News Clips

PLYMOUTH — The following students were awarded degrees from Plymouth State University at their 142nd Commencement ceremony May 18:

George Poulin of Plymouth, Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Laura Dion of Ashland, Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Chelsea McLean of Campton, Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology/Sociology

Kelsea Raymond of Holderness, Bachelor of Arts in Art

Joshua Thompson of Holderness, Master of Science in Athletic Training

Michelle Crosby of Ashland, Master of Science in Athletic Training

Marita Clark of Warren, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Shayna Norman of Hebron, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Ashley Maxner of Campton, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Ashley Penn of Plymouth, Bachelor of Science in Childhood Studies

Alexandra Noble of Bristol, Bachelor of Science in Childhood Studies

Christopher Chant of Holderness, Bachelor of Science in Childhood Studies

Elena Kulig of Plymouth, Bachelor of Science in Childhood Studies

Jessica Brown of Plymouth, Bachelor of Science in Childhood Studies

Michael Miller of Plymouth, Bachelor of Science in Childhood Studies

Paul Richards of Bristol, Bachelor of Science in Childhood Studies

Devon Pasco of Campton, Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Media Studies

Michael Lombard of Bristol, Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Media Studies

Rachel Umberger of Campton, Master of Education in Counselor Education

Christopher Rideout of Ashland, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

Sarah Weeks of Campton, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

Jennifer Wrath of Ashland, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

Norah Aldujayn of Holderness, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

Nicole Daugherty of Campton, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies

Stephanie Melo of Holderness, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies

Michelle Diamond of Plymouth, Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Leadership

Ruth DeCotis of Wentworth, Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Leadership

Alaa Alsubhi of Holderness, Master of Education in Educational Leadership

Jill Martineau of Plymouth, Master of Education in Educational Leadership

Craig Carpenter of Holderness, Teacher Certification in Educator Certification

Michelle Bobb of Ashland, Master of Education in Elementary Education

Adam Di Filippe of Ashland, Bachelor of Arts in English

Bethany Veith of Holderness, Bachelor of Arts in English

Kayley Fouts of Ashland, Bachelor of Arts in English

Melissa Fintonis of Plymouth, Bachelor of Arts in English

Michael Zarnowski of Campton, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning

Gregory Beebe of Plymouth, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Policy

Meghan MacDonald of Plymouth, Master of Business Administration in General Management

William Sweeney of Alexandria, Certificate in Health Care Administration

Kelsie Eckert of Plymouth, Master of Education in Heritage Studies

Jessica Marker of Campton, Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

Kathleen McPherson of Plymouth, Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

Lindsey Tebaldi of Ashland, Master of Arts in Teaching in K-12 Art Education

Suzanne Thibault of Plymouth, Master of Arts in Teaching in K-12 Art Education

Tamara Mann of Plymouth, Master of Arts in Teaching in K-12 Art Education

Hani Alahmadi of Plymouth, Master of Education in K-12 Education

Rachelle Lyons of Plymouth, Master of Education in K-12 Education

Devin Page of Ashland, Bachelor of Science in Management

Sarah Levi of Campton, Bachelor of Science in Management

Caitlin Swanson of Holderness, Bachelor of Science in Marketing

Christie Quaranta of Campton, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

Sarah Butler of Plymouth, Master of Education in Mathematics Education

Amanda Tobine of Campton, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Deborah Danzig of Campton, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Danielle Bicknell of Ashland, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Kendra Newton of Warren, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Kristin Melendy of Campton, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Sherri Perry of Ashland, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Angela Uhlman of Holderness, Certificate in Organizational Approaches to Transformation and Healing

Bridget Regan of Plymouth, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Stephanie Messina of Plymouth, Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Kristin Smith of Plymouth, Master of Education in Reading and Writing Specialist

Julie Tallman of Campton, Master of Education in Secondary Education

Phillip Davis of Bristol, Certificate in Small Business Institute

Teirrah Hussey of Hebron, Certificate in Small Business Institute

Jamie King of Wentworth, Bachelor of Science in Social Science

Stephanie Burge of Ashland, Bachelor of Science in Social Science

Annette Daniels of Plymouth, Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Emily Durand of Plymouth, Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Lauren Doucette of Bristol, Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

Carol Foley of Holderness, Professional Certification in Specialist Credential

Christine Gauthier of Campton, Professional Certification in Specialist Credential

Teirrah Hussey of Hebron, Certificate in Strategic Marketing

Sarah Hancock of Holderness, Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts

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 3,000 graduate students.

The 170-acre campus offers a New England classic look combined with up-to-date facilities including the Lamson Library and Learning Commons; the Boyd Science Center; Langdon Woods, a LEED certified, environmentally conscious residence hall; and PSU’s newest addition, a Welcome Center and Ice Arena and the Silver Center for the Arts. Plymouth State University is part of the University System of New Hampshire and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

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