KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Keene State College has announced its distinguished honorees for this year’s commencement, set to take place on Saturday, May 10, at the campus’s Fiske Quad. Among those being recognized are bestselling author Jodi Picoult and accomplished political strategist David Wenhold, a Keene State alum.

The college will present Picoult with the 2025 Granite State Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their field and to the state of New Hampshire. With more than 40 million books sold worldwide, Picoult has brought national attention to New England through her novels, many of which are set in the region. A longtime Hanover resident, she has penned 28 books, including My Sister’s Keeper, Mad Honey, and her latest release, By Any Other Name.

Wenhold, a 1990 graduate of Keene State, will receive the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, the college’s highest individual honor. As CEO of Kautter Wenhold Management Group and a co-founder of Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, he has spent decades advocating for policy change in Washington, D.C. His work has led to federal funding for various professions, including the court reporting industry, and earned him the Call to Service Award from former President George W. Bush—making him the first lobbyist to receive the nation’s highest honor for volunteerism.

Reflecting on the award, Wenhold expressed gratitude for his time at Keene State, calling the recognition “humbling and inspiring.” A first-generation college graduate from Portsmouth, NH, he credits the school with shaping his career in politics and government relations.

Alongside Picoult and Wenhold, a third honoree—yet to be announced—will receive special recognition during the ceremony. Additionally, Keene State will present the Leo F. Redfern Outstanding Citizenship Award, the college’s most prestigious student honor.