCC Foundation Chair.

To learn more about any of these grants contact Michelle Webb at mwebb@kvcc.me.edu or call (207)453-5020.

To learn more about the Energy Services and Technology program at KVCC go to http://www.kvcc.me.edu/Pages/Energy-Services-Technology/Energy-Services-Technology-Home.

The Davis Family Foundation is a public charitable foundation established by Phyllis C. Davis and H. Halsey Davis of Falmouth, Maine, to support educational, medical and cultural/arts organizations located primarily in Maine. The Foundation was established following Mr. Davis's retirement as President and Chairman of Shaw's Supermarkets, Inc.

The Plum Creek Foundation supports organizations that improve the quality of life in the communities where Plum Creek operates and where its employees live and work. Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations throughout Plum Creek's operating area.

The Oak Grove School Foundation supports the educational and cultural needs of secondary students and non-profit organizations in the greater Central Maine area.

Kennebec Valley Community College is one of seven community colleges in Maine. KVCC prepares full-time and part-time students to enter the job market, to transfer to colleges and universities, and to achieve their professional and personal goals. Programs and services support the economic growth of the community in response to changing needs.

In 2011 and again in 2012, KVCC was named one of the top community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute, placing in the top 10 percent of two-year colleges based on student success rates.

To learn more about KVCC, go to www.kvcc.me.edu

Excellent opportunities remain in KVCC health programs

Fairfield, Maine - As the fall semester of 2012 approaches, there are still many opportunities remaining in popular health programs at Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC).

Space remains in programs including Occupational Therapy Assistant, Health Information Technology, Respiratory Therapy, Advanced Emergency Care, and Computed Tomography.

"Many of these programs have become so popular people assume they are already full, but it is not too late to enroll," Dean of Students Karen Normandin said. "These are programs that lead to excellent jobs with high wages right here in our local economy."

KVCC constantly adapts its programs to meet the changing needs of employers and respond to demand for additional workers in growing fields. The College's Nursing and Allied Health Departments have a well-established reputation for producing quality graduates in a number of health care fields.

While registration for the fall semester will continue through mid-August, instructors in are eager to get the word out that there is still room for more students.

"Registering early is the best way to get the schedule that you want, so we always encourage anyone interested in enrolling in a program to talk to us as soon as possible," Dean Normandin said.

Anyone interested in learning more about programs at KVCC is encouraged to call the Admissions Department at 207-453-5131 or email jbourgoin@kvcc.me.edu. Prospective students may also go to https://my.kvcc.me.edu/ICS/Admissions/Welcome.jnz.

Kennebec Valley Community College is one of seven community colleges in Maine. KVCC prepares full-time and part-time students to enter the job market, to transfer to colleges and universities, and to achieve their professional and personal goals. Programs and services support the economic growth of the community in response to changing needs.

In 2011 and again in 2012, KVCC was named one of the top community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute, placing in the top 10 percent of two-year colleges based on student success rates.

To learn more about KVCC, go to www.kvcc.me.edu

KVCC Open House to be held June 20

KVCC Open House to be held June 20


Fairfield, Maine - Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) will hold an Open House Wednesday, June 20 featuring campus tours, financial aid guidance, program information, and much more.

The Open House from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Carter Hall Multipurpose Room will include refreshments. It is free and open to the public.

"This event offers a perfect opportunity for anyone interested in KVCC to come and see what the College has to offer, ask questions, and meet many of the faculty and staff," Dean of Students Karen Normandin said.

Special workshops on financial aid and career opportunities will be available. Classrooms and labs on the campus will be open for viewing. As a special bonus, the application fee will be waived for all those attending the open house.

This event will provide an excellent chance for anyone considering enrolling for the fall semester of 2012 to find out what programs are being offered and ask questions about them. Potential students can also explore the many opportunities to transfer credits earned at KVCC to four-year colleges and universities.

For more information please call the Admissions Office at 453-5035 or email jbourgoin@kvcc.me.edu

460 graduate at 42nd KVCC Commencement Exercises

460 graduate at 42nd KVCC Commencement Exercises



Fairfield, ME - Four hundred and sixty students graduated today when Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) held its 42nd Commencement Exercises at the Augusta Civic Center.

The graduation was well attended by friends and family of graduates, with students from 24 programs marching before a capacity crowd.

Speaking to the assembly, KVCC Student of the Year Kristie Harris shared the story of her own challenges as she pursued a degree in Nursing at KVCC, as well as some of the stories of her fellow students.

"For many of us the gap is very wide between what was imagined at the beginning and what has been achieved at the end," Harris said. "We came with a dream and maybe we weren't sure we would achieve it, but we took that first step and now here we are."

In her own case, a family medical emergency and an employment crisis led her to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse in spite of the obstacles she faced. Many of KVCC's students can tell similar stories, Harris said.

"I recently sat with a group of my fellow graduates and it occurred to me that not one had gotten to this point easily," Harris said. "We all have a story. We all had bumps in the road. The common thread is perseverance. If you want it bad enough you can do it. We did it!"

Bill L. Alfond, Founder & President of the William and Joan Alfond Foundation, was the keynote speaker for the event.

Mr. Alfond, who worked for 31 years as an executive at Dexter Shoe Company, where he was president of the bowling shoe division, currently serves as a director of Dexter Enterprises, Inc., a director of Olly Shoe in Canada/USA, and is a limited partner in the Boston Red Sox.

A long-time supporter and friend of KVCC, Mr. Alfond is a son of the late Harold Alfond, founder of Dexter Shoe Company and a philanthropist well-known for his generosity to the Maine communities in which he and his family worked and resided.

Mr Alfond offered his congratulations to the Class of 2012, lauding them for their hard work and the opportunities they have created for themselves.

"Whatever your pathway, here you are, graduating, ready to take your new skills and your enthusiasm into the workforce, or on the road to a 4-year degree," Alfond said. "Enjoy the sense of accomplishment you are feeling today. You earned it."

Alfond also credited those who lent their support to the graduates for helping them achieve their goals.

"To families and friends of the graduates, congratulations to you for supporting these fine students," Alfond said. "Your support - financial and moral - helped them get here. So I hope you are proud too. Their success belongs to you as well."

KVCC President Barbara Woodlee congratulated the graduates and wished them well in their future endeavors, praising them for their hard work and dedication to their communities as well as their educations.

"As a class you demonstrated commitment and perseverance in pursuing your goals, and you did this while contributing an extraordinary number of hours to community service to a wide range of organizations and causes," Woodlee said. "We take great pride in all your accomplishment and wish you health, happiness, and much success as you graduate today."

Awards given during the 42nd Commencement Exercises included the following:

The Aaron Levine Outstanding Student Award - Melissa Berry and Deborah Huff.

The Fred Whitney Award - Laurie Columbia and Jessica Gleason.

The Bernard A. King Award - Jacqueline R. Huey.

The Distinguished Alumni Award - Jon Morrison.

Kennebec Valley Community College is one of seven community colleges in Maine. KVCC prepares full-time and part-time students to enter the job market, to transfer to colleges and universities, and to achieve their professional and personal goals. Programs and services support the economic growth of the community in response to changing needs.

In 2011 and again in 2012, KVCC was named one of the top community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute, placing in the top 10 percent of two-year colleges based on student success rates.

To learn more about KVCC, go to www.kvcc.me.edu

KVCC recognized for a second year by Aspen Institute as one of the top community colleges in the nation

KVCC recognized for a second year by Aspen Institute as one of the top community colleges in the nation
Edited: David Mills


FAIRFIELD, ME - For a second consecutive year, The Aspen Institute has recognized Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) as one of the best community colleges in America based on student success rates.

KVCC was one of 120 community colleges ranked in the top ten percent of the nation’s two-year colleges by the Institute. The ranking makes KVCC eligible to compete for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, a $1 million prize.

Colleges selected will now compete for the prestigious honor following a year-long research process into how well their students learn, complete degrees, and get jobs with competitive wages after graduating.

“Kennebec Valley Community College is honored to receive this national recognition for a second time,” KVCC President Barbara Woodlee, said. “This ranking reaffirms that our efforts to achieve high student retention and graduation rates are working and that even as KVCC grows, our focus on student success remains strong.”

Colleges were evaluated through a comprehensive review of publicly available data that measured their performance in the following areas:

▪ Graduation rates.

▪ Degrees awarded.

▪ Student retention rates.

▪ Equity in student outcomes.

The purpose of the Aspen Prize is to recognize community colleges with outstanding academic and workforce outcomes in both absolute performance and improvements over time. By focusing on student success and lifting up models that work, the Aspen prize honors excellence, stimulates innovation, and creates benchmarks for measuring progress.

The 120 community colleges selected in this first round of eligibility for the Aspen Prize are now invited to submit an application containing detailed information regarding degree and certificate completion rates, labor market outcomes, and student learning outcomes. Those schools that best demonstrate that they use data to drive decisions, that they deliver exceptional student results, and that they are continually improving over time will be named the finalists.

The 2013 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence will be only the second in the history of the award. Valencia College in Orlando, Florida, took the inaugural prize. At the time, it was the first major award competition that recognized accomplishments of the nation’s individual community colleges.

The winner of the second award will be announced in March of 2013.

For more information on the Aspen Prize and the process used to select competitors for it, go to www.AspenCCPrize.org.

The Aspen Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and has an international network of partners. Its mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues.

Kennebec Valley Community College is a commuter college located on a 69-acre campus in Fairfield, and is one of seven community colleges in Maine which operate under the authority of the Maine Community College System Board of Trustees. KVCC is a public, non-profit, post-secondary institution supported in part by State legislative appropriations and federal funds.

The College recently acquired an additional 690 acres of land and more than a dozen buildings that were formerly part of the Good Will-Hinckley School. KVCC is now in the process of planning a major expansion on that property, which is located 7 miles north of the current campus.

The College offers more than 30 programs of study ranging from two-year associate degrees to certificate and diploma programs, as well as a comprehensive schedule of continuing education courses and business and industry outreach programs.

Credit transfer agreements with many four-year colleges and universities and a strong liberal arts program have made KVCC an affordable stepping stone to advanced degrees and a great place for those unsure about college to test the waters of higher education.

Enrollment at the College has grown steadily in recent years and exceeded 2,500 students for the fall 2011 semester.

For more information on KVCC go to www.kvcc.me.edu.