University Advancement
Quinn 1
617-287-5348
giving@umb.edu
Alumni Relations
Quinn 2
617-287-5349
alumni@umb.edu
‘You’ve Changed Our World’ Event
Champions Private Philanthropy
by Nanette L. Cormier
More than 200 alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the University of Massachusetts Boston learned recently how they’ve changed the university’s world through private giving at the “You’ve Changed Our World” celebration on October 7. The event marked the establishment of two donor recognition societies, the Founders Circle and the Chancellor’s Council. Both societies convey UMass Boston's gratitude to its benefactors and highlight the impact of philanthropic investment as the university strives toward new heights.
Private philanthropy, which totaled $16.8 million during UMass Boston's past fiscal year, provides a critical foundation for growth of the university's research, teaching, and service mission. And it also represents a substantial growth in private giving at the university, nearly $5 million over the previous year.
“Thank you for partnering with us to ensure that this great university – Boston’s only public university – continues to provide a superior, accessible education,” said Chancellor J. Keith Motley as he welcomed guests at the Campus Center. “Thank you for investing in research that expands knowledge, informs public policy, and ultimately advances the university’s capacity to improve lives.”
The Founders Circle pays tribute to donors whose cumulative giving to the university is at $100,000 or more for individuals, and $250,000 or more for organizations. Founders Circle members are now permanently honored through a wall of recognition in the Campus Center. The wall represents the first permanent display that UMass Boston has created to recognize the importance of charitable support for its mission. As a special tribute to the lasting impact that these benefactors have had at the university, each of these honorees was hosted at the event by a student, faculty or administrator who had benefited from their charitable support.
University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Manning, Chancellor Motley, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Darrell Byers, Charles Merrill Scholar Pennylou Andrade (’07), and Boston Globe Scholar Lilly O’Flaherty (’11) officially unveiled the wall at the evening event. The multi-paneled Founders Circle wall showcases donors at four recognition societies. The names of the recognition societies reflect the rich history of UMass Boston, founded in 1964, and that of Boston State College, which joined the university in 1982. They are named for philanthropist Mary Hemenway, State Senator George V. Kenneally, Jr., Teachers College of the City of Boston President William H.J. Kennedy, and former UMass Boston Professor Daisy Tagliacozzo.
The “You’ve Changed Our World” event also inaugurated the Chancellor's Council, which provides a vital stream of income and helps the UMass Boston Fund to achieve its ambitious goals. To mark the occasion, Council Chair Arthur Mabbett (’69) presented Chancellor Motley a scroll bearing the names of the charter members of the Chancellor’s Council.
“I believe that each of us has a personal, moral, and civic responsibility to help others and to give something back for the opportunities we have been provided and the success that we’ve achieved,” Mabbett said. “Members of the Chancellor’s Council have made a personal choice to publicly demonstrate their commitment, and as such, they encourage others to do the same.”
As a visible reminder of that commitment, Mr. Mabbett gave Chancellor Motley a special Chancellor’s Council banner, which will be displayed at important university occasions such as commencement.
The event program also included two short videos that powerfully displayed the impact of philanthropy at UMass Boston. One featured student scholarship recipients, and the other showcased faculty and programs that have benefited from private support. College of Management MBA student and State Street Scholar Elena Asllani (’08), an immigrant from Albania, also shared her personal perspective on what her scholarship has meant to her. As a result of participating in this scholar program, she took her first professional position in loan servicing at State Street following graduation.
In her remarks, Asllani acknowledged her mother and the College of Management faculty for their support of her studies. She also told the audience about the tremendous impact that charitable support has on students. “As I look forward to developing my career, I also recognize that there are many other UMass Boston scholarship recipients like me in this room,” Asllani said. “On their behalf, I would like to say thank you to all the donors who are providing them with financial support to get a great education. What you’re doing for them, as State Street did for me, is helping us fulfill our dreams.”
To learn more about Founders Circle, please contact:
Gina Cappello
Associate Vice Chancellor
University Advancement
To learn more about Chancellor's Council, please contact:
Kelly Westerhouse
Director, UMass Boston Fund
University Advancement
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3393