MANCHESTER, N.H. — Former U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) will deliver the keynote address at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester’s commencement ceremony Thursday, May 18, 2017.

Ayotte served as a senator from New Hampshire from 2011 to 2017, where her committee assignments included homeland security and governmental affairs; armed services; small business and entrepreneurship; budget; and commerce, science, and transportation.

Ayotte received numerous awards for her legislative action. In 2016, the American Kennel Club awarded Ayotte the AKC Legislator of the Year Award for her sponsorship of the Pet and Women Safety Act, established to help victims of domestic violence find safe accommodations for themselves and their pets. Ayotte has also been honored for her work on behalf of veterans by Veterans of Foreign Wars New Hampshire, and for her commitment to education by Save the Children.

Before her election to the U.S. Senate, Ayotte became New Hampshire’s first female attorney general in 2004. She centered her five years as Attorney General on seeking justice for victims of violence, as well as conservation efforts to protect the state’s public lands and waters.

Ayotte earned a B.A. from Pennsylvania State University and a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law.