Man given honorary degree

Friday, June 11, 2010

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MANCHESTER – Manchester native, Vietnam veteran and founder of The Medallion Fund Richard Lavalliere received an honorary degree from Manchester Community College at the college’s graduation ceremonies May 19.

In awarding the degree, MCC Interim President Ron Rioux said “Hundreds of NH students and their families have brighter futures because of the education financed in part by the Medallion Fund … We are pleased to award this honorary degree to Richard Lavalliere for his efforts on behalf of the students of New Hampshire.”

As the founder of Northeastern Sheet Metal Inc. in Goffstown, Lavalliere became concerned about an increasing lack of skilled workers in the state and the financial barriers that can prohibit New Hampshire residents from pursuing skilled occupations. In response, Lavalliere and his wife Lorraine founded The Medallion Fund to award scholarships “that focus exclusively on funding students of all ages who are continuing their education through apprenticeships, internships, certificate programs, short-term training programs or two-year degree programs.”

While in the Navy, Lavalliere trained in welding, ship fitting and submarine repair and earned two accommodations for outstanding performance. After leaving the service, he joined the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship program under the GI Bill, and later became an instructor in that program while it was housed at Manchester Community College (then New Hampshire Vocational Technical College). He founded Northeastern Sheet Metal in 1975, and is now CEO and chairs the board of directors.

In 2002 the Lavallieres officially launched The Medallion Fund and solicited support from area businesses and individuals; since then, the fund has distributed more than $500,000 to New Hampshire students to cover everything from tuition to tools to transportation. Recipients have pursued short-term training and two-year degrees in automotive technology, nursing, early childhood education and building trades, among others.

Over the course of his career, Lavalliere has been active in various industry and nonprofit organizations, including board member of the Franco American Centre, the Sheet Metal Apprentice Board, the Sheet Metal Workers Pension Board; former president of the Spiral Duct Manufacturers Association, a member of Easter Seals NH Legacy Society, a Distinguished Member of the Alexis de Toqueville Society and the American Contract Bridge League.