Keene State College will honor United States Senator Maggie Hassan and Dr. Melinda Treadwell during its 2026 Commencement ceremonies, according to an announcement on Apr. 23. Senator Hassan will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree, while Dr. Treadwell will be presented with the Granite State Award, the college’s highest non-degree honor.
The ceremony is scheduled for May 9 on Keene State’s campus and will celebrate both the achievements of the graduating class and the service of these two leaders with strong ties to New Hampshire.
“Senator Hassan and Dr. Treadwell exemplify the very best of public service, leadership, and commitment to New Hampshire,” said Interim KSC President Donald L. Birx, Ph.D. “Through their work, in government, higher education, and civic life, they have strengthened communities across our state and inspired generations of students. We are proud to recognize their lasting contributions.”
Senator Maggie Hassan has served New Hampshire for over twenty years in various roles including as a state senator beginning in 2004, governor starting in 2012—the third woman elected to that office—and as a United States senator since 2016. As governor she oversaw economic growth initiatives such as launching Live Free & Start for startups, expanded Medicaid access for healthcare coverage, combated opioid addiction efforts statewide, advocated for public higher education funding restoration resulting in tuition freezes at state universities.
In her current role as senator she has contributed bipartisan leadership toward national infrastructure investments benefiting New Hampshire through bridge repairs and rural broadband expansion; worked across party lines to end surprise medical billing; increased federal support ninefold for substance use disorder programs; championed science policy which earned her recognition from the Science Coalition with its Champion of Science Award in 2024.
Dr. Melinda Treadwell is being recognized with the Granite State Award for her longstanding commitment to public higher education—serving Keene State College since joining its faculty in 2000 before becoming dean then interim provost then vice president for academic affairs then ultimately serving as president during challenging times such as COVID-19 pandemic disruptions along with demographic shifts affecting college enrollment nationwide.
Her tenure emphasized student success initiatives alongside workforce partnerships regionally within Monadnock area plus promoting lifelong learning opportunities locally while also serving nationally through organizations like Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges or NCAA Division III Management Council or New England Commission on Higher Education.
Further details about Keene State College’s upcoming commencement can be found at http://www.keene.edu/commencement.
