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The Dartmouth
March 28, 2024 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Wright honored at Boston gala

College President James Wright received a New Englander of the Year award last night for his efforts to help send wounded veterans to college.
College President James Wright received a New Englander of the Year award last night for his efforts to help send wounded veterans to college.

Along with Wright, Peter Meade, executive vice president for corporate affairs for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. also received "New Englander of the Year" awards at the dinner. The award is presented to individuals and organizations whose contributions to New England's community and economy are worthy of special recognition.

Wright's veteran education program provides the funds to hire college counselors at major veteran hospitals to assist wounded soldiers in planning their college futures. Since the program's inception, Wright has raised over $350,000, which has helped place 50 servicemen and women in colleges and universities this fall, including three marines with purple hearts who began their education at Dartmouth. In his address, Wright said that one of the most important things in life is to invest in these veterans coming home.

"We can do better for them than we do," he said. "They are remarkable members of a generation that will make a difference."

Wright said he got the idea for the program after visiting Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Military Army Medical Center two years ago. He went bed to bed, talking with wounded veterans about their future plans and long-term goals.

"Our country will be enriched by providing for them an opportunity for education," he said. "So we organized this program."

Wright contacted American Council on Education President David Ward to help with this endeavor. Ward agreed and the program began earlier this year with the placement of three full-time education counselors at Walter Reed, the National Naval Hospital, and Brook Army Medical Center.

A television clip that appeared on "ABC World News with Charles Gibson" in May introduced Wright as the show's "Man of the Week" for his development of the program. On the show, Gibson lauded Wright's efforts to follow the progression of the war in Iraq and his dedication to those currently serving and those returning from service.

"He has found a way to make a difference," Gibson said.

A native of Wisconsin, Wright began his speech joking that some people might not think he was an appropriate recipient for the award.

"I emailed my brother back in the Midwest," he said. " I said I hope they don't learn I'm not a real New Englander when they give me this award."

Wright, a resident of New Hampshire for the past 38 years, displayed his loyalty to New England by his numerous mentions of the Boston Red Sox throughout his speech, which appropriately concluded with, "Go Red Sox."