Churchill Elangwe-Preston speaker at KVCC commencement

Churchill Elangwe-Preston

Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) will celebrate the conferral of associate degrees and academic certificates for a total of 427 graduates in the class of 2024. Over 250 graduates will take part in commencement exercises on Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m., at the Augusta Civic Center.

Churchill Elangwe-Preston, of Waterville, will deliver the keynote address.

Churchill Elangwe-Preston’s journey from growing up on coffee and cocoa farms in Limbe, Cameroon, to founding Mbingo Mountain Coffee, in Waterville, is a story of passion, innovation, and commitment to community. His deep roots in agriculture, combined with a solid education in electrical technology from KVCC and electrical engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), have uniquely positioned him to make a significant impact.

Mbingo Mountain Coffee is more than just a business venture for Churchill; it is a fulfillment of a lifelong aspiration to contribute positively to the coffee industry, enhance the coffee drinking experience in central Maine and the United States, and give back to the farming community. His journey underscores the importance of embracing one’s roots, pursuing one’s passions, and the impact of lifelong learning. Churchill’s story is a testament to how diverse experiences and a commitment to quality and community can lead to innovative and meaningful entrepreneurial endeavors.

Cindy Stevens to receive distinguished alumnus award

Cindy Stevens

Cindy (Davis) Stevens will be presented the KVCC Distinguished Alumnus Award. Born in the small town of New Vineyard, with a population of only 400, Cindy attended Roosevelt Grammar School, a local two-room schoolhouse, and graduated from Mt. Blue High School, in Farmington, in 1975. She graduated from KVCC in 1977 with a diploma in marketing, and from the University of Maine at Augusta with Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in business and marketing in 1979. She holds a master’s degree in management/marketing from Thomas College, in Waterville.

She has served 40 years in sales, marketing, human resources, finance and management roles with the Waterville Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal, in Augusta, completing her career as regional advertising director for both newspapers. Cindy was a former member of the founding board of directors of Waterville Main Street and is currently employed as the program director at Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, in Waterville.

Kennebec Valley Community College offers more than 30 associate degree programs and certificates. KVCC provides a bridge to a brighter future with small class sizes, excellent support services, and flexible scheduling. KVCC has the lowest tuition in New England and offers recent high school graduates the opportunity to attend community college for free. In addition, the development of short-term trainings through Workforce Development provides a path for individuals looking to reskill in a new career or as a pathway into an academic program.