Meteorologist Chris Gloninger to Address Undergraduates at Plymouth State University’s 154th Commencement Ceremony
Plymouth State University (PSU) alumnus and meteorologist Chris Gloninger will deliver the keynote address for the university’s 154th undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. Sheryl Shirley, Ph.D., former commissioner of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, professor emerita of Political Science at Plymouth State University, and the current chair of Transport Central, will address graduates at the university’s graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, May 9, at 6 p.m. Both ceremonies will be held at the Bank of New Hampshire Field House in the Active Living, Learning, and Wellness (ALLWell) North Building on PSU’s Holderness campus.
Meteorologist and PSU alumnus Chris Gloninger will deliver the keynote address at Plymouth State University’s 154th undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. After an award-winning 18-year career in broadcast meteorology, Gloninger currently serves as a senior scientist in climate and risk communication at Woods Hole Group in Bourne, Mass.
Former Commissioner of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, Professor Emerita of Political Science at Plymouth State University, and the current Chair of Transport Central Sheryl Shirley, Ph.D., will be the keynote speaker at Plymouth State University’s graduate commencement ceremony on Friday, May 9, at 6 p.m.
“We are honored to welcome a distinguished alumnus and an esteemed professor emerita to Plymouth State University for our 2025 commencement ceremonies,” PSU President Donald L. Birx, Ph.D., said. “Chris’s and Professor Shirley’s journeys are testament to the values and education that PSU strives to impart. Their dedication, achievements, and contributions to their fields – and their commitment to standing up for their values – will serve as inspiration to our graduates as they embark on their own paths to success.”
Award-winning meteorologist Chris Gloninger’s fascination with meteorology ignited when Hurricane Bob struck his hometown of Sag Harbor, NY. After graduating from PSU in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and Atmospheric Science and receiving his Certified Broadcast Meteorologist accreditation from the American Meteorological Society, he embarked on a career in broadcasting.
Over Gloninger’s 18-year career as a broadcast meteorologist, he worked at television stations in New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and NBC-10 in Boston. Throughout his career, he covered various weather phenomena across various locations, including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, ice floes, blizzards and Nor'easters. He reported on hurricanes nationwide, covered two Super Bowls and created the country's first weekly series on climate change at NBC-10 Boston.
"In life, we will face storms—some literal, some deeply personal. What I’ve learned since graduating from Plymouth State is that we all need helpers, and we all have the capacity to be one,” said Gloninger. “I’m honored to return to the place where I found my purpose, to speak to the next generation about empathy, courage and standing up for what’s right—even when it comes at a cost."
In 2022, Gloninger transitioned from broadcasting to consulting in climate mitigation and resilience for Arcadis, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering. In 2023, he returned to Massachusetts where he continues to contribute his expertise to the field of meteorology and climate science as a senior scientist in climate and risk communication at Woods Hole Group in Bourne.
Sheryl Shirley will address students who have earned graduate degrees and certificates from PSU.
As Commissioner of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, Shirley worked to protect the public welfare, health and peace according to the New Hampshire constitution. She reviewed discrimination complaints and investigative reports, made determinations regarding probable cause and judged cases in public hearings of the state’s primary fair employment practices agency.
In her more than 20 years at PSU, Shirley’s teaching and research was interdisciplinary, connecting the fields of government, human rights, economics and environmental sustainability. She served as leader of one of PSU’s Integrated Learning Clusters, as chair of the general education committee, and as faculty adviser to various student organizations. She presented research at conferences of the New England and Northeastern Political Science Association and has published research in national and international journals.
Shirley holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from California Polytechnic State-Pomona and a master’s degree and doctoral degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin.
About Plymouth State University: Established in 1871, Plymouth State University serves the state of New Hampshire and the world beyond by transforming our students through advanced practices where engaged learning produces well-educated undergraduates, and by providing graduate education that deepens and advances knowledge and enhances professional development. The Plymouth State Cluster Learning Model emphasizes open, integrative, and project-based experiences. With distinction, we connect with community and business partners for economic development, technological advances, healthier living, and cultural enrichment with a special commitment of service to the North Country and Lakes Region of New Hampshire. To learn more about Plymouth State University, visit www.plymouth.edu.
