DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire bestowed its most prestigious honors on renowned Emmy-winning television producer Marcy Carsey '66 '88H and former New Hampshire Charitable Foundation president Lewis Feldstein during a ceremony held on campus Sept. 19, 2014.

Carsey received the UNH Foundation's 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.

Feldstein was given the Charles Holmes Pettee Medal, established in 1940 to honor New Hampshire residents or former residents for outstanding accomplishment or distinguished service in any form to the state, the nation, or the world.

"The two individuals we honor tonight share a value that is at the very heart of our research, education, and outreach here at UNH: protecting and promoting the great quality of life we cherish in New Hampshire and throughout the region," UNH President Mark Huddleston said during the event.

In September 2013, Carsey donated $20 million to UNH for the creationof the new Carsey School for Public Policy. That generosity followed a 2002 gift of $7.5 million that launched the Carsey Institute, which conducts national and regional policy research on vulnerable children and families and on sustainable community development.

Carsey's long career in television began in 1966 as an NBC tour guide. By 1974 she had worked her way up to general program executive for comedy programming at ABC-TV. Six years later she ventured out on her own to pursue independent production, and in 1981, she teamed with Tom Werner to form Carsey-Werner Productions. They went on to produce such hits as "The Cosby Show" and "3rd Rock from the Sun."

Carsey received an honorary degree from UNH in 1988 and the UNH Alumni Association's highest honor, the Pettee Medal, in 1999. She is a founding member of the UNH Foundation board of directors.

Feldstein was president of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (NHCF) from 1986 to 2009. During his tenure, the Concord resident accomplished one of his greatest achievements with the establishment of the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund that helps support the development of family services in Coos County, a key area of research for UNH's Carsey School of Public Policy.  Under Feldstein's leadership, NHCF assets grew from $25 million to $415 million.

Prior to joining the NHCF, he served as provost of Antioch University New England Graduate School. Feldstein also co-chaired the Harvard University three-year executive seminar "Civic Engagement in America," and co-authored "Better Together: Restoring the American Community," both with Robert Putnam. He has spoken on social capital nationally and internationally.

Feldstein was the 2002 recipient of UNH's Hubbard Award. He is a graduate of Brown University and holds a master's degree in law and diplomacy from Tufts University. He has received six honorary doctorates.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling more than 12,200 undergraduate and 2,300.

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Photo image link: /unhtoday/news/releases/2014/09/images/evening-of-distinction-219-6495.jpg
University of New Hampshire 2014 Charles Holmes Pettee Medal recipient Lewis Feldstein with Marcy Carsey '66 '88H, who received the UNH Foundation's Hubbard Family Award for Service.

Video, Lewis Feldstein: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH4RbLOAw5o&feature=youtu.be   
The 2014 UNH Pettee Medal was awarded to former New Hampshire Charitable Foundation president Lewis Feldstein.

Video: Marcy Carsey: http://youtu.be/62ua1JmmevU
The Hubbard Family Award for Service to Philanthropy was awarded to Marcy Carsey '66 '88H.