New England College Celebrates Founders Day 2026, Honoring 80 Years of Legacy and Service

January 20, 2026

Maj. Gen. David Mikolaities, NH Adjutant General, delivers the keynote address at New England College's Founders Day 2026 ceremony

Maj. Gen. David Mikolaities, Adjutant General of the New Hampshire National Guard, and Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), address the NEC community.

The New England College (NEC) community gathered on Wednesday, January 14, in the Rosamond Page Putnam Center for the Performing Arts to celebrate the College’s annual Founders Day, honoring the vision of NEC’s founders and marking the beginning of the College’s 80th anniversary year.

Founded in 1946 to provide access to higher education for servicemembers returning from World War II, New England College has spent eight decades advancing a mission rooted in opportunity, innovation, and experiential learning. Founders Day recognizes the founding faculty, staff, administration, and students whose dedication established the College and continues to inspire its work today.

“New England College was founded on the belief that the American dream is not a spectator sport. It must be preserved, protected, and passed on,” stated Maj. Gen. David Mikolaities, Adjutant General of the New Hampshire National Guard, who served as keynote speaker. “Created as a launch pad for veterans returning from World War II, NEC has spent 80 years empowering generations to turn sacrifice into opportunity. An education here is about more than a career; it is about preparing engaged citizens and leaders who understand that freedom and opportunity are ideals worth defending.”

Maj. Gen. David Mikolaities delivers the keynote address at New England College’s 2026 Founders Day celebration.

During the ceremony, U.S. Representative Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) addressed the NEC community via video, underscoring the College’s role in expanding access to education and strengthening communities across New Hampshire.

“New England College was founded on a simple but powerful idea—that education can open doors and change lives,” Goodlander said. “For 80 years, NEC has lived that mission, preparing generations of students to serve, lead, and make a difference in their communities.”

This year’s Founders Day ceremony also marked the kickoff of New England College’s 80th anniversary.

“As we begin a yearlong celebration of the people, purpose, and progress that have shaped NEC since 1946, we honor NEC’s unique founding principles, reaffirm our commitment to educating students who will lead with purpose and look ahead to the next chapter of our story,” added Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr., President of New England College.