Concord, N.H. —The Community College System of New Hampshire will honor the Stebbins family with the 2026 Walter R. Peterson Award for Education and Public Service, recognizing decades of leadership in business, philanthropy, and community service across the Granite State.
The award will be presented April 22 during Great Bay Community College’s 80th anniversary celebration on the college’s campus.
The Walter R. Peterson Award recognizes individuals and families whose contributions reflect a deep commitment to public service and higher education. CCSNH Chancellor Mark Rubinstein said the Stebbins family exemplifies those values through long-standing support for communities and educational institutions throughout New Hampshire.
“CCSNH is recognizing the Stebbins family for decades of extraordinary service to the Granite State,” Rubinstein said. “Their commitment to community, philanthropy and higher education has left an enduring mark on our colleges and countless lives across the state.”
For generations, the Stebbins family has paired philanthropic giving with hands-on involvement in nonprofit organizations focused on health and human services, youth and family programs, civic engagement, and community development. A central focus of the family’s giving has been expanding opportunity and upward mobility through education, including sustained support for higher education initiatives that increase access for students and strengthen learning environments.
John Stebbins, fourth-generation CEO of PROCON, said the family is honored to receive the award.
“This recognition reflects not only our shared commitment to service, but also the values instilled in us over generations,” Stebbins said. “We believe strong communities are built through partnership, education and caring for one another.”
The award is presented by The Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges and is named for former Gov. Walter R. Peterson, who served as governor from 1969 to 1973 and remained a strong advocate for higher education throughout his life, including as a trustee of CCSNH. Past recipients include former Govs. John Lynch and Jeanne Shaheen, Barbara Couch of Hypertherm, Alex Ray of The Common Man, Paul Holloway of Holloway Motors, technology entrepreneur Jeremy Hitchcock, and Tom Raffio of Northeast Delta Dental.
Business, civic, and political leaders from across the state are expected to attend the April 22 ceremony, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at Great Bay Community College.
The Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges supports student scholarships, program development, and facility enhancements across the state’s seven community colleges, while also partnering with public and private organizations to prepare students for in-demand jobs and address workforce needs statewide.
