CCSNH to Honor the Stebbins Family with the Walter R. Peterson Award

The Community College System of New Hampshire will present the 2026 Walter R. Peterson Award for Education and Public Service to the Stebbins family. The family, known for its strong and long-standing leadership in business and philanthropy in New Hampshire, will be recognized April 22 during Great Bay Community College’s 80th anniversary celebration.  

The Walter R. Peterson Award for Education and Public Service recognizes individuals whose contributions best exemplify the values of public service and dedication to higher education. 

“CCSNH is recognizing the Stebbins family for decades of extraordinary service to the Granite State,” said Mark Rubinstein, CCSNH chancellor. “Their commitment to community, philanthropy and higher education has left an enduring mark on our colleges and countless lives across the state. This legacy is woven into New Hampshire’s history and continues to strengthen its future.” 

LRCC Welcomes NH Teams for the 2026 FIRST Robotics Kick-Off

Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) hosted 10 New Hampshire robotics teams for this year's FIRST Robotics kick-off event. The day marked the official start of the 2026 season, and students arrived ready to dive into the excitement of a brand‑new challenge.

The kick‑off is always a milestone moment for participants, and this year was no exception. Teams gathered to watch the global reveal of the season’s game. After this year’s challenge was unveiled, students picked up their official kits containing everything they need to begin designing, prototyping, and building their robots over the coming weeks.

Beyond the kick‑off festivities, LRCC offered visiting students a chance to explore the campus and get a firsthand look at the Industrial Automation and Robotics programs. Faculty and staff were on hand to answer questions and highlight the many pathways LRCC offers for students interested in technology‑driven careers, including Early College.

From First Chair to First Career: Welding a Future Through Early College

Lin-Wood Public School sits just a stone’s throw away from Loon Mountain Resort’s South Peak. For Ryder McAfee, that proximity shaped both his high school experience and his future career path. Most afternoons, Ryder would swap his book bag for his ski bag, heading straight to the mountain once the final bell rang.

While most skiers appreciate first tracks on bluebird days, Ryder has a passion for the mechanics and technical intricacies of ski lifts.

“In the future I want to be an engineer. Specifically, I want to build ski lifts,” said Ryder.

Ryder’s interest in how things work, especially ski lifts, helped him envision a future beyond simply riding them. During his junior year at Lin-Wood he enrolled in welding courses through White Mountains Community College as part of the Early College program offered through the Community College System of New Hampshire.

Through Early College, Ryder took classes both online and on campus that satisfied high school graduation requirements while simultaneously completing college prerequisites, earning him a certificate in Welding and an associate degree in Trades Management even before the ink dried on his high school diploma.