“Her whole life has been about students.”
NASHUA, NH – Nashua Community College (NCC) celebrated the dedication of the Lucille Jordan Commons Building on campus. College Faculty and staff, members of the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH), were joined by local and state officials and community leaders for the event.
President Jordan led NCC for 27 years until serving as President until her death in December 2024. She expanded the campus and the curriculum, introducing multiple academic and training programs to meet the demands of students and the local workforce.
Several renovations and expansions occurred during her tenure, including the Walter R. Peterson Library, the Precision Manufacturing addition, the Automotive Building expansion that doubled the space, the construction of the Gymnasium and Fitness Center, Judd Gregg Hall, and the BAE Systems, Inc. STEM Center.
Jim Jordan, husband of the late NCC President, and his son Sean Jordan stood together at the podium giving heartfelt remarks about her and her legacy. Describing her character, Jim recalled her saying, “Lucille do not settle. She would not settle. And I think that captures Lucille. Everything she did, she wanted it to be the best it could be. And about students. Her whole life has been about students. Empowering students. Helping students.”
Former Nashua Mayor Donnalee Louzeau was the emcee for the event and also spoke of her long relationship with Jordan. With respect and admiration, she described Jordan as the person in Nashua who made things happen
“We needed something. She made it happen. Now, when the airport needed something, she made it happen. When the BAE’s name was on the building, she made something happen; they knew you would come here. And what you need that’s good for our students and good for our community, this is where it can happen. I’m grateful for the dedication and the love that she brought to this campus,” said Lozeau.
Governor Kelly Ayotte offered remarks on the legacy of Jordan, describing their long-term working relationship.
“I met Lucille 20 years ago when I was actually the legal counsel to Governor Craig Benson. And she walked into the governor’s office. And if you want to talk about it, in fact, I remember as a young woman thinking, wow, this woman, she is a force to be reckoned with,” Ayotte said.
“She is someone who, I can tell you right then, convinced Governor Benson of the value of the community colleges. And every single governor since has known who Lucille was and what was happening at this college, and the innovation that happened to her because of her,” Ayotte said.
Lucy Jenkins, who was Jordan’s assistant for 15 1/2 years, recalled her with fondness and dedication to NCC students.
“She was student-focused. She was all for the student, and her saying was, if you presented something for a program or you wanted to bring something into the college, she would say, is it going to benefit? Is it going to be good for the student? Will it benefit the college? If you could answer yes to those two, then she would support you. You had an ally,” said Jenkins
As great as President Jordan’s legacy was in transforming the college, her connection with her students, staff, and the community was greater.
“I just miss her. I miss her personality, her smile, her conversations. I mean, she was such an intellectual person, so far ahead. Look where she brought this college in 25, 27 years,” said Jenkins. As part of her legacy, the Lucille Jordan Fund for NCC Students was established with The Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges for her 25th anniversary as NCC President to support students-in-need during their college journey.
To donate to the Lucille Jordan Fund for NCC Students, visit GiveNHCC.org/where-to-give/ncc.