The Hanaways, longtime philanthropic supporters of PSU, have sought to enrich the entire region through their support of artistic, cultural, and recreational initiatives.
To honor the loyal support offered by the Hanaways, Plymouth State named the 665-seat proscenium theatre in the Silver Center for the Arts the Hanaway Theatre, and the ice sheet in the PSU Ice Arena is the Hanaway Rink.
Deeply committed to the performing arts, the Hanaways have been avid advocates and supporters over the years of the New Hampshire Music Festival, which takes the stage each summer in the Hanaway Theatre. They volunteer their time in the adaptive ski program at Waterville Valley, working with disabled skiers during the winter months. Their support for the new PSU Ice Arena reflected their desire to expand recreational activities for people of all ages, resulting in greater community health and wellness.
The Hanaways have sought to enrich the entire region through their support of artistic, cultural, and recreational initiatives at PSU.
Being a street savvy small businessman, he wanted to get the "biggest bang" for his buck with his gifting, and he hoped his example would encourage others to realize that anyone can make a contribution to enhance their town and campus. Weighing in on the Silver Hall expansion in the heart of Plymouth, "Disco Dick" wondered, "Beethoven to the Beatles, does anything nurture community and connect folks more than music, shared performances, and the fine arts?" Deciding to give all he could was easy.
At the behest of former PSC President Bill Farrell, Dick and Betty made a generous contribution to Silver Hall with the proviso that the arts center be a bridge between the town and the campus. When the Plymouth State ski team needed help and when it was time for PSU to have its own hockey facility, they were there again, as they were repeatedly, for good projects. They received the Chancellor's Award from Plymouth State College in 1993; they also received the Richard E. Collins Medal for Distinguished Philanthropy and in 2011 honorary Doctorates of Business from Plymouth State University.
Dick's entrepreneurial spirit served the community well when, at the request of dear friend Steve Rand, Dick got involved with Main Street 2000, and again in 2009 when the New Hampshire Music Festival was foundering. Dick was approached and successfully took the helm of S.O.O.N. (Save Our Orchestra Now).
His generosity also included gifts to the La Salle Academy in Providence, RI; Plymouth Regional High School in Plymouth, NH; Holderness Prep School in Holderness, NH; and a major gift to Colgate University. Starting in 1990, Dick served Colgate University on the Alumni Board, the Alumni Corporation, and the Alumni Association. In 1996 he received Colgate's distinguished Maroon Citation.
