Alumni Awards

Presentation of the awards will take place during the President's Reception at Homecoming Weekend on October 14, 2017. 

2017 Alumni Award Honorees

Young Alumni Award - Marek F. Rivero '11 '15G '15MBA

Distinguished Service Award - Elizabeth (Goff) LaClair '08 '10G & Wayne E. Robinson '81

Alumni Hall of Fame Award - Thomas M. Dionisio, Jr. '76

2016 Alumni Awards

Hall of Fame Award: K. Brian McLaughlin '88 & Linda (Marinaro) McLaughlin '89

Brian and Linda McLaughlin met at New Hampshire College in the 1980s. Brian received his Bachelor of Science in Economics/Finance in 1988; and Linda received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 1989. Together they lead Granite Group Benefits LLC., which they founded in 1992, where Brian is President/CEO and Linda serves as Marketing Manager.

Togther, Brian and Linda embody the goals of the institution and take their roles as alumni seriously to engage in the community, give back to SNHU, and hire SNHU students and alumni. Brian has previously served on the Alumni Board of Directors and has been a guest panelist and speaker for both academic and alumni programs. Understanding the role of philanthropy in higher education, they have consistently supported scholarships and the annual fund and more recently created the McLaughlin Career Development Fund to assist students in pursuing career development goals through experiential learning. Whether it’s giving time to talk with students about developing career aspirations to employing interns and new graduates within their organization, Brian and Linda consistently support SNHU’s commitment to student success.

In addition to their commitment to their alma mater, Brian serves on the board of Veterans Count and they are both very involved in community initiatives in Goffstown where they live and raise their family.

Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Stephen Painchaud

This year’s recipient, Dr. Steve Painchaud, has over 30 years of teaching, management, and consulting experience. A recently retired professor of organizational leadership, Dr. Painchaud has taught in the areas of strategic management, human relations, business trends, human resource management, and organization behavior. His consulting services to for-profit and non-profit organizations focus in the areas of organizational excellence, strategy, team development, human resources, and leadership.

Dr. Painchaud earned his Doctor in Education in Higher Education from Boston College and is a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). He earned an MS in Education from the University of Southern Maine and his BA from St. Joseph’s College, ME. He was the recipient of the International Teaching Excellence Award from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) in 2008 for outstanding leadership and service in business education.

Dr. Painchaud developed courses and taught in Southern New Hampshire University’s Three-Year Business Honors Program, a nationally recognized integrated, competency-based, undergraduate degree program from 1997 until his retirement. In 2012 he coauthored Saving Higher Education: The Integrated, Competency-Based Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree Program, which focuses on curriculum innovation and cost containment in higher education. The impact of the Three Year Honors program is exemplified in the strong ties that its alumni maintain with the program, their faculty and engagement with our SNHU community. Additionally, throughout his tenure at SNHU, Dr. Painchaud served in multiple leadership roles for the School of Business both at the undergraduate and graduate levels – consistently a voice of focus on student success and academic excellence.

Painchaud is active in his community, currently serving as a trustee and Chair of the Board for the Capital Region Food Program, an all-volunteer organization seeking to reduce hunger in the greater Concord, NH area, that he has been associated with since 1985.

Young Alumni Award: Michael J. Rizzi '09 '10G '12MBA

This year’s recipient received his Bachelor of Science, Business Administration (Three Year Business Honors Program) 2009; Master of Science, Organizational Leadership 2010; Master of Business Administration 2012 and currently is Talent Acquisition Partner, Medicus Healthcare Solutions; Adjunct Professor (Organizational Leadership), SNHU.

He is a frequent career volunteer on campus, helping UC students on their career development paths. Donor to Three Year Honors Program Scholarship Fund. Engaged in SNHU events and community building. Mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (Nov. 2013 – present). 2^nd Lieutenant, Civil Air Patrol (Sept. 2015 – present). Mike really stands out as an alumnus who not only directly gives of his time to students in their academic and career exploration, he has mentored, hired and inspired fellow alumni to really reach for success and invest back in SNHU to build our community. Mike is a great example of pride and advocacy for our alma mater and we love the challenge he gives to others to do the same.

Presentation of the 2016 awards took place during the President's Reception at Homecoming Weekend on Saturday October 15, 2016.

President Paul LeBlanc kicking the festivities off with a University update

Alumni Hall of Fame Award

Distinguished Service Award

Young Alumni Award

*Denotes deceased recipients