Avary Thorne

Presidential Award of Excellence, 2017

Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, College of Liberal Arts

Academic/Student Services Assistant

If you imagine a future where smart electronic devices can take care of every need, our colleagues in the College of Liberal Arts are happy to let you have it.

That is, so long as they have Avary Thorne on board. In her role, Avary brings an unimaginable mix of intelligence, ingenuity and positive energy. And her commitment to our community contributes to the great atmosphere within COLA and the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

Avary is a “go-to” resource who goes far beyond her job description every day. Students, especially, learn this early on. Beginning early each semester, they line up outside her office, where they know they’ll find great answers, and wise advice on everything from academic challenges to international studies and post-graduate work.

By nature, Avary is also the first to pitch in for special events, including a German Immersion Day for local high school students, the Confucius Institute Chinese Language Symposium and COLA’s four open houses for admitted students.

She also spearheads COLA-wide initiatives through the dean’s office. These include the 150 Hours of Service program in September, which rallied dozens of faculty, students and staff volunteers to beautify campus buildings and grounds in honor of UNH’s 150^th anniversary.

In December, she helped lead COLA’s contributions to Feed 150, which collected enough sustainable food items to feed 150 families.

And when snow covered our campus in March, she created a Shovel Brigade with UNH facilities, COLA and Student Life to keep our walkways clear and safe. Thanks to efforts like these, people across UNH gain a deeper appreciation for each other and become connected to a larger, diverse and compassionate UNH community.

Avary does all this with an infectious smile, and her bright spirit helps lighten our heaviest burdens. Her contributions help establish UNH as a great place to work, as well as a great place to study and conduct research.