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Granite State Award Recipient

Willem Lange

One of northern New England's best known storytellers, Willem Lange's rich and varied life experiences are the source of many enthralling tales.

Born in 1935, he was a child of deaf parents and grew up speaking sign language. He first came to New England to attend prep school in 1950 as an alternative to reform school.

During a few absences from New England, Lange earned a degree from the College of Wooster in Ohio. In between semesters, he worked as a ranch hand, Adirondack guide, preacher, construction laborer, bobsled run announcer, assembly line worker, cab driver, bookkeeper, and bartender. After graduating in 1962, he taught high school English in northern New York, filling in summers as an Outward Bound instructor.

From 1968 to 1972, Lange directed the Dartmouth Outward Bound Center. From 1972 until his "retirement" in 2007, he was a building and remodeling contractor in Hanover. Lange is the author of five books and his weekly "A Yankee Notebook" column has been a fixture in several newspapers throughout New England for over 25 years. A regular commentator and host for Vermont Public Radio and both Vermont and New Hampshire Public Television, Lange received an Emmy nomination for one of his Vermont Public Television commentaries.

Lange's life experiences give him a unique perspective on the world, and he believes an advanced degree is just one route to ultimately finding happiness. "I suppose that if one is going to follow a conventional career path, the advanced degree is an important qualification," he said. "Those who march to different drums make equally important contributions and do quite as well. But whatever you do, don't forget your IRA!"

His advice to new graduates? "Consider that everything you have—everything!—is a gift, and never forget the needs of the millions of your fellow creatures who have less, or even nothing."