Current News Releases
2009
June 1
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Chancellor Motley Picks Winston Langley to Fill Permanent Post
(Boston, June 1, 2009) – Chancellor J. Keith Motley today announced the appointment of Winston E. Langley as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Professor Langley, who has served as interimprovost since July 2008, will assume his official duties on July 1, 2009. The appointment comes following an extensive search over the past year.
May 29
- U.S. Sen. Kerry Delivers 2009 Commencement Address
(Boston, May 29, 2009) – U.S. Senator John Kerry today delivered the principal address to 3,065 graduates at the University of Massachusetts Boston’s 41st commencement ceremonies. Kerry, a decorated war veteran who has represented Massachusetts for 25 years in the U.S. Senate, was joined by UMass Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley and honorary degree recipients Joseph Kennedy, former U.S. Representative and founder of Citizens Energy; Sister Margaret Leonard, founder of Project Hope; and Edwin Moses, former Olympian, champion of drug-free athletics, and motivational speaker.
May 29
- Citizens Energy Founder, Former U.S. Representative Joseph Kennedy Receives Honorary Degree
(Boston, May 29, 2009) – The University of Massachusetts Boston today honored Citizens Energy founder, former U.S. Representative, and UMass Boston alumnus Joseph Kennedy II with the degree doctor of laws, honoris causa for his leadership and service to the community. The degree was presented at the university’s 41st commencement ceremonies.
May 29
- Project Hope Executive Director Margaret Leonard Receives Honorary Degree
(Boston, May 29, 2009) – The University of Massachusetts Boston today honored Sister Margaret Leonard with the degree of doctor of humane letters, honoris causa, at its 41st commencement ceremonies for her considerable neighborhood development work as the long-time director of Dorchester-based Project Hope.
May 29
- Olympian, Champion of Drug-Free Athletics Edwin Moses Receives Honorary Degree
(Boston, May 29, 2009) – The University of Massachusetts Boston today honored Edwin Moses with the degree of doctor of science, honoris causa at its 41st commencement ceremonies. Moses is honored for his outstanding contributions as an Olympian, champion of drug-free athletics, motivational speaker, and chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, an organization that promotes sporting activities for youth worldwide for the purpose of social change.
May 27
- Meet the 2009 JFK Award Winner
(Boston, May 27, 2009) – Interview with U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dominique Powell, recipient of UMass Boston’s John F. Kennedy Award for Academic Excellence, given to a graduating senior who demonstrates an excellent academic record, has a commitment to service, and acts as a good citizen of the university and world. Videography by Olesia Plokhii.
May 14
- UMass Boston to Host Summer Baseball Clinic
(Boston, May 14, 2009) – The University of Massachusetts Boston Athletics Department will host a summer baseball clinic from June 29 – July 2 for boys and girls ages 8 to 12. The clinic, which will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is aimed at helping young athletes improve their fundamental baseball skills.
May 4
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Subsidized Housing at Risk of Loss, New UMass Boston Study Says
(Boston – May 4, 2009) – Over the next decade, close to 17,000 units in 130 federally and state-financed developments in Massachusetts could be lost as affordable housing as they reach the end of their 40-year subsidized mortgage terms, according to a new report released by the Center for Social Policy (CSP) in the McCormack Graduate School at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
April 23
- Chancellor Motley Receives Honorary Degree from Northeastern University
(Boston – April 30, 2009) – University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley was presented with a degree of doctor of humane letters, honoris causa, at the 2009 Northeastern University commencement ceremony on May 1. The award recognizes his service to the field of higher education over the past 25 years.
April 20
- UMass Boston to Unite Youth Violence Prevention Leaders at Roundtable
(Boston, April 20, 2009) – In an effort to bring leaders and organizations together to work more collaboratively to prevent youth violence, the University of Massachusetts Boston will host “Breaking the Cycle and Stepping Back from Violence: A Roundtable to Develop Strategies for Youth Violence Prevention” on April 29.
April 13
- UMass Boston’s Urban Scholars Celebrates 25th Anniversary
(Boston – April 13, 2009) -The University of Massachusetts Boston on May 2 will host “25 Years, 1,500 Lives, Talent for Tomorrow,” an evening benefit to highlight the successes of Urban Scholars program and honor its co-founder, Charles Desmond.
April 8
- UMass Boston’s Gastón Institute Releases Report on English Language Learners in Boston’s Public Schools
(Boston, April 8, 2009) —Today the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Public Policy and Community Development at the University of Massachusetts Boston, in collaboration with the Center for Collaborative Education, released “English Learners in Boston Public Schools in the Aftermath of Policy Change: Enrollment and Educational Outcomes, AY2003-AY2006.”The report analyzes the changes in enrollment and educational outcomes for English learners in Boston after 2003, when the Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) was replaced with Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) in response to the approval of Referendum Question 2.
- Arthur Eisenkraft Recognized for Notable and Creative Contributions in Physics Education
(Boston, April 8, 2009) The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) recognized Arthur Eisenkraft as the 2009 recipient of the Robert A. Millikan Medal. Eisenkraft is Distinguished Professor of Science Education and Director of the Center of Science and Math in Context (COSMIC), University of Massachusetts Boston. This award recognizes educators who have made notable and creative contributions to the teaching of physics. It will be presented during the AAPT Summer Meeting at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI.
April 2
- U.S. Sen. Kerry to Deliver 2009 Commencement Address
(Boston, April 2, 2009) -- Chancellor J. Keith Motley today announced that U.S. Senator John Kerry will deliver the principal address at the University of Massachusetts Boston’s 41st commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 29, 2009. Kerry, a decorated war veteran who has represented Massachusetts for 25 years in the U.S. Senate, will be joined by honorary degree recipients Joseph Kennedy, former U.S. Representative and founder of Citizens Energy; Sister Margaret Leonard, founder of Project Hope; and Edwin Moses, former Olympian, champion of drug-free athletics, and motivational speaker.
March 31
- UMass Boston Study Finds Pervasive Use of the ‘R-word’
As part of the campaign to end the use of the R-word, the Special Olympics Global Collaborating Center at the University of Massachusetts Boston, in conjunction with Harris Interactive, conducted a first of its kind survey of over 1000 youth nationwide to learn more about youth experiences with the R-word and found the use of the word is pervasive among youth.
- World's Leading Haitian-American Author Participates In Public Teleconference Event at UMass Boston
Edwidge Danticat, born in Haiti and widely regarded to be the leading Haitian-American author today, will make a rare appearance on Wednesday, April 22, at UMass Boston. The 1:30 p.m. event will be a live, big-screen teleconferenced interview with the Haitian-American author, and the public is invited.
March 26
- Haitian Women’s Advocate Honored at Quinn Community Breakfast
At its annual Robert H. Quinn Breakfast today, University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley presented the Robert H. Quinn Award to Carline Desire, executive director of the Association of Haitian Women in Boston, and presented the Chancellor’s Award for Longstanding Community Commitment and Service Award to George A. Russell, Jr., executive vice president and director of Community Affairs for State Street Corporation.
March 10
- UMass Boston Vice Chancellor Honored for Fundraising Leadership
Darrell C. Byers, vice chancellor for University Advancement at the University of Massachusetts Boston, was selected by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, District I, to receive the Eleanor Collier achievement and recognition award for "contributions to his organization and profession that reflect honor on CASE, education and the field of higher education administration.” The award will be presented at the March CASE District 1 Conference at the John F. Kennedy Library.
February 24
- “Si...,Pero,...No”: Culture, Cognition and Colonialism in the Production of HIV/AIDS Disparities Among Puerto Ricans The Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Public Policy and Community Development presents María Idalí Torres, PhD, the new director of the Gastón Institute, as its first speaker for the 2009 Speaker Series. Her presentation Si...,Pero,...No": Culture, Cognition and Colonialism in the Production of HIV/AIDS Disparities Among Puerto Ricans Her presentation will highlight (1) the relationship of culture, cognition and colonialism as it has emerged from the analysis of longitudinal in-depth interviews about HIV/AIDS and other sexual health topics with adult Puerto Rican women, and (2) the salient implications of these findings for public policies aimed at the implementation and evaluation of bilingual comprehensive sexuality education in school and community settings that are producing disparities.
Tuesday January 6
- UMass Boston Offers Training for Area Small and Minority Business Leaders
The University of Massachusetts Boston, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Network’s Boston Regional Office & Minority Business Center, will present a special “train the trainer” workshop for leaders of Boston Main Streets organizations, metropolitan boards of trade, and chambers of commerce on January 21, 2009.
2008
Tuesday December 22
- Verizon Provides $40,000 Grant to Support UMass Boston Urban Scholars Program
Verizon of New England President Donna Cupelo and University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley today announced a $40,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to help support the Urban Scholars program, which this year is celebrating its 25th anniversary of helping middle and high school students to achieve at the college level.
Thursday December 4
- Liberal International Award for Padraig O’Malley
Padraig O’Malley, the John Joseph Moakley Professor of Peace and Reconciliation at the University of Massachusetts Boston, today received the twenty-third Liberal International Freedom award in Brussels at the European Parliament. The award recognizes O’Malley’s outstanding contribution in support of peace and democracy throughout the world. Past recipients of this award include Chen Shui-bian, Aung San Suu Kyi, Mary Robinson, Vaclav Havel, Benazir Bhutto, Corazon Aquino, and Asma Jahangir.
Monday December 1
- UMass Boston to Inaugurate ‘Education for Service Awards’ to Honor Boston State Alumni
The University of Massachusetts Boston will inaugurate its “Education for Service” awards at the second annual Boston State College Celebration on December 4. The awards will be presented to Boston State alumni Dr. Richard Newman, ’36; Melvin H. King, ’52; and Dr. Mary Grassa O’Neill, ’68. This annual award was created by Boston State College Steering Committee established to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the merger between Boston State College and the University of Massachusetts Boston in 1982.
Wednesday November 26
- College of Management Signs Principles For Responsible Management Education (PRIME)
The College of Management at the University of Massachusetts Boston has responded to the global call for business schools and academic associations to advance corporate social responsibility worldwide. The school has committed to adhere to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), which were unveiled by a group of scholars and leading academic organization at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in July of 2007.
Thursday November 19
- Ethnic media outlets honored at first New England Ethnic Newswire Award
The Center on Media and Society at the University of Massachusetts Boston honored nine top journalists working for ethnic-media outlets in New England at the first New England Ethnic Newswire Awards on Thursday, November 20.
Thursday November 13
- UMass Boston Conference: Rebuilding Sustainable Communities for Children and their Families After Disasters
From Sunday, November 16 through Wednesday, November 19, The University of Massachusetts Boston will be hosting the inaugural event of the Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters, a working conference in which international experts from the public, private, and NGO sectors will come together and share ideas, strategies, and experiences from their work in helping to rebuild communities that have suffered from natural and man-made disasters.
Monday November 10
- Italy and the Holocaust: The Calabria Connection
Efforts by ordinary citizens to help Jewish people in northern Europe evade Nazi persecution during World War II are relatively well known in the United States. But the phenomenon wasn’t limited to Germany, Poland and the Netherlands—similar heroism also took place in Italy, where Jews were captured and sent to death camps beginning in 1943.
Friday November 7
- UMass Boston to Announce the Reverend Michael E. Haynes Distinguished Professorship in Urban Studies
University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley will host a gala event on November 7, 2008 to announce the Reverend Michael E. Haynes Distinguished Professorship in Urban Studies. The event will include a broad spectrum of local and national community leaders, family, and friends as they pay tribute to the Boston civil rights leader and former pastor of the Twelfth Baptist Church, and will kick off an effort to raise $2.5 million to fund the professorship.
Thursday October 30
- GoKids Boston Seeks Runners, Sponsors For 2009 Boston Marathon Team
As part of the official charity program of the Boston Marathon, GoKids Boston at the University of Massachusetts Boston is seeking marathon runners both unqualified and qualified to participate in the 2009 Boston Marathon. GoKids Boston is also looking for businesses for financial support as part of the fundraising efforts to benefit the research and training facility located on the UMass Boston campus.
Monday September 15
- UMass Boston Hosts Global Learning Exchange Networks: Building Partnerships, Knowledge & Power to Advance Equitable Societies
On Tuesday, September 16th, social change leaders and activists from Boston and Haifa, Israel will gather at the University of Massachusetts - Boston for a forum titled Global Learning Exchange Networks: Building Partnerships, Knowledge & Power to Advance Equitable Societies. Co-sponsored by the Center for Social Policy at UMass – Boston and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, the forum will build upon the Boston-Haifa Learning Exchange; a peer learning exchange initiative to strengthen the nonprofit organizations and leaders in both cities.
Monday Sept 8
- Chancellor Motley Kicks Off New School Year With Convocation Address
Chancellor J. Keith Motley today marked the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year with a convocation address that called for increased attention to public higher education and outlined his vision for the future of the University of Massachusetts Boston. The chancellor’s address led a day of convocation activities at the campus, including remarks by UMass President Jack Wilson and Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville, a cookout and entertainment for students, and an evening community reception.
Monday August 25
- UMass Boston Receives Commonwealth Corps Grant
The University of Massachusetts Boston has received a $50,000 Commonwealth Corps grant for its Harbor Point Outreach Partnership (HPOP) to address community identified needs for tutoring, mentoring, access to higher education, and technology workshops for youth and adult residents of Harbor Point apartment community.
Friday August 15
- Mayor Menino, Chancellor Motley Announce Partnership to Support Boston Main Streets
Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Chancellor J. Keith Motley today announced a unique partnership between the University of Massachusetts Boston and Boston Main Streets to promote the Boston Community Change card among its more than 75,000 students, faculty and staff, and alumni.
Monday August 11
- UMass Boston Moves Forward on Campus Master Plan
Chancellor J. Keith Motley today announced that the University of Massachusetts Boston is moving forward on its 25-year master plan with $125 million in new funding and the selection of an architect to program and design an Integrated Sciences Complex, the first of two academic buildings planned for the campus in the coming years.
Monday July 14
- UMass Boston’s Camp Shriver Expands for More Kids this Summer
A five-year, $300,000 sponsorship from Procter & Gamble/Gillette has enabled the University of Massachusetts Boston to expand the length and enrollment of Camp Shriver, an inclusive summer camp that serves school children with and without intellectual disabilities on campus for four weeks this summer.
Tuesday July 1
- U.S. Surgeon General Recognizes UMass Boston’s GoKids in Fight Against Childhood Obesity
Acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson today presented UMass Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley with a Champion Award for GoKids Boston’s work in helping to prevent childhood obesity. Dr. Galson toured GoKids Boston and conducted a roundtable discussion with area health officials as part of his national “Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future” program.
Thursday June 11
- UMass Boston Centre Releases Report on the Economic State of New England
The UMass Boston Financial Services Forum (FSF) released today The State of New England: Economic Slowdown and Recovery. The report finds that while first quarter growth in Massachusetts was four times that of the national pace, and while Massachusetts has added jobs at a time when the US economy lost payroll employment, economic recovery in Massachusetts after the dotcom bust was not as robust compared to the national recovery. The unemployment rate in Massachusetts remained below the national rate even as they both inched up from record lows in the early 2000s, but joblessness became more acute regionally compared.