Watch the Recording

Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr. was inaugurated as New England College’s 16th president Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Watch the recording.

View the Inauguration Program

NEC Celebrates Inauguration of President Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr.

Dr. Lesperance becomes the College’s 16th president and first Hispanic president.

On Saturday, September 30, Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr. officially took the podium as New England College’s 16th president and first Hispanic president. He became interim president in September of 2022 and was named president in December of 2022. He was inaugurated Saturday in a ceremony that coincided with NEC’s Fall Festival weekend for alumni, parents, and friends of the College.

The inauguration ceremony was held in the Rosamond Page Putnam Center for the Performing Arts on NEC’s campus in Henniker. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members attended the milestone celebration. Guest speakers included Chairman of the Board of Trustees Lex Scourby ’75, Trustee Adam Kapner ’02, President of the Alumni Association Louis Pakula ’85, Dean of Humanities Andrew Morgan, Director of Academic Advising Elizabeth Brennan ’19, Campus Compact of New Hampshire Executive Director Deborah Scire EdD ’17, and Dr. Lesperance’s mother Manuela Bohling and aunt Carmen Kusiak.

“NEC has done well in navigating the challenges facing higher education,” Lesperance said in his inauguration address. “Going forward, we must continue to make good progress in our enrollment, retention and graduation rates; strengthen our commitment to students to prepare them for the workforce of tomorrow; and work every day to instill a sense of pride in our College. I commit to leading New England College with positivity, transparency, support and, most of all, service.”

Before being named Interim President last year, Dr. Lesperance served as professor and as part of the College’s administration. He joined NEC in 1999 and relished his role as Professor of Political Science for 17 years. He transitioned to administrative roles in 2016 when he became Dean of Residential Undergraduate Programs. He also served as Director of the Center for Civic Engagement, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost.

“The staff of New England College is excited to work hand in hand with Dr. Lesperance to achieve a future filled with progress, collaboration, and achievement,” stated Elizabeth Brennan, Director of Academic Advising. “Together, we can continue to make New England College a place of inspiration and growth for all.”

Lesperance acknowledged and thanked those who have played an important role in his life. “I’ve always believed in the adage that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and there are many shoulders in my case,” Lesperance told the audience. “From mi familia in Puerto Rico who taught me curiosity, respect and courage to my high school teachers who instilled in me a passion for America’s civic heritage, from college professors to my wife who is my rock and my daughter who is my joy. I thank them all for their support, encouragement and generosity.”

Those in attendance were then invited to a community celebration dinner, featuring Puerto Rican fare, on the lawn of the Simon Building, live music by the Jimmy Buffett tribute band Changes in Latitudes, and a fireworks finale.

In honor of his new role, Dr. Lesperance received a commendation from N.H. Gov. Chris Sununu; congratulations from N.H. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen; congratulations from Va. Gov. Glenn Youngkin; a proclamation from Virginia Beach, Va. Mayor Robert Dyer and messages of congratulations from peer institutions.

Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance Jr. Bio

Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr. was unanimously elected the 16th President of New England College by the Board of Trustees on December 12, 2022

Dr. Lesperance arrived at NEC in 1999 to serve as Assistant Professor of Political Science, a role he relished for 17 years. He transitioned to NEC’s administration in 2016 when he became Dean of Residential Undergraduate Programs. He has served as Director of the Center for Civic Engagement; Vice President of Academic Affairs; and most recently, Provost.

A political enthusiast, Dr. Lesperance moved to New Hampshire in 1999 to take advantage of the State’s special place in presidential politics. His love of the political process has helped him lead NEC’s civic engagement focus. He is a frequent commentator in regional and national media outlets, where he is often quoted on public policy, presidential elections, and U.S. foreign policy. Among his more recent publications, he was Associate Editor of the annually published two-volume Political Handbook of the World (2017–2020), a contributor to both Leadership and Legacy: The Presidency of Barack Obama (2021) and The New Islamic State (2016), and the author of “American Foreign Policy and the 2016 Election” in the Journal of Social Science and Modern Society (September/October 2016). Additionally, he has authored numerous articles and chapters in peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, and other publications.

He received his BS in Political Science and MA in International Studies from Old Dominion University and his doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern University.

Dr. Lesperance was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He resides in Cogswell House in Henniker with his wife, Stephanie; daughter, Grace; and their two dogs, Nero and Emmitt.

Dr. Lesperance’s Journey to President

“We talk in higher ed. about the transformative power of higher education. Those are really great words that are difficult to explain until you experience them. We always think of it as the student being transformed, but we are transformed.”

Make a Gift in Honor of President Lesperance

As we celebrate the momentous occasion of President Lesperance’s Inauguration, we invite you to make a gift of any size to New England College in his honor.

Virtual Guest Book

Leave a message of congratulations for President Lesperance.