Alumni Profiles

LINE ITEMS: Four UNH alumni either occupying the governor's office or in the line of succession to it: from left, Secretary of State Bill Gardner '70, House Speaker Doug Scamman '64, Senate President Ted Gatsas '73 and New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch '74.

"Anything for UNH," bellows Senate President Ted Gatsas '73 as he and the state's three other top officials jockey for position at a recent photo opportunity at the Upham Walker house in downtown Concord. It is between legislative sessions on this blustery late-winter day, and Gatsas, Gov. John Lynch '74, House Speaker Doug Scamman '64, and Secretary of State Bill Gardner '70 are gathered to mug for the camera. As far as anyone can tell, it may be the first time in New Hampshire history that UNH alumni have occupied the four top slots in the state house. And in honor of the occasion, the university has invited all statehouse UNHers to lunch.

The atmosphere in the room feels like a college reunion as the four dignitaries gather as schoolmates rather than political power brokers. Lynch teasingly offers to show Gatsas where the UNH library is. This appears to be a running joke. Gatsas tells a story about how Lynch once gave him a piece of the carpet from the old Dimond Library, "since you'd never seen it!" Gardner is eager to point out that he and Scamman are fraternity brothers—both members of Phi Mu Delta.

But these four share a fraternity much deeper than the Greek system. As the state's top governing officials, they take advantage of the relationships they have nurtured since their days in Durham. "UNH gave me a great education and the opportunity to meet wonderful people who I still see," says Lynch. Gardner speaks regularly with retired classics professor Richard Desrosiers. "He still helps me," says Gardner, who looks to the civil leaders of ancient Rome as an example for the New Hampshire citizen legislature of today.

For Scamman, UNH offered the opportunity "for someone like me, a farm boy, to broaden my world." Gatsas attributes his fighting attitude to the lessons he learned from football coach Norton. And equally important, he says, "UNH instilled in me the idea of giving something back."

The foursome, and more than 50 legislators and state house employees who are enjoying lunch in a nearby room, know a lot about giving back. All are UNH alums who have gathered here for "Under the Dome," an event sponsored by UNH and the Alumni Association to enhance communication with the legislature and learn how the university can serve it more effectively.

Talk ranges from social niceties to the recent controversial decision at UNH to eliminate four varsity sports teams. Gatsas is particularly miffed about the changes. As a matter of fact, he is still upset about the demotion of baseball from varsity to club status. "There's no question that UNH is a great environment and a great education, but students shouldn't leave with a bitter taste," he says.

Still, the atmosphere is jovial. "We all loved UNH and still do," says Lynch. "We appreciate our days there and think they contribute a lot to what we do today. We are fortunate to have a phenomenal university system." And, he adds with a wink, "the line of succession is well protected."