Both former Keene State College President Melinda Treadwell and United States Senator Maggie Hassan will be honored during the upcoming Commencement Ceremony on May 9. Treadwell will be receiving the Granite State Award and Hassan will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
The Granite State Award is the highest non-degree honor that a recipient can receive and recognizes individuals or organizations who have made substantial and meaningful contributions to New Hampshire.
Treadwell, who served as KSC’s president from 2019 to 2025 before becoming the president for SUNY Geneseo, spoke on her feelings about returning to the college and being the recipient of the Granite State Award.
“I am humble beyond words,” Treadwell said. “It’s very emotional for the class of 2026 to want me back. I feel very grateful.”
Treadwell received word from the commencement team about a month prior that she would be honored at the ceremony. She added that she was planning to attend the ceremony either way, and that she “had every intention to be there” regardless of the award.
“I’m very much looking forward to it,” Treadwell said. “I hope that in any small measure my presence will help. The Chancellor will be there as well.”
Treadwell expressed gratitude towards the class of 2026, specifically for the award.
“Thank you so much for this incredible honor,” Treadwell said. “I miss you all.”
Maggie Hassan, who serves as the junior United States Senator for New Hampshire, will be receiving the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree, which honors individuals who reflect highly on the state and have made significant changes nationally or even internationally.
Hassan formerly served as the governor of New Hampshire from 2013 to 2017. She also held the position of state senate majority leader from 2008 to 2010.
Hassan is a current member of the Democratic Party and received a Doctor of Law (J.D.) from the Northeastern University School of Law.
Senator Hassan expressed excitement and gratitude for the award through an email response.
“I am grateful to receive an honorary degree from Keene State – a school that has educated generations of Granite Staters and drawn students from across the nation and the world,” Hassan stated. “I also appreciate the opportunity to celebrate this year’s graduates, who have completed the remarkable feat of earning a four-year college degree. We live in a world with no shortage of challenges, but this year’s graduates, through the perseverance and hard work required to earn this degree, have shown that they are capable of meeting those challenges head on.”
Chloe Erno can be contacted at
cerno@kscequinox.com
