The University of Massachusetts Boston will hold its convocation for academic year 2008-09 on Monday, September 8th, 2008 to usher in a year of remarkable achievements. This year the university has seen a growth in student enrollments close to 14000 and boasts of research funds exceeding $45 million. This makes the UMass Boston one of the foremost research-based urban public universities of the new century. Also, this year the university will be making major strides towards implementing its strategic master plan to provide the best quality “living learning community” for students. Mass. Secretary of Education Paul Reville will deliver the key note address at this year’s convocation.
In his speech, “The Public University: Facing Challenges as a New Frontier”, Chancellor Motley will address the important contributions made by public universities towards the nation’s growth. In a world where everyone is favorably disposed to private higher education, the Chancellor will talk about how significant the contributions of public universities have been, especially in the field of research sciences.
Even in recent times of economic difficulties, UMass Boston has made tremendous progress in serving the one of the most economically, racially and ethnically diverse student bodies in New England. The university has increased its need-based financial aid allocation by over 15% to $4.80 million. UMass Boston’s success in development is unparalleled. In FY 2008 the university raised $17 million towards developments. This is a $3.3 million increase over last year. It is most heartening to note that the power of this campus to drive economic activity in Massachusetts is $558 million and over 4000 jobs have been created.
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About the University of Massachusetts Boston: Established in 1964, UMass Boston prides itself on providing challenging teaching, distinguished research, and extensive public service to Boston and the Commonwealth. Through its six colleges—Liberal Arts, Science and Mathematics, Management, Nursing and Health Sciences, Public and Community Service, and Graduate College of Education—the McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies, and the Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education, UMass Boston offers undergraduate and graduate study to 13,400 students in more than 150 fields. For more information, please visit www.umb.edu.