:: Spotlight
UMass Boston event celebrates college access
Boston Globe photos by Jim Brett
Event Program (pdf)
Karen (Edwards) Hines, an Urban Scholars alumna, stands with Chancellor J.
Keith Motley, PhD and current scholar Alex Bennett, a student at the Public
Service Academy in Dorchester.
By Nanette L. Cormier
Over 250 guests joined the University of Massachusetts on May 2 for its annual scholarship celebration. themed 25 Years, 1,500 Lives, Talent for Tomorrow: An Urban Scholars Anniversary and Motley Scholarship Celebration. The program highlighted the successes of Urban Scholars program and honored its co-founder, Charles Desmond chair of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, with the 2009 Chancellor’s Medal.
Event proceeds are benefiting the Urban Scholars program and the J. Keith Motley Scholarship. The event’s lead sponsor was Verizon.
Founded at UMass Boston in 1983 as a pilot pre-collegiate program for academically talented public high school students from predominantly minority and low-income backgrounds, Urban Scholars has since prepared nearly 1,500 Boston Public Schools middle and high school students for success in college. Some 98 percent of Urban Scholars graduates enroll in college, and 86 percent graduate – much higher rates than their Boston Public Schools and national peers.
The privately funded J. Keith Motley Scholarship supports graduates of the university’s pre-collegiate programs who continue their education at UMass Boston.
Guests enjoyed an array of restaurant offerings and participated in a silent auction, while listening to jazz music by Joe Ziemba. This “Tasting on the Point” was made possible through the generous in-kind donations from Poppa B’s, Rita’s Catering, Spinelli’s, and Ethnica.
Urban Scholars alumni and students were plentiful and shared perspectives on the program’s impact. Among the current Urban Scholars, the Bennetts from Dorchester – middle schoolers, Cecil and Sarah, and high schoolers, Alex and Anthony – demonstrated the program’s profound influence on one family.
During the dessert speaking program, UMass Boston Vice Provost for Academic Support Services Joan Becker, who co-founded the Urban Scholars program, served as master of ceremonies.
“UMass Boston recognizes that the journey for kids from Boston’s inner city neighborhoods to college and professional success is often filled with substantial obstacles. Despite these challenges, the middle and high school students in the Urban Scholars Program invest their energy and persist year-round in the work of building their futures,” said Chancellor Motley.
Armindo Goncalves, a 1989 Urban Scholars graduate, talked about the program’s and Desmond’s influence on him. Goncalves recalled a time when he and Desmond were driving in Milton. Goncalves said, “Wow, look at these houses, they are so big.” Desmond turned to him and advised, “Don’t focus on what others have, but on what you want.” That wisdom has carried Goncalves far.
A first-generation college student, he earned a BA in planning and urban economics from UMass Boston and an MA in international development and regional planning from MIT. Goncalves is now deputy director for economic development at the Boston Redevelopment Authority and an active leader in the Cape Verdean community.
Goncalves was followed by current Urban Scholar Ivy Ebanks, a senior at Excel High School in South Boston, who recounted that the program taught her to be a leader, “to take control of the situation in order to get the most out of it.” She will study physics and theater at UMass Amherst and says, “I am ready for the next step in my life.” Ebanks and Cecil Bennett were then showcased on the “big screen” in UrbanNet, a filmed talk show-style interview they conducted with Desmond last summer.
Desmond explained the obstacles he and his colleagues faced when they launched Urban Scholars, including personnel in the Boston Public Schools who said, “There are no gifted and talented kids in these schools.” The program proved them wrong. He also talked about his Vietnam War service and a pledge he made while lying seriously wounded on the battlefield. “If I get out of here, I’m going to do something constructive with my life,” Desmond vowed.
The Chancellor’s Medal, then awarded to him for his “exemplary leadership in public education,” evidenced that Desmond has accomplished that and more. In his remarks, Desmond noted the “belief in recognizing the untapped potential, unrecognized talents, and uncharted genius of students is what UMass Boston is all about.”
Talent for Tomorrow concluded with a performance by contemporary jazz recording artist Walter Beasley.
Urban Scholars is made possible through the generous support of Verizon, Eastern Bank and other private donors.
contact: Ellen Fleming
Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
University Advancement
617-287-5327