Alumni News

Leaders in Training
"I'm inspired," says Nicole Carelli '07, who attended this year's Alumni Volunteer Leadership Conference. The spring event drew more than 65 participants, about twice as many as the first conference in 2011, according to Kelly Calhoun '99, director of alumni engagement. These were volunteers on a mission, volunteers ready to advocate for UNH.

During the daylong session, attendees learned about some of the financial and political challenges facing the university, including the recent drastic cuts in state funding. (See page 8 for details on these numbers.)

Volunteers also committed to helping out, collecting ideas for action that will be featured in an online video. Ideas ranged from promoting UNH on social media to contacting state legislators and encouraging them to support the university. "Hearing where we fall short—and what can happen if we don't get proper funding—was really eye opening," says Carelli, who plans to reach out to fellow alums to encourage them to get involved.

Election News
Heidi Ames '02, Andre Garron '86, Nicole Haley '05G, Steve Pannucci '96, and Ken Wade '63 were elected to three-year terms on the Alumni Association board. Tim Riley '76 was elected to a second four-year term as alumni representative on the USNH board.

Fond Farewell
Maggie Morrison '82, associate director of alumni engagement, was known for her love of tradition and history and her dedication to UNH. Chapter gatherings, reunions, homecomings—for more than 30 years, she was a familiar presence at countless events. "Her spirit and enthusiasm was greatly valued," says Steve Donovan, executive director of the UNH Alumni Association, "and she will be greatly missed."

Bon Voyage
After more than a decade at the helm of UNH Magazine, Meg Torbert has retired to take the helm on an actual sailboat for a trip down the East Coast with husband Roy Torbert, professor of physics.

Under Meg's tenure, the magazine, which comes out three times a year and goes to 127,000 readers, garnered 17 regional and national awards for excellence in writing and photography from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. As director of alumni communications, she was also responsible for the development of the university's alumni website, Wildcat World, a forerunner of the new UNH Connect. (See page 40.)

"Meg's commitment to fine writing and eye-catching photography, and her meticulous attention to detail was evident throughout the pages of the magazine," says Steve Donovan, executive director of the Alumni Association. "We all wish her bon voyage."