UMass Boston First Celebrates Early Victory
Chancellor
Penney Reflects on Twelve Years At UMass Boston
UMass
Boston First Celebrates Early Victory
Years
of Service Reception Honors 152 Employees
Sherry
H.Penney Endowed Professorship in Leadership
Situation
Critical:
UMass Boston Releases Vital Housing Study
Gordon
Wallace Named Outstanding Faculty Member
Clinical
Psychology Department
Receives Accreditation
by Melissa Fassel
We’ve
all seen the “UMass Boston First $50 Million Campaign” banner
hanging on the Science Building. Not only does this slogan signify putting
our public university first, it also celebrates the university’s
first major fundraising campaign. Soon, like the presidential debate
signs, it will be taken down. Having reached its goal of raising $50
million in private contributions one year early, the campaign has come
to a triumphant close.
Most capital campaigns usually begin with 50 to 60 percent
of their monetary goal already committed. When the UMass Boston First
Campaign kicked-off in 1996, University Advancement came up with
just 20 percent - leaving $40 million to raise over five years. Michael
Luck, Vice Chancellor of University Advancement, explained, “We
had to literally build the foundation for the house and the house itself
simultaneously.”
How did the campaign end up being such a huge success?
Luck attributes it not only in discovering new donors but also rediscovering
donors from among UMass Boston alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations
— many of which had little or no contact with the university prior
to this campaign. In addition, the most important factor was that “we
asked” people to consider giving major gifts, a first for the University.
“An enormous amount of support came from people and
area corporations and foundations who recognize that it is critical
to this institution, as the only public university in Boston, to have
this private funding,” Luck stated. “If we are to remain competitive
with other private institutions in the Boston area, the permanent revenue
of philanthropic support is essential.”
The campaign began with four major goals and a prestigious
Campaign Cabinet comprised of major contributors and influential alumni.
The four major goals were: to enhance and maintain the quality of the
faculty; to ensure access to all students; to strengthen teaching, research,
and academic resources; and to improve the total educational environment.
Some of the “firsts” to UMass Boston include
four new endowed professorships and a visiting professorship that recognizes
leading scholars; the first comprehensive alumni directory of graduates
of UMass Boston and Boston State College; UMass Boston, the first alumni/campus
magazine; and an establishment of a Retired Faculty Coalition and Endowed
Faculty Development Fund. Also, a comprehensive alumni club and reunion
program has been formed, with the first Alumni Homecoming included in
the annual WUMB Folk Festival. The Arts on the Point project arises
from the campaign, a large-scale collection of world-class monumental
art which puts UMass Boston on the map. Finally, the campaign enabled
the establishment of the UMass Foundation at Boston Board of Directors
which is comprised of exceptionally committed proponents of public education
whose goal is to foster and promote the progress, excellence and general
welfare of the campus.
The most notable achievement of the campaign is the tripling
of UMass Boston’s endowment from $8 million to over $24 million.
This increase in endowment will help ensure that we have the permanent
resources necessary for a public university of the first rank. Of particular
significance is the creation of more than $7 million in new scholarships
and awards for students which will provide our needy and academically
worthy graduate and undergraduate students with an opportunity for education
by recognizing and supporting talent, ability, and promise. Endowed
funds have also been established to support faculty development in the
sciences, liberal arts, education, and the college of management. The
campaign also generated on-campus support by creating the first Institutional
Advancement newsletter, University Advancement Update, which is sent
regularly to faculty, staff as well as retired and former employees.
On November 30, the campaign was concluded with a cabaret-themed celebration at the John F. Kennedy Library called “Milestones, Memories and Mirth.” The event joined all donors together to celebrate a common goal: the support of the only public university in Boston. Judy Byrne-Ariel, director of Donor Relations and Planned Giving, refers to these donors as “recognizing the worth of public education.” The campaign celebration featured entertainment by TV personality and comedian Jimmy Tingle, poetry by Professor Duncan Nelson, and a medley of songs performed by renowned local pianist and vocalist, Bobby Wetherbee. The several hundred attendees also had the pleasure of premiering the second UMass Boston First film which chronicles the life of the campaign and gives recognition to many of the donors.
Above Photo: University Advancement: (Left to Right) First row: Theresa Hadley, Sheryl Savage, Roberta Carrarra, Chi Huynh, Charles Anderson. Second row: Christina Dunn, Jane Parker, Susan Davis, Deborah Lynch, Chris Antonucci, Judy Byrne-Ariel, Peter Tofuri. Third row: Pam Sherman, Elaine Arend, Deirdre McNamee, Gary Messinger, Elena Sarikelle, Michael Luck.