Keene, NH, April 18, 2012: Keene State College will be hosting its Commencement 2012 on Saturday, May 5.

When and Where
Keene State College Fisk Quad
Student procession begins at 12:15 p.m.
Ceremony begins at 1 p.m. and concludes around 3:30 p.m.

Speakers
Mary Ann Kristiansen - Granite State Award
Janet Cohen - Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters

Mary Ann Kristiansen is an entrepreneur, artisan, and community-builder. She has demonstrated her commitment to building and strengthening local business, and to contributing to the economic development of the Monadnock Region and New Hampshire.

Mary Ann moved to the region as an artisan with a background in marketing and business administration and a Masters degree in Public Administration. Buckminster Farm, her home-based business, made soap and other hand-crafted goods that were sold internationally.

She had great success selling her products to businesses outside of Southwest New Hampshire, but realized there were few places to sell locally made products from small-scale businesses, and also room to enhance the skills of local producers to grow their businesses.

Mary Ann opened Hannah Grimes Marketplace in 1997 to create opportunities for local artists and artisans to display and sell their work.

Jan Cohen demonstrates outstanding humanitarian efforts and social responsibility. Her endeavors have made an indelible and positive impact not only on Keene State College and the Monadnock region, but also on the larger human community.

Jan's vision and her outreach are wide and global. She uses her own personal leverage intelligently and gracefully in effecting change for the betterment of humanity.

While studying European and German history at the University of Vienna, Austria, as part of an honors B.A., Jan developed her strong interest in the Holocaust and its impact throughout Europe and the world.

Since that time, she has promoted awareness of the Holocaust and related issues of genocide, tolerance, and diversity through education, research, and advocacy. In partnership with the Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and composer Dr. Lawrence Siegel, she served as executive producer of Kaddish, a musical oratorio that offers reflections on the Holocaust.

More information on Commencement.

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