KEENE, NH – Keene State College is set to host its 2023 Commencement Ceremony this weekend, and the college is steering visitors clear of Winchester Street.

KSC Communications Director Paul Miller told WKBK earlier this week that the student parking lot on Winchester Street will remain open, otherwise, commencement traffic will be directed away from the area as the Winchester Street Reconstruction Project continues.

Designated parking areas will be set up in the Timken and C&S lots at 7 and 10 Optical Avenue, and at 380 Marlborough Street, which is the Keene Ice parking lot. There will be college parking attendants at those areas from 9:45 am to 5 pm on Saturday.

Shuttle busses from those parking areas will run from 9:45 to noon, and again from 3:15 – 5 pm.

There is no commencement parking for the public in the Elliot Lot on Wyman Way, as that is being used for Keene State faculty and staff.

The commencement ceremony begins Saturday at 1 pm.

In a news release in March, the college announced two honorees who will be receiving special awards during the commencement. This includes U.S. Congresswoman Annie Kuster who will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

Dr. Don Caruso, President and CEO of Cheshire Medical Center will receive the 2023 Granite State Award. That award is presented annually to a person, agency, corporation, or foundation that “demonstrates outstanding achievement in their field and contributes significantly to the welfare or success of the state.”

Caruso is set to retire this month after more than three decades of service at Cheshire Medical, including more than seven years as the hospital’s chief executive.

A student will also be recognized with the Leo F. Redfern Outstanding Citizenship Award. That recipients name is kept confidential until announced at the ceremony.