UNH Today

A philanthropic entrepreneur and the state’s longest-serving governor recently received the University of New Hampshire's most prestigious awards for their history of continued support and service to the university.

Peter Paul ’67, an entrepreneur and philanthropist whose $25 million gift launched the university’s new business school, was presented with the Hubbard Family Award for Service to Philanthropy. The award recognizes individuals whose philanthropic leadership and gifts have strengthened UNH and/or who have promoted philanthropy throughout the state. 

“It is an honor to recognize the outstanding generosity and spirit of these four remarkable alumni.” 

John Lynch ‘74, governor of New Hampshire from 2005-2013, was awarded the Charles Holmes Pettee Medal, given to honor the kind of devotion to service shown by the medal's namesake, the late Dean Charles Pettee, who, beginning in 1876, served the college for 62 years.

In addition, Len Willey ’55 received the alumni meritorious service award and Jackie MacMullan Boyle ’82 received the award of excellence for outstanding achievement.

“It is an honor to recognize the outstanding generosity and spirit of these four remarkable alumni,” said Debbie Dutton, vice president for advancement and president of the UNH Foundation. “Each one of them has made an indelible mark on the university and for that we are so grateful.”

Founder and chairman of Headlands Asset Management, Paul is also chairman of Peter Paul Wines and chairman of the board of The Headlands Foundation, a nonprofit he launched in 1995. In addition to his gift to the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, in 2001 he established the Peter T. Paul Chair in Space Science and the Dr. Samuel E. Paul Chair in Developmental Psychology in memory of his father.

Lynch is currently a clinical professor at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Previously, he was director of admissions and then associate dean at Harvard Business School. Lynch currently serves on the boards of FIRST Robotics, Primary Bank and Ping4, Inc. Before running for governor, he was chairman of the University System of New Hampshire board of trustees.  

Willey is a career pilot and former UNH basketball player. He served two terms on the Alumni Association board of directors and is a founding member of the Friends of Men’s Basketball board. He was recognized for his faithful and continued effort to maintain class or other alumni organizations. MacMullan Boyle, a nationally recognized award-winning sports broadcaster and columnist, was recognized for her significant accomplishments in her professional life and public service. She is the author of several books, including two she co-wrote with Celtics great Larry Bird and served as the national spokesperson for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.