UNH Alumni Association Honors Nine For Outstanding Contributions To The University

By Meg Torbert, UNH Alumni Association

The University of New Hampshire Alumni Association honored nine alumni for their outstanding contributions to the university at the annual awards luncheon earlier this summer.

The Profile of Service Award is presented for outstanding performance on behalf of the Alumni Association or the university. This year there were three recipients of this award:

Col. Pierre D. Boy, Ret., of Durham, N.H., is known for his devotion and loyalty to UNH. Boy, a 1939 graduate of UNH with a bachelor’s degree in forestry, has served on countless committees, been involved in many fundraising efforts and has served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. After 30 years in the Army, Boy served as professor of military science at UNH and then director of Alumni Affairs for four years. In 1973, he received the Alumni Meritorious Service Award. From 1983-86, he was a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. He has been inducted into the halls of fame for both the UNH 100 Club and UNH ROTC.

Former co-captain of UNH’s 1960 football team, Louis C. D’Allesandro of Manchester, N.H., has served on the board of directors for the UNH Alumni Association and was president of the board of directors of the UNH 100 Club from 1996-1997. The Marine Corp veteran, a 1961 graduate of UNH with a bachelor’s degree in history, has devoted over 30 years to public service. In addition to his three terms in the state senate, D’Allesandro is a five-term Manchester School Board Committeeman; a three-term executive councilor; a former candidate for governor; and a two-term state representative.

Polly Ashton Daniels of Madbury, N.H., is a past member of the board of directors for the Alumni Association and is renowned for her enthusiasm and commitment to the university. After graduating from UNH in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in theatre, Daniels toured New England as an actress and then worked in emergency services in Maine, creating and supervising the 24-hour dispatch center for York, Maine. She also worked for the state of New Hampshire as a volunteer parole officer. Daniels joined the UNH admissions office in 1979, and earned an associate’s degree in criminology from UNH in 1981. In 1984, she moved to the UNH Alumni Association as the assistant director of alumni activities and was later promoted to director of alumni activities. As such, she directed hundreds of successful alumni events and programs, including class reunions. Daniels retired in 2004 after 26 years of service to the university.

Established in 1934, the Alumni Meritorious Service Award is presented for devotion and loyalty in maintaining alumni or other UNH organizations, participating in alumni or university affairs, or helping to expand the influence and prestige of the university. There were five recipients of this year’s award:

Harriet Forkey of Durham, N.H., who received her bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1954 and a master’s degree in psychology from UNH in 1967, went on to a distinguished career as a teacher and consultant in the field of physical education. Forkey has often stepped forward in her capacity as a UNH alum to play a leadership role over the years. Most recently, she led the way in taking on the task of planning and organizing a memorable 50th reunion for her Class of 1954.

Joseph Murdoch of Durham, N.H., has brought his expertise and insight to bear during his dedicated service as a University System of New Hampshire trustee. Murdoch received a master’s degree in electrical engineering from UNH in 1955. Now a UNH professor emeritus of electrical and computer engineering, he has been deeply involved in university issues through the years, including the direction of the UNH Lighting Education and Outreach Program and chairman of the electrical engineering department.

Chandler Sanborn of Highland Park, Ill., has volunteered with diligence and devotion throughout the years, organizing class reunions and spending countless hours compiling photos for the UNH Sports Gallery in the UNH Field House. A graduate with the Class of 1955, he remains an active leader for his class and one of the university’s most devoted supporters.

Martha Foley Jackson of Stratham, N.H., who graduated from UNH in 1976 with a degree in French and a master’s degree in secondary education in 1996, is a former director of UNH’s admissions office. She has also served in a number of volunteer capacities, both as a member of numerous Alumni Association committees and as a member of the President’s Council.

Elibet Moore Chase of Concord, N.H., has participated as a UNH alumni volunteer in numerous capacities, bringing unflagging enthusiasm and devotion to bear on every activity she undertakes. A 1981 graduate of UNH with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a master’s degree in English in 2001, she served as president of the Alumni Association board of directors and has sat on a number of Alumni Association board committees.

The Young Alumnus/Alumna Achievement Award recognizes a young graduate who has provided service to UNH and has demonstrated leadership and promise. This year’s recipient is Amanda Wood of Washington, D.C. Wood, a former UNH track athlete and a 1997 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science, has demonstrated service, leadership and involvement in her contributions to the Washington, D.C., chapter of the UNH Alumni Association, organizing a host of events that bring alumni together.