Franklin Pierce University will posthumously award an honorary degree to former Board of Trustees Chair Frederick W. Pierce IV and the Honorable Walter R. Peterson Citizen Leader Award to James McKim as part of the university’s graduation ceremony Saturday, May 10.

“It is with great pride that we recognize the accomplishments of our honorary degree and Peterson Award recipients and welcome them as an important part of this year’s commencement celebrations,” stated university President Dr. Peter Eden. “Both honorees have provided lasting contributions to our university and to their respective fields.”

Pierce was a distinguished member of the university board for seven years and its chair from 2019 to 2023. He died in San Diego after a brief illness in June 2024. He spent his career in real estate investment, development, consulting, finance and acquisition.

Since 1995, he served as the president, CEO and principal shareholder of Pierce Education Properties,  an owner, operator and developer of student housing. Prior to founding PEP, he led significant divisions for KPMG/Goodkin Group and launched the real estate consulting service at Price Waterhouse.

Pierce’s tenure on the board included serving as chair through the COVID pandemic and as co-chair of the 2024 presidential search committee.

McKim is a consultant, facilitator, author, frequent conference presenter and guest on radio and television shows focusing on the topic of organizational performance. As managing partner at Organizational Ignition, he has helped organizations spark efficiency and growth by aligning people, process, and technology.

In 2021, McKim was named as one of New Hampshire’s Top 200 Business Leaders. He has served as a developer, trainer, facilitator, consultant, director, adjunct professor, CIO/CTO and president for organizations such as Digital Equipment Corp, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and F.I.R.S.T. He has also co-founded several companies ranging from a management consulting firm that specialized in facilitating strategic use of information through both non-human and human means to a provider of asset tracking products  and services.

McKim has served as chair of the Software Association of New Hampshire, chair of the NH Tech Alliance Technology Committee, member of the NH International Trade Advisory Board and an adviser to governors and legislators.

He is also chair of the Episcopal Church’s National Executive Council Committee on Anti-Racism. He serves in leadership roles on several boards, including New Hampshire Public Broadcasting, Global Citizens Circle Board, and is past president of the Manchester Branch of the NAACP.