2025 Winter Commencement Ceremony
- DATE: Friday, December 12th 2025 at 6:00 pm
- LOCATION: MPTC Fond du Lac Campus Conference Center
- Students who are applying to earn a Technical Diploma or Associate Degree must apply for graduation to be included in the ceremony program.
- In the event of inclement weather, a backup date has been scheduled for Saturday, December 13, at 10:00 AM. A decision regarding cancellation will be communicated by 10:00 AM on Friday, December 12.
For questions regarding commencement, please contact Heather Clark at hclark4@morainepark.edu.
Graduates
On the day of the ceremony, graduate candidates should arrive by 5pm to check in and get lined up for the processional.
Purses, coats, cell phone/electronics and other items should not be brought into the event space as there is no place to store/secure these items.
Graduate candidates must remain in their assigned seats for the duration of the ceremony. Those who exit will not be permitted to rejoin while the event is in progress.
Guests
- The ceremony is held in the Conference Center.
- Wristbands are required for entry into the Conference Center.
- No wristband = no entry.
- Small children sitting on a guest’s lap do not need a wristband.
- Guests can begin arriving at 5pm.
- The Commencement ceremony will be live-streamed.
- Overflow seating is available in Room A112 near the Cafeteria for guests without wristbands.
Regalia
Graduation regalia will be available for purchase from the Spirit Store both online and in-store—beginning October 27.
- Please note: Online orders must be submitted by December 4 to ensure delivery in time for commencement.
Honors/High Honors Recognition
Recognition of academic excellence will be determined by the cumulative grade point average (GPA) achieved at the time the degree or technical diploma (minimum 20-credit program) is awarded. Honors designations will not be retroactively awarded.
- High Honors designation is a cumulative GPA between 3.75 and 4.0.
- Honors designation is a cumulative GPA between 3.50 and 3.74.
NOTE: Honors/High Honors designation for the Commencement Ceremony is based on cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) as of the end of the preceding semester spring/summer. No exceptions will be made. To view your cumulative GPA you can view your unofficial transcript here: myMPTC student>My Student Center (Class Registration and more)>Unofficial Transcript
Honor cords will be distributed at commencement to students who qualify for the distinction.
Commencement Speaker: Adam Stone – President of the Trust Division at National Exchange Bank & Trust
Adam Stone is the president of the Trust Division for National Exchange Bank & Trust. In his role, Stone manages and oversee the Trust Division while maintaining and growing client investment portfolios. Stone was a part of the Trust Division when he joined the bank in 2003. In 2007, he moved into investment services where he focused on enhancing customer offering in partnership with Raymond James. In 2016, he was promoted to senior vice president within the National Exchange Bank investment services division where he oversaw the banks wealth management strategy, and in 2022 was promoted again to Trust President.
Stone is a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA), a designation from the American Bankers Association that demonstrates expertise in the trust and financial advisor field while recognizing the growing client relationship skills necessary to be a successful wealth manager. He is also a graduate of St. Mary’s Spring High School, the University of St. Thomas with a bachelor’s degree in marketing management, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School of Banking.
Stone plays an active role in the Fond du Lac community and represents National Exchange Bank through his current and past involvement on the Agnesian Foundation, YMCA, St. Mary’s Springs Academy, Moraine Park Foundation, Cedar Benevolent Community, and Children’s Museum boards as well as participation in other community organizations.
Alumna Speaker: Melissa Kescenovitz – 2012 Alumna
Melissa Kescenovitz has dedicated her career to advancing early childhood education and supporting families in Washington and Ozaukee Counties. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Early Childhood Education at the Kettle Moraine YMCA, where she leads programs that nurture children, strengthen families, and support staff development with the oversight of five full day child care centers and five 4K classrooms. Her YMCA journey began in 2010 as a child care assistant teacher, and since then she has held a variety of leadership roles including Child Care Site Lead, Child Care Site Director, Assistant Director of Child Care and 4K, Child Care Director, and now Senior Director. Melissa’s commitment to education and collaboration extends beyond the local communities. She serves as an independent consultant for the Wisconsin Child Care Administrators Association and is a Peer Community Co-Chair for YMCA early childhood programs across the state.
In 2012, she graduated from Moraine Park Technical College with a degree in Early Childhood Education and after a few years returned to the College and graduated in 2016 with an Early Childhood Administrators Credential and a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Leadership in 2020. After graduating, she has continued to stay connected with MPTC as a member of the Early Childhood Advisory committee for five years and is in her 3rd year on the Board of Trustees for MPTC, currently serving as Secretary.
Student Speaker: Abigael Loehrke-Halfmann – 2025 Student Ambassador
Abigael is on track to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing from Moraine Park Technical College in December 2026. After earning a degree in Psychology, she sought out a more personal experience at a local technical college with a program that would continue her passion to help people within her communities. Abi has become progressively more involved in leadership roles on her campus, as well as opportunities to serve Moraine Park as a whole. She has served as President of Student Nursing Association club and Student Senate on Beaver Dam campus, elected Governor for Moraine Park through Wisconsin Student Government, and is a JED peer support mentor and tutor for students at MPTC.
Beyond academics, Abi is a wife, a bonus (and expecting) mama, and a home for a small zoo of 4 cats, 3 dogs, and 1 guinea pig. When she isn’t busy with campus activities or working, she enjoys DIY projects around her home, crafting, and spending time with family and friends. She is so looking forward to blending the best parts of her career in psychology with a newfound passion for nursing, finding so many opportunities for continued growth and learning opportunities for a fruitful future!
Empire Photography has been photographing our commencement ceremonies for many years. Each graduate is photographed as they receive their diploma, and a solo portrait is also taken after they exit the stage. Proofs will be sent to graduates and their families approximately 48 hours after the ceremony.
View the QR code or follow the link to register: www.empirephotos.com/gradregistration
If you have any questions, please email Empire Photography at customerservice@empirephotos.com.
Graduate candidates will receive a diploma cover when they cross the stage during commencement. Only those students who participate in the commencement ceremony will receive a diploma cover.
Diplomas will be mailed to the address provided on the Graduation Candidacy form approximately 8 weeks after the end of the semester and is contingent upon successful completion of all program requirements.
Graduation Instructions
- Students are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony if they:
- Have submitted their RSVP by completing a graduation application by October 1, 2025. Application instructions are available HERE. *If you missed the deadline and still want to participate in the ceremony please contact Heather Clark at hclark4@morainepark.edu to see if arrangements can be made.
- Are completing an associate degree or technical diploma program.
- Have met, or will meet all program/graduation requirements in the academic year OR have 6 or less credits left that will be completed in the Spring/Summer term.
- NOTE: Participation in the commencement ceremony does not guarantee graduation from a program.
- Students can verify all course requirements are met by checking their degree audits (instructions) Contact your advisor if you need help determining your status.
- All students must submit a Graduation Candidacy form during their last semester to identify intention to graduate for every program requested.
- A minimum of 25 percent of the total program credits required in a degree, diploma or certificate program must be completed in residency (courses taught by MPTC instructors).
- Students in all programs are required to achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better in all attempted credits required in the program.
- All financial obligations to Moraine Park Technical College must be fulfilled in order to obtain certificate, diploma or degree documentation.
Graduation Application Instructions are available HERE.
- A graduation application must be completed in order to receive your certificate, technical diploma or associate degree.
- A graduation application must be completed even if you are not participating in the commencement ceremony.
Graduation applications are accepted at any time; however, the following deadlines apply to the commencement ceremony:
Winter Ceremony – December
- October 1 – Form must be submitted by this date to guarantee graduate candidate’s name will appear in the commencement program and to participate in the ceremony. The ceremony is for Associate Degree or Technical Diploma’s only. Certificate students do not participate in the ceremony.
Spring Ceremony – May
- March 1 – Form must be submitted by this date to guarantee graduate candidate’s name will appear in the commencement program. The ceremony is for Associate Degree or Technical Diploma’s only. Certificate students do not participate in the ceremony.
Graduates requiring disability-related accommodations to attend commencement must request accommodation(s) by contacting an Accommodation Specialist in Disability Resources by December 1st 2025 through https://morainepark-accommodate.symplicity.com/public_accommodation/.
Guests requiring disability-related accommodations to attend commencement should contact Becky Kuszynski, Disability Resources Manager at 920-924-3361, TTY/VP: Use Relay/VRS, or bkuszynski@morainepark.edu to make arrangements by December 1st 2025.