Philanthropy Awards presented at Founders Day
Plymouth State celebrated Founders Day and its 150th Anniversary on Monday, March 22, 2021. The live-streamed event at 1:50 p.m. drew more than 6,600 viewers, with guest speakers including NH Governor Christopher T. Sununu, NH Senate President Chuck Morse ’84, and NH State Representative Matt Wilhelm ’04. Student Body President Avery Jones ’21 commemorated the day with a time capsule so that on Plymouth’s next landmark anniversary, its 175th birthday in 2046, campus and student leaders may open it and learn about what it was like to be at Plymouth in 2021.
As part of Founders Day, Plymouth State honored three individuals in the community who walk the talk and live a life of service and philanthropy.
Wally ’62 and Meredith Stevens ‘62, recipients of the Richard E. Collins Distinguished Philanthropy Medal
Wally was a founding member of the President’s Council and serves as a trustee on the USNH Board of Trustees. Together, Wally and Meredith have championed reunions with their beloved friends in the class of 1962 and contributed to scholarships and campaigns. They established the first endowed professorship, the Stevens-Bristow Endowed Professor, which recognizes extraordinary faculty who “educate the educators.”
Wally ’62 and Meredith Stevens ‘62. Jeremy Gasowski ’01 photo.
Professor Emerita Bonnie Breen-Wagner ’72. Mackenzie Fullerton ’17 photo.
Professor Emerita Dr. Bonnie Breen-Wagner ’72, recipient of the inaugural Employee Philanthropy Medal
The inaugural Employee Philanthropy Award will be named in Professor Breen-Wagner’s honor for her humble yet generous support of students and the University. She can often be seen at athletic contests, especially basketball and hockey, cheering on the Panthers and supporting her students. Bonnie received the James J. Hogan Memorial Award for support of student athletes in 2003 and the Theo Kalikow Award for the advancement of women at PSU in 2004. She has been a loyal donor to Plymouth State for three decades.
Bonnie ’72, Wally ’62, and Meredith ’62 have included PSU in their estate plans and are members of the Holmes Heritage Society. There are several easy ways to make an impactful gift, which not only helps distinguish Plymouth State as a vibrant public university engaged in innovative teaching and prepares students for successful careers, but could help you, your estate, and your heirs.
Leave a Legacy for the next 150 years of Plymouth State students. Learn more at plannedgiving.plymouth.edu, or contact John Scheinman P’19 at (603) 535-2805 or jscheinman@plymouth.edu.