Concord, NH - Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) has donated $10,000 and pledged an additional $10,000 to the Community Colleges of New Hampshire Foundation.  The gift will be directed toward scholarships for students studying engineering or technology and attending any of the Community College System of New Hampshire campuses.  The award enables the Foundation to receive a matching grant from NASA through the NH Space Grant Consortium. The gift was presented by Nury Marquez, PSNH Community Relations Manager, at the Foundation Board of Directors’ May meeting.

PSNH is the State’s largest electric utility, serving more than 490,000 homes and businesses throughout New Hampshire.  The NASA/PSNH scholarship award has been offered annually since the Foundation organized in the year 2000.  PSNH has been committed to the System and its programs, contributing $70,000 to-date to the Foundation.  Through the NASA/PSNH scholarship program, the Foundation has been able to provide 245 scholarships statewide over the past eight years. 

NASA/PSNH Scholarships awards are available to students annually in the fall and spring at any of the Colleges within the System:  White Mountains Community College in Berlin, Lakes Region Community College in Laconia, Manchester Community College, Nashua Community College, Great Bay Community College in Stratham, NHTI – Concord’s Community College, and River Valley Community College in Claremont.

Nury Marquez, Manager of Corporate Community Relations for PSNH had this to say about the gift: “At PSNH, we are proud to help enhance the State’s economic competitiveness as well as improve the quality of the technical workforce.”   Foundation Chairperson Claudette Mahar had this to add regarding PSNH’s commitment: “We are grateful for PSNH’s partnership with the Community Colleges. Their generosity goes a long way to ensure deserving students have access to quality education and careers.   The Community College graduates are constantly in demand in many of the state’s businesses and industries.”

The Community Colleges of New Hampshire Foundation was incorporated in February 2000 as a 501(c)(3) corporation. The Foundation is overseen by a Board of Directors. The Foundation’s mission is to support the Community College System of New Hampshire and make higher education more accessible.