UNH Today

Retired Lt. Col. Scott “Kidd” Poteet ’96, who recently rocketed into space as the pilot for the Polaris Dawn mission, will deliver the University of New Hampshire commencement address across all three ceremonies on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Whittemore Center Arena at the Key Auto Group Complex. The Durham native, who was part of a team that traveled closer to the moon than anyone else since NASA’s 1970’s Apollo missions, will inspire the class of 2025 to chart their own course and reach for the stars.

“UNH has been a resounding presence in my life and has helped shape the person I am today,” says Poteet. “The university not only offered me a quality higher education but valuable skills and a strong community to help blaze my own path, not necessarily a standard one, but one that fit me and has taken me to places I could never have imagined.”

Poteet, who will also receive an honorary degree, retired after two successful decades of distinguished service in the U.S. Air Force. Poteet was the commanding officer of the 64th Aggressor Squadron, patrolled the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea, flew combat missions over Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq and even soared with the Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s elite precision team. 

Poteet found his love for flying at UNH when he went on a refueling flight in a KC-135 tanker while a part of UNH’s Air Force ROTC. He credits that experience as well as lessons learned in UNH’s outdoor education program and as a member of the cross-country and track team for setting him on a journey that helped shape his future.

In addition, the commencement speech for graduates at UNH’s Franklin Pierce School of Law will be delivered by Jake Sullivan, who served as the United States national security advisor to former President Joe Biden. He will speak at the law school ceremony on Friday, May 16 at 4 p.m. at White Park in Concord, and will also receive an honorary degree.

Sullivan will be joining the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law faculty as a senior fellow in August 2025. He is currently a senior fellow at UNH’s Carsey School of Public Policy. He has a distinguished career in government and served as national security advisor to former Vice President Biden, director of the policy planning staff at the U.S. Department of State and deputy chief of staff to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In the years between government service, Sullivan was a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He co-founded and co-chaired the advisory board for National Security Action, a nonprofit national security advocacy organization and served on the advisory boards of a number of organizations involved in foreign policy and national security. He has also held teaching posts at Dartmouth College and Yale Law School.

Other honorary degree recipients include:

Kelly Ayotte, New Hampshire governor

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics ceremony
Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m. at the Whittemore Center Arena at the Key Auto Group Complex

Ayotte is New Hampshire’s 83rd governor. She began her career in public service as a murder prosecutor before becoming New Hampshire's first and only female attorney general, serving under both a Republican and Democratic governor. Ayotte served in the United States Senate from 2011 to 2017, where she was rated one of the most bipartisan senators. Before she was elected governor, Ayotte spent several years working with companies in New Hampshire and across the country, including chairing the board of BAE Systems, Inc., New Hampshire’s largest manufacturing employer, and Cirtronics, an employee-owned manufacturing company in Milford.

Lou C. D'Allesandro '61, former New Hampshire state senator

College of Liberal Arts, College of Professional Studies and Carsey School of Public Policy ceremony
Saturday, May 17, 12:30 p.m. at the Whittemore Center Arena at the Key Auto Group Complex

D’Allesandro is a prominent political figure with more than 50 years of public service. As a new Hampshire state senator, he represented District 20, which included parts of Manchester and the town of Goffstown, from 1998 to 2024. He has been a key advocate for education, economic development and healthcare reform. He is well-known for his efforts to improve the state's public higher education system, including advocating for programs that help both students and veterans. Before his time in the Senate, D'Allesandro also served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives and was a member of the executive council. His background in education included time as president of Daniel Webster College, president of Nasson College, and vice president of Franklin Pierce University. He also served as a faculty member at Franklin Pierce University, St. Anselm College and New England College.

Steve Duprey, owner, Duprey Companies

UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law ceremony
Friday, May 16, 4 p.m. at White Park, Concord

Duprey is a prominent New Hampshire developer known for his real estate projects and nonprofit support. His business began in the 1980s with affordable and government-subsidized housing statewide and since then he has built, owned and managed numerous properties including five hotels and the Grappone Conference Center, the region’s largest conference center located in Concord. Duprey was elected to the New Hampshire state legislature in 1972 at the age of 18, where he served two terms. He was a senior advisor for John McCain’s 2007-2008 presidential campaign. Duprey has played a key role in Concord’s redevelopment, including revitalizing Main Street and preserving its historic buildings. Currently, he is working on Arts Alley, a multi-use eating and entertainment venue in downtown Concord. He also chairs the Pease Development Authority and serves on several nonprofit boards.

Bradley J. Olson '94JD/MICT, partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP

UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law ceremony
Friday, May 16, 4 p.m. at White Park, Concord

Olson began his career as a patent attorney and is currently a partner with the law firm of Barnes & Thornburg, LLP where he advocates and protects the rights of businesses and individuals. He also has extensive experience in various facets of patent and trademark litigation, both within the U.S. and across multiple European countries. Olson has represented clients in major intellectual property disputes, appearing before the International Trade Commission. He is the former national chairman of the Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce of the United States and was awarded a knighthood in the Swedish Royal Order of the Northern Star for achievements in promoting cultural and business exchange between the U.S. and Sweden.