Today, let us pause to remember John DiBiaggio, former University of Massachusetts Trustee, and president of Tufts University, Michigan State University, and the University of Connecticut. John passed away February 1 at the age of 87.
Appointed to the Board by Governor Mitt Romney in 2003, John was an exemplary higher education leader who drew on his experiences growing up in Detroit and being the first in his family to attend college. He was the epitome of a public servant – humble and selfless, strategic and ethical, and always working to expand access to higher education. A mentor at heart, he spent a great deal of this time and energy, via the American Council on Education fellows, working to develop new higher education leaders. His impact on higher education has been and will continue to be felt nationwide.
On behalf of the entire University of Massachusetts community of students, faculty, staff and alumni, I send my sincere condolences to John’s family, friends and colleagues.