Meet the 2017 Winant Fellows

Gov. John G. Winant Fellowship benefits UNH undergraduates

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Statue of former New Hampshire governor John Winant

A new statue of Gov. John Winant honors the three-term governor. At UNH, students benefit from a fellowship in his name.

A new statue of Gov. John Winant across from the State House has been hailed as a long overdue honor for the humble, three-term New Hampshire governor and World War II ambassador to Great Britain. Addressing nearly 200 state lawmakers and spectators at the unveiling ceremony last week, Gov. Chris Sununu called Winant the “most famous Granite Stater that nobody knows.”

But each summer since 1982, high-achieving UNH students have found inspiration in Winant’s legacy and carried on his mission of public service across New Hampshire.

The Gov. John G. Winant Fellowship was created by his family to encourage the professional development of UNH undergraduates with a strong commitment to public service. Three or four students receive the $3,500 stipend each year, which funds their internships with New Hampshire nonprofit organizations or government agencies. Recipients work at least 300 hours over the summer for their host organizations.

The 2017 Winant Fellows

Miriam Arsenault '18 is working with Northern Human Services Speech and Language Pathologists staff in her hometown of Berlin, New Hampshire. As a communications sciences and disorders major, Arsenault hopes to give back to her hometown by working alongside therapists to provide speech therapy for children.

Sheila Julian '18, of Concord, New Hampshire, is working with the New Hampshire Department of Veteran Affairs in Manchester. As a combat, AIRBORNE, Army veteran, Julian will strive to bridge the gap between veterans and their benefits. She hopes the internship will increase her understanding of a social worker’s role to assist those who serve in the armed forces.

Sameer Panesar '18, of North Hampton, New Hampshire, is working with the New Hampshire Oral Health Coalition in Concord. During his summer internship, Panesar hopes to design, lead and carry out an independent oral healthcare delivery improvement project. As a political science major, Panesar aspires to become a clinical leader in the state and beyond.

Madelyn Webb '18 is working with WISE in Lebanon, New Hampshire. WISE provides resources to prevent domestic violence and support survivors. As a sociology major at UNH, the Lyme, New Hampshire, native hopes to give back to the Upper Valley by organizing focus groups to collect data about women and the best way to help them.