Author Picoult, Alum Wenhold Will Be Among Honorees at College's Commencement in May
Keene State College will bestow two individuals with special awards and another with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree at its annual Commencement on Saturday, May 10, starting at 1 p.m.
President Melinda Treadwell ‘90 will award associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees to several hundred graduates at Commencement, held outdoors at the Fiske Quad in the center of campus.
Two of the three awardees have been named: David Wenhold ’90 will receive the honorary degree, and bestselling author Jodi Picoult will receive the 2025 Granite State Award.
At Commencement, the College will also recognize a student with the Leo F. Redfern Outstanding Citizenship Award. The recipient’s name is confidential until announced. The Redfern Award is the highest recognition given to a Keene State student.
David Wenhold ‘90, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
The College confers this degree each year to an outstanding individual of national and/or international importance whose contributions have enhanced society or brought significant enrichment or benefit to a particular group.
Mr. Wenhold is the chief executive officer of Kautter Wenhold Management Group and co-partner of Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies. His work has spanned government relations, grassroots lobbying, trade association management, and organizational development.
He was awarded the Call to Service Award, the country’s highest award for citizen volunteerism, by former President George W. Bush for his work with the American League of Lobbyists on Capitol PurSuit, a volunteer effort to provide professional attire to people searching for work. Mr. Wenhold is the first lobbyist to receive this award.
The College has offered this honorary degree to 83 individuals over its 116-year history; 23 recipients are alumni.
“To be acknowledged by this incredible community is humbling and inspiring,” he posted. “I will represent KSC well and continue to help others for the rest of my life.”
A first-generation student, Wenhold said Keene State set his career path and helped to shape him as a person.
He grew up in Portsmouth, NH, and received his B.A. in political science from Keene State. As an aide for then U.S. Senator Warren Rudman, he worked on federal, state, and local political campaigns.
His resume includes roles at the Direct Impact Company, a venerable grassroots lobbying firm in Washington, and the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), where he became director of government relations and public policy. Lobbying and advocacy work that he was a part of led to Congress earmarking tens of millions of dollars for the court reporting profession.
He co-founded Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies after leaving the NCRA.
Jodi Picoult, Granite State Award
The Granite State Award is awarded annually to a person, agency corporation, or foundation that demonstrates outstanding achievement in their field and contributes significantly to the welfare or success of the state.
Ms. Picoult is a popular NY Times bestselling author. Her 28 novels and short-story collections have sold more than 40 million copies in 35 countries.
She is a resident of Hanover, NH, and many of her novels are set in the state.
Ms. Picoult received a bachelor’s degree in English from Princeton University and a master’s degree in education from Harvard University. She has received honorary doctorates from Dartmouth College and the University of New Haven.
She was the Class Day Speaker before Princeton’s 2016 commencement.
The Storyteller; My Sister’s Keeper; Mad Honey, which she co-authored with Jennifer Finney; and her most recent novel, By Any Other Name, published last August, are among her most well-known books.
A handful of Ms. Picoult’s books have been adapted for film and television.
These awards represent a Keene State tradition that spans more than 50 years and honors those whose outstanding accomplishments reflect the vision and values of the College.
