Franklin Pierce University Presents Medallions at Annual Fitzwater Center Honors
May 1, 2026
Franklin Pierce University held its annual Fitzwater Center Honors ceremony on Tuesday, April 28 bestowing Fitzwater Medallions upon select honorees the event on the Rindge Campus.
The honorees were:
- Megan Lachance ’26 - For Contributions to the Public Discourse, by a Graduating Student
- Mary Susan Leahy - New Hampshire Attorney, Board Chair & Founder, The New Hampshire Institute for Civics Education, now known as NH Civics - For Public Service
- The Honorable David H. Souter - Supreme Court of the United States (posthumously accepted by Thomas D. Rath) - For Public Service
- Elizabeth Squire ’12 - Health Communications Advisor, Former United States Department of Health and Human Services, Former United States Agency for International Development - For Leadership in Public Communication, by an alumnus
- Jonathan Martin, Politics Bureau Chief and Senior Political Columnist at POLITICO - For Leadership in Public Communication
The Ceremony was followed by Jonathan Martin's Medallion Lecture entitled 'American Politics in an Age of Disruption'.
Named for the national press secretary for two U.S. Presidents, the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication at Franklin Pierce University was founded in 2002. The Fitzwater Center’s facilities enable Franklin Pierce students to write, film, edit, and produce programming for student-run television, radio, print, and digital media outlets. In addition to supporting the hallmark goal of Franklin Pierce University—to prepare its students to function well as citizens and leaders of a democratic society—the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication is dedicated to educating leaders of conscience in public communication, from the town hall to the nation’s Capital.
Photos from the 2026 Fitzwater Honors Ceremony and Lecture and a recording are available below.
