Head of School Dr. Randy Bertin has announced that Dr. Mark Huddleston, President Emeritus of the University of New Hampshire, will be Cushing Academy's 144th Commencement speaker.

"Dr. Huddleston is an outstanding leader in higher education and beyond, and we are honored that he will share this special day in the life of the Academy with the Class of 2019, their family and friends, and the entire Cushing community,"

Dr. Bertin noted. A native of Syracuse, New York, Dr. Huddleston was the first in his family to attend college, earning his bachelor’s degree at the State University of New York at Buffalo and his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

The longest-serving president in the University of New Hampshire's 150-year history, Dr. Huddleston retired from UNH in 2018. Prior to leading UNH, he served as president of Ohio Wesleyan University and before that spent over two decades at the University of Delaware. A political scientist by training, Dr. Huddleston is the author of numerous books and has been a consultant for both the U.S. Government and international organizations. He also served as an advisor in Bosnia on rebuilding infrastructures after the end of the Bosnian War. 

Dr. Huddleston is an avid pilot and motorcycle enthusiast. He and his wife are the proud parents of three children.