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KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Keene State College has announced that two prominent figures with longstanding connections to New Hampshire will be recognized during its 2026 commencement ceremonies.
Maggie Hassan, a longtime public servant and current U.S. senator, will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Meanwhile, Melinda Treadwell will be presented with the Granite State Award, the institution’s highest honor granted outside of an academic degree.
The ceremony is scheduled for May 9 on the Keene State campus, where graduates from the Class of 2026 will be celebrated alongside the honorees.
Interim President Donald L. Birx said both recipients have made lasting contributions through leadership roles in government, education, and civic life, helping to strengthen communities across the state.
Hassan’s career in public service spans more than 20 years. After first winning election to the New Hampshire State Senate in 2004, she went on to become the state’s third female governor in 2012. In 2016, she made history again as one of the few individuals in the state to serve as both governor and U.S. senator.
During her time as governor, Hassan focused on economic development, healthcare access, and the opioid crisis. She also supported higher education funding and initiatives aimed at keeping college affordable for New Hampshire residents. In the U.S. Senate, she has continued bipartisan efforts on issues such as infrastructure investment, rural broadband expansion, and healthcare reform, including legislation addressing surprise medical billing and substance use disorder treatment.
Treadwell’s recognition highlights a career deeply rooted in higher education. She spent more than two decades at Keene State, beginning as a faculty member in 2000 and later holding several leadership roles, including dean, provost, and vice president for academic affairs, before becoming the college’s 11th president.
Her tenure included navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and broader shifts affecting higher education. College officials credit her leadership with strengthening academic programs, supporting student success, and building partnerships that benefit the regional workforce. Treadwell has also contributed nationally through her involvement with organizations such as the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges and the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Additional details about commencement can be found on the college’s website.