First Amendment Awards and Event
Nominations are now open for the 2026 First Amendment Award
The First Amendment Award is an annual honor presented by the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications to recognize New Hampshire individuals or organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to defending, protecting, or exercising the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The award reflects the school's mission to promote and defend the First Amendment and to foster interest, integrity, and excellence in journalism and communications through education and public engagement.
Individuals and organizations may submit nominations describing how they or a nominee of their choosing has defended or exercised First Amendment rights in a meaningful way.
Click here to fill out the nomination form. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday July 29 2026.
The award is open to New Hampshire residents, organizations, businesses, educators, journalists, public officials, advocates, and others whose actions have advanced or defended free speech, free press, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, or the right to petition government.
The recipient is chosen by an independent panel of judges from nominations submitted by the public. This year’s judges are: Melanie Plenda, executive director of the Granite State News Collaborative and 2025 winner of Quill & Ink award; retired NH Supreme Court Justice Richard Galway; Attorney Gregory Sullivan, a Loeb School Board of Trustees member and president of the New England First Amendment Coalition; and NH Public Radio Senior Reporter Annmarie Timmins.
The award is presented during our annual First Amendment Award Event, typically held in the fall.
First Amendment Award: Sean Young, owner of Leavitt’s Bakery in Conway, was nominated for his pursuit of First Amendment rights in a successful lawsuit filed over a student-painted mural on the bakery. Watch Sean’s story
Quill & Ink Award: Melanie Plenda, director of the Granite State News Collaborative, was honored for her significant contributions to the education of Granite Staters about the First Amendment. Watch Melanie’s story
Our Keynote Speaker was Jake Sullivan, who served as U.S. National Security Advisor under President Joe Biden, himself a past Loeb School speaker. He was director of policy under President Barack Obama before serving then-Vice President Biden in a national security role. Watch Jake’s keynote address
First Amendment Award Honorees
The First Amendment Award honors New Hampshire individuals or groups who stand out in their defense of or in their use of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
2025 Sean Young
2024 The Rochester Voice
2024 Arlene Quaratiello
2023 Laurie Ortolano
2022 Gilles Bissonnette
2021 Tara Gunnigle and Jon Pearson
2020 Marianne Salcetti, PhD
2019 Dr. William ‘Ed’ Kois
2018 Robert Azzi
2017 Right to Know NH and David Saad
2016 Donna Green and David Pearl
2015 John Connors
2014 James Foley
2013 The Nashua Telegraph
2012 David Lang and Professional Fire Fighters of NH
2011 The Portsmouth Herald and Howard Altschiller
2010 Gail Pierson Cromwell
2009 William Chapman, Esq.
2008 Mary Lukas DeWinkeleer
2007 David Scott
2006 Laconia Citizen and John Howe
2005 Daniel Hughes
2004 Thomas Kearney
2003 Philip McLaughlin, Esq.
Quill and Ink Recipients
The Quill and Ink Award honors New Hampshire individuals or groups for significant contributions to the education of Granite Staters about the First Amendment. The honoree is selected by the members of the School’s board of trustees and members of the judges’ panel.
2025 Melanie Plenda
2024 The Clock at Plymouth State University
2022 New Hampshire Public Radio
2019 David Tirrell-Wysocki
2017 Gregory V. Sullivan, Esq.
2016 Claire Ebel and ACLU NH
2015 Judge James Carroll
2012 Debi Clark Valentine
2009 Robert Foster
2008 Mike Pride