By DAN SEUFERT

Graduates celebrate during Saturday's Plymouth State commencement. (Courtesy Plymouth State University)

PLYMOUTH – Standing at the podium in front of nearly 1,400 of her fellow graduates, Class of 2013 president Stephanie Melo looked up to the bright blue sky and reached her hand into the warm spring breeze.

“Life is like the ice storm we had in April,” Melo said. “Look what happened after the ice storm; it’s been 70 degrees ever since.”

“All of our hard work has paid off,” she said.

Bachelor’s and master’s degrees were awarded at Plymouth State University’s 142nd commencement, as were certificates of advanced graduate studies.

Commencement speaker Richard Solomon was given an honorary degree of humane letters. Solomon is the former president of the United States Institute of Peace. He is credited with playing a central role in negotiating international agreements and peace treaties, such as the first United Nations “Permanent Five” agreement.

Solomon began his remarks with a history lesson.

“I’m a child of the 20th century, a time of the Cold War, and genocide . a daunting and depressive chapter of history that you didn’t ask for,” he said.

But many good things came from the last century as well, he said, like “miracle drugs,” longer life spans, higher living standards, greater communications and the information revolution.

“You inherit this complex legacy of the 20th century, but you can be agents of change,” he said. “If that sounds like happy talk, ask a woman in Afghanistan why the U.S. is a beacon of hope for women around the world.”

He also asked graduates to “promote those social values that we honor.”

“The Ten Commandments are not the 10 suggestions,” he said.

dseufert@newstote.com

Published Date Friday, 17 May 2013 11:05

CRAWFORDNOTCH — Representatives of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and Plymouth State University (PSU) made their organizations’ commitment to continued collaboration official May 6 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding designed to foster ongoing sharing of resources and expertise.

Officials of both organizations cited similar goals and objectives and noted that continued coordination and collaboration will advance their respective missions, while helping both institutions make a positive impact on the region’s environment, economy, communities, and people.

Specifically, senior staff at the signing event spoke about mutual interests, goals, and objectives centered around education, scientific and environmental research, community partnerships, experiential learning, cultural and historic studies, and public service.

The memorandum was signed by AMC President John D. Judge and PSU President Sara Jayne Steen at AMC’s Highland Center at Crawford Notch.

“We are extremely pleased to formalize our collaborative working relationship with Plymouth State University, and we are energized by the prospect of a limitless number of exciting things we can accomplish together in support of our respective missions,” said Judge.

Steen agreed, saying “We are happy to extend our wonderful partnership with the AMC and advance our common mission for this region.”

Founded in 1876, the nonprofit AMC is the nation’s oldest conservation and recreation organization and operates roadside lodges, visitor centers, camps, shelters, and backcountry huts in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and Lakes regions. Its huts serve as centers for education and are venues for scientific research on alpine ecology and air quality. Its staff and volunteers maintain more than 1,500 miles of trails throughout the Northeast, provide outdoor leadership training, are active in conservation issues and public policy, and are committed to helping young people make a closer connection to the natural world.

PSU is a regional comprehensive university that provides well-educated graduates, offers ongoing opportunities for undergraduate and graduate education and professional development, conducts regionally and globally relevant research and extends to communities partnership opportunities for cultural enrichment and economic development. PSU recently opened the Museum of the White Mountains, where it is committed to interpreting and curating the region’s rich history.

The memorandum noted the two entities will foster effective and efficient communications; sharing of meeting space and archival resources; and “cooperative educational efforts in such areas as youth development, tourism, adventure education, natural and cultural history, and resource management.

AMC and PSU also agreed to initiate region-wide institutional collaborations with other organizations sharing similar goals.

AMC and PSU officials agreed to meet annually to identify collaborative projects to be pursued in the ensuing year and to report on results of recent shared efforts.

With more than 100,000 members, advocates, and supporters in the Northeast and beyond, the nonprofit Appalachian Mountain Club promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests,waters, and trails of the Appalachian region. The AMC supports natural resource conservation while encouraging responsible recreation, based on the philosophy that successful, long-term conservation depends upon firsthand enjoyment of the natural environment.

Plymouth State University is a regional comprehensive university offering a rich, student-focused learning environment with an enrollment of approximately 4,300 undergraduate and approximately 3000 graduate students. Plymouth State University has been honored for its teaching and research environment, innovation, “green” initiatives and civic engagement.

STUDENT FROM Holy Trinity Catholic School recently competed in National History Day at Plymouth State University. Front row, from left, Clara Jude, Madison Vickery and Dominique Bolduc. Back row, Ronnie Hook, Adrianna Dinsmoor, James Marceau, Caitlin Mallahan and Sarah Moran. COURTESY

LACONIA — Twelve students from Holy Trinity competed at the statewide National History Day competition held at Plymouth State University on Saturday, April 6.

The students created websites, documentaries, exhibits, papers or performances as individuals or in groups based on this year’s theme “Turning Points in History.”

The students participating were Dominique Bolduc, Katie DeRoche, Adrianna Dinsmoor, Ronnie Hook, Nicholas Jope, Clara Jude, Josh LeClaire, James Marceau, Caitlin Mallahan, Sarah Morin, Johnny Skehan, and Madison Vickery.

Holy Trinity School announced that nine of our students were selected to compete at the national competition to be held in College Park, Md., in June.

Morin will present her website about Alexander II and the Modernization of Russia. Jude’s paper highlighting Alice Paul and The National American Woman Suffrage Association will be judged for content, research sources and connection to the theme. Mallahan and Vickery will show their documentary about Patsy Mink and Title IX.

Bolduc, Dinsmoor and Marceau will perform their own play entitled: Edward Jenner and the Smallpox Vaccine. Hook and LeClaire will share their exhibit about the effect of Pearl Harbor and World War II on the American economy.

Karen Sullivan, the school’s social studies teacher who oversaw these projects, was awarded the New Hampshire National History Day Middle School Teacher Award of Excellence.

To attend this competition each student will need to raise roughly $500. Anyone who wishes to help support their efforts can make a donation by calling Holy Trinity School 524-3156.

By BOB MARTIN

bmartin@citizen.com

PLYMOUTH — Richard Solomon, former president of the United States Institute of Peace, has plenty of experience dealing with highly volatile nations in a peaceful manner through his years of experience. Friday he spoke with The Citizen about North Korea based on his personal views and the state of where the nation is at today.

Solomon feels that some of the largest problems when dealing with North Korea are the failing economy that has been on the downturn for many years, as well as stubbornness by its leadership and military.

“The North Koreans have a fundamental problem: their economy is broken,” Solomon said in an interview with The Citizen on Friday, following a speech he gave at Plymouth State University. “And the Chinese have been begging the North Koreans for decades to do what China has done and open up their country to the world, reform their economy, stop putting all the money into the military and create a viable situation for their people. And the North Koreans won’t do it. The new leadership who has just taken over with Kim Jong Un, I believe, has been pushed by the Chinese again to focus on economic reform. The military in North Korea have been pushing back. I think they are in the middle of a big debate internally. So, what I think we should be doing is work with the Chinese and the South Koreans to create conditions where the North Korean leadership will basically change their policy.”

While Solomon is known mostly for his time as president of the United States Institute of Peace from 1993 to 2012, he was involved with North Korea in years before this. Solomon was assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs from 1989 to 1992. While there, he had a leading role in the dialogue on nuclear issues between the United States and South and North Korea as well as helping to establish the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation initiative.

Solomon said that the new regime is a step towards change compared to years prior, where Kim Jong Un’s father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung led North Korea. He called it a “mafia regime,” where the Kim family runs the show and the military is relied on for support and security. However, he said that with a young leader it may be a chance to step in the right direction due to his long future ahead of him.

“Now you have a third generation leader and I think this young guy, he’s coming in, and I don’t think he is as secure in his leadership position as people tend to assume,” said Solomon. “He has to look forward to 40 or 50 years of leadership with a broken economy. So what may be new or promising about this situation, again, is you have a good argument that he doesn’t want his tenure during his period to be limited to be heeding nuclear weapons. So, as I said, I think our policy should be working in tandem with the South Koreans and the Chinese to try to nurse this new leader, leadership, in the direction of focusing on economic development.

“But ultimately, their core is their security and they conclude that if they don’t have any nuclear weapons they are going to be run over. What’s their greatest fear? The first fear is their own people. The average height of a North Korean inductee is two or three inches shorter than in the south because of malnutrition. The second fear is the tremendous success of South Korea. They are worried about being dependent on China. If you understand that dynamic, the question is how can we say to them, ‘here’s a way of establishing your security, but to the benefit of your own people.’”

Solomon said that the poor conditions put upon the residents of North Koreans make it difficult for Congress to act peacefully, however.

“Now you tell me, will our congress, given the terrible human rights record in North Korea and that they are threatening to bomb us with nuclear weapons, is congress going to support a soft diplomatic approach with these guys? You tell me.”

While Solomon did not comment on whether he felt that North Korea is a legitimate nuclear threat, he stressed that they are, indeed, a major military threat. He said that this has been something apparent for decades and the real threat at this time is them proliferating nuclear technology to other areas.

“Think of it from their point of view,” Solomon said. “They don’t want to be the target of our pressure. They’d much rather have us in a fight with the Iranians, which distracts our attention and resources to another part of the world. I think our major concern is their proliferation.”

Solomon is the commencement speaker at Plymouth State University’s graduation today, taking place today, at 10 a.m., on Currier Field.

The Littleton Courier, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

PLYMOUTH –Plymouth State University’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability has led to its being named among North America’s greenest colleges. The 2013 Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges is an in-depth look at the most environmentally friendly institutions of higher learning. The Princeton Review, in collaboration with the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, noted PSU has demonstrated ‘notable commitments to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation.’ PSU President Sara Jayne Steen said the students, faculty, and staff are dedicated to sustainability and the ranking recognizes the University’s achievements.

“Members of the campus community are rightly committed to environmental sustainability,” said Steen. “You see that in coursework, student programming, the campus landscaping, even in dining services. Many people deserve recognition for their thoughtful and multi-faceted work.”

The Review noted “there is a rising interest among students in attending colleges that practice, teach, and support environmentally responsible choices.” This is the third consecutive year Plymouth State has been included in the greenest college ranking by the Princeton Review.

The Princeton Review chose the schools based on a detailed survey it conducted in 2012 of administrators at hundreds of colleges across the U.S. and in Canada to tally its annual “Green Rating” scores of colleges for its school profiles in its college guidebooks and website.

Brian Eisenhauer, PSU’s Director of Environmental Sustainability, said he is encouraged that the University’s sustainability efforts are being recognized.

“Environmental sustainability is very important to our identity, operations, and the educational experiences we offer students at Plymouth State University,” said Eisenhauer. “Having our efforts recognized by third party evaluators such as The Princeton Review is something we take pride in, as it demonstrates that our commitment to sustainability is a serious and successful one.”

Robert Franek, Senior VP/Publisher, The Princeton Review, noted the significant interest today’s college-bound students have about green issues.

“We recommend these schools to all students seeking colleges that practice and promote environmentally responsible choices,” said Franek.

The Berlin Reporter, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

BATON ROUGE, La. —The following local residents recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Kristen Blais of Berlin initiated at Plymouth State University, Brittany Raymond of Gorham initiated at Plymouth State University, Amy Clark Canty of Twin Mountain initiated at Plymouth State University, Jordann Hatfield of Jefferson initiated at University of Maine.

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts annually approximately 32,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” For more information, visit www.PhiKappa-Phi.org.

School, outdoor group strengthen partnership, plan future projects

By DAN SEUFERT
Union Leader Correspondent

Plymouth State President Sara Jayne Steen and Appalachian Mountain Club President John D. Judge were at Crawford Notch Monday for the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the sharing of resources and expertise between the two organizations. (Courtesy)

 

PLYMOUTH — On Saturday, April 6, New Hampshire students take a step (or more) back in time during National History Day (NHD) at Plymouth State University.

NHD is an education program helping students in grades six through 12 engage the social studies by designing and completing original research on a topic of interest; this year’s theme is “Turning Points in History.” Students may choose a topic concerning the history of any time period of world history.

“Projects usually cover a broad range of interesting topics, from the local history of a New England company or personality, to the classic events of ancient history,” said PSU Professor of History Dr. John Krueckeberg. “What makes this national history day is the fact that students around our country are engaging this award-winning (and free) curricular program all in the same month; spending the day presenting their history and defending it to a team of judges.”

Students choose historical topics related to the theme and conduct extensive primary and secondary research through libraries, archives, museums, oral history interviews and historic sites. After analyzing and interpreting their sources, and drawing conclusions about their topics’ significance in history, students present their work in original papers, websites, exhibits, performances and documentaries. Just a few of this year’s 100 entries include a paper on the Weeks Act as a turning point in the history of New Hampshire’s White Mountains and an exhibit looking at the Weeks Act’s role in US History, a Web site on the battle of Midway, a performance on Edward Jenner and the smallpox vaccination, a paper on Chernobyl and the collapse of the USSR, a Web site on King Leopold II and African history, a documentary on the Sharpeville massacre and South African Aparteid, a Web site on the Greco-Persian wars, and a documentary using Kristalnacht as its turning point. Students compete as individuals or groups. Schools are encouraged to have their own local competition and are allowed to send the top two projects in each group to represent the school at States. At States, the top three projects will win medals and then the top two projects in each group – junior for grades six through eight, or senior for grades nine through 12 – qualify for the national competition in June at the University of Maryland – College Park. Special Awards also will be given for New Hampshire history and New England History. Also this year the New Hampshire Humanities Council is sponsoring a special award for a project that best embraces the importance of communicating humanities issues to the public. The National Archives and Records Administration will commend several local students with certificates acknowledging ‘best use of a primary document.’ (Twice New Hampshire students have won the prestigious “Archivist’s Award” at Nationals).

“Of course, all the students are winners, even if they don’t leave PSU with a medal or the opportunity to represent our Granite State at Nationals this summer,” says PSU’s Dr. Patrick May, co-coordinator of the program with Krueckeberg. He continues: “They’ve improved the job-ready skills they’ll need when they enter the New Hampshire labor force: analyzing information, synthesizing it, and presenting a conclusion based upon it; speaking in public and communicating effectively; working independently or in group collaborations. And this is to say nothing of the preparation for college level work that some will have engaged for the first time, even though they may have years to go before attending a university.”

Krueckeberg adds: “One of the things I hear most from the parents who attend States with their children is ‘Why didn’t I have social studies taught like this?’ Everyone involved with this program is impressed that students embrace the learning of history with a passion quite the opposite of that portrayed in popular media – that of the boring history class. National History Day brings the past alive for students and allows them not to ‘study’ history, but to ‘do’ history. And they’re great at it!”

Judging begins at 9:30 a.m. in PSU’s Hartman Union Building and Hyde Hall. Documentaries and performances are open to the public judging interviews end at lunchtime. The exhibit hall is open to the public from 1:30 to 3:15 p.m., at which time the awards ceremony commences. At 2 p.m., keynote speaker Professor Emeritus Richard Hesse will offer a “Humanities to Go” presentation on the Founding Generation and the US Constitution as a turning point in history. New Hampshire’s program has been hosted by Plymouth State University since 2003.