An Evening of Distinction
The event marked the 80th anniversary of the Pettee Medal, named after Dean Charles Holmes Pettee, who served UNH for more than six decades as a professor and dean (Bill Nelson, a fifth-generation descendent of Pettee, was in the audience). It also marked the 20th anniversary of the Hubbard Award. Lynn Wiatrowski ’81, chair of the Hubbard Award Committee, served on the UNH Foundation Board of Directors with John Hubbard, who, along with other university leaders, conceived of the award to recognize philanthropy and service to UNH.
“I had the privilege to witness John’s exceptional wisdom, humility and steadfast commitment to honoring individuals who have had an enduring impact on UNH,” Wiatrowski said of Hubbard, who passed away in December.
President Dean noted that each of the award recipients shared a common love of their alma mater, while working to serve others in unique ways.
“What distinguishes them is a commitment to giving back, to sharing their insights and leadership with current and future Wildcats, to directing their talent and expertise to building a better world and in doing so, they inspire us.”
Bliss received the Award for Excellence for Outstanding Achievement, which recognizes an alum for outstanding accomplishments in their professional life or public service.
Durham Fire Chief Dave Emanuel ’97 ’14G described Bliss as a wise mentor and brother in service with a genuine love of people.
“It’s impossible to imagine all the incidents he’s responded to over his career, and more importantly, those people whose pain and suffering has been eased,” noted Emanuel. “We honor him for his devotion to making this world a healthier and safer place for all of us.”
For Bliss, the award was a bit about coming full circle in his UNH journey.
“When I applied here some 54 years ago, I never imagined this would be the place that would lay the foundation for my career, would be the place that would establish so many lifelong friendships, and that it would trigger a lifelong obsession with learning,” Bliss told the crowd at the Evening of Distinction.
After completing his bachelor’s degree, he returned to earn a master’s in public administration in 1979. His career included several senior leadership positions such as vice president of field operations for the National Fire Protection Association, president and COO of the National Infrastructure Institute, and state fire marshal and director of fire safety for the state of New Hampshire. He has served as UConn’s director of fire services, fire chief in Salem, and for the Durham-UNH Fire Department. He was also the homeland security advisor to the governor.
Emanuel noted that Bliss is known internationally for his expertise in fire safety, management and infrastructure building. In 2021, he was among 21 others nationally voted into the Hall of Legends of the National Fire Heritage Center, an organization aimed at historic preservation of firefighting and fire prevention as a career and way of life.
LORI ROBINSON ’81 “grew up in a man’s world, but she also grew up as a leader in a leader’s world,” says retired U.S. Air Force Gen. John Jumper, of this year’s recipient of the Charles Holmes Pettee Medal, retired Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson ’81. “Every job Lori’s ever had; she’s been the best.”
Robinson, the first female officer of the United States Armed Forces to lead a combatant command, received the Charles Holmes Pettee Medal, awarded in recognition of outstanding accomplishment or distinguished service in any form to the state, the nation, or the world.
Robinson grew up in northern New Hampshire with her four siblings and parents, including her father, retired Air Force Col. George Howard ’57, who was in attendance.
In 2016, Robinson took over as commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command after entering the Air Force more than 30 years earlier through the ROTC program at UNH. She had been serving as commander of the Pacific Air Forces in Hawaii. Robinson also was the air component commander for U.S. Pacific Command and executive director of Pacific air combat operations staff at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
She has commanded an operations group, a training wing, an air control wing and deployed as vice commander of the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing, leading more than 2,000 airmen in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. She has served as an Air Force Fellow at the Brookings Institution and at the Pentagon as director of the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Executive Action Group.
Robinson has received the Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Aerial Achievement Medal, among others.
Faculty member Brent Bell ’87, ’05Phd introduced Robinson, and lauded her kindness, exemplified when she visited with UNH cadets while on campus as the 2017 Commencement speaker, and when she visited an elementary school in Bartlett with her father, and then proceeded to march in the town’s Veterans Day parade.
As a native of the remote and rural area, Bell said, “I know that sometimes the world does sometimes seem a little far away and the people who influence and decide and opine about the direction of the world can seem inaccessible… your example helps us all know we are seen, especially the girls and young women who can look to you and see their own futures.”
Jude Blake ’77, a consummate leader, volunteer, and mentor, received the Hubbard Family Award for Service to Philanthropy for her generous support of the university, and for inspiring others to join her in supporting UNH.
“When you look at what matters most to Jude, whether it’s UNH or local organizations, she is committed to making her community better, and she does that by devoting a significant amount of time to those organizations,” says Tina Sawtelle ’96 ’01G.
Blake has served or is serving on numerous UNH and the University System of New Hampshire boards, and is currently the campaign co-chair on the UNH Foundation Board of Directors. Her financial support has created scholarships, enhanced programming and supported faculty and staff in Paul College, at the Shoals Marine Lab, and for Northeast Passage.
Her biggest pride point may be the students she mentors. Says Sawtelle: “Jude gravitates toward those that want to be connectors, want to be exceptional in what they do, and takes them under her wing… once you become one of Jude’s kiddos, you’ve got her in your network probably for the rest of your life.”
Mike Pilot ’84, who has served on UNH boards with Jude, agrees.
“That’s the above and beyond that is Jude Blake. She’s a force of nature when it comes to spreading her time, talent and treasure,” says Pilot. “In my opinion, that’s everything that the Hubbard Award was designed to acknowledge.”
At the ceremony, Blake shared the story of how she first became involved in philanthropy at her alma mater, and her own nostalgia for her undergrad years here.
“UNH enabled me to put down roots, and to be accepted for who I was, and who I was going to be,” Blake said. She soon joined the Foundation board, the first of many such volunteer roles where her impact and influence are strongly felt.
She encouraged others to “never doubt the impact you can have on an organization if you’re passionate about its mission and goals … For me at UNH it’s all about the students; to ensure that they have a great experience at this place that I love so much that they go out in this world, make a difference and understand the value of giving back.”
Marking the Hubbard Award’s 20th anniversary, President Dean also announced a $2 million planned gift from Blake, bringing her total philanthropic commitment to the university to more than $10 million.