Gov. John Lynch was honored last night for his support of higher education at the inaugural Walter R. Peterson Award banquet at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel. Many New Hampshire politicians were in attendance, including Democrat Maggie Hassan and Republican Ovide Lamontagne, the two candidates who hope to win his job in November. The awards were hosted by the Great Bay Community College as Lynch was recognized for supporting the community colleges' transition to self-governance, initiating the WorkReady N.H. program which helps job-seekers improve their skills and supporting the Running Start program, which allows high school students to earn college credit.