BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today announced the appointment of Robert Lewis Jr. and Julie M. Ramos Gagliardi to the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees. The appointments fill the seats vacated by Maria Furman and former Board of Trustees Chairman Henry M. Thomas III whose terms expired following more than 10 years of service.
Robert Lewis Jr. is a nationally recognized thought leader, public speaker, social innovator and advocate for urban youth. He currently serves as the founder and Executive Director of the BASE – a nonprofit that combines athletic training and competition with education and career resources to empower student-athletes to achieve their full potential.
Julie M. Ramos Gagliardi is the First Vice President of Corporate Giving and Community Relations at BayCoast Bank. She is a graduate of UMass Dartmouth and earned her MBA from Boston College. Gagliardi is active throughout the SouthCoast, both in her official capacity at BayCoast Bank and personally. Her personal service includes her current role as chair of the Somerset Berkley Regional School Committee.
“I am pleased to appoint Robert Lewis and Julie Gagliardi to the UMass Board of Trustees,” Governor Charlie Baker said. “Robert Lewis is a dedicated leader and fierce advocate for our urban youth, and Julie Gagliardi is a passionate and deeply rooted leader in the SouthCoast with strong ties to her alma mater. I’m confident they will both play an important role in the continued growth of our public university system. I am also thankful to former Chairman Henry Thomas and Maria Furman for their service as trustees and for being an integral part of UMass’s continued future success.”
“We are thrilled to have the insights of both Robert and Julie on our Board and are confident that their input will help us continue to build on our mission of education, research and service to the benefit of our students and our state,” UMass President Marty Meehan said. “Despite the many demands on Governor Baker at this time, we are extremely grateful to him for the careful attention and consideration he gives to these important appointments.”
“As Chairman, I am very pleased to welcome both Julie and Robert to the UMass Board of Trustees and thank Governor Baker for identifying such standout appointees,” UMass Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Manning said. “I look forward to working with these two distinguished leaders to take UMass to even greater heights for the benefit of our students, faculty and staff.”
Chairman Manning and President Meehan also offered praise on outgoing Trustee Maria Furman and Former Board of Trustees Chairman Henry M. Thomas III.
“Henry and Maria reflect the very best of our board and both used their knowledge and talents to ensure that UMass continued to offer a world-class and student-centered education while effectively managing through a challenging fiscal environment,” said Chairman Manning. “They will be greatly missed, but we look forward to their continued engagement with the university in different capacities.”
“As chairman, Henry was an ardent advocate for the university and the students it serves and led our Board during a period of robust growth at UMass,” said President Meehan. “As the former chair of a number of committees, including Administration and Finance, Audit and Academic and Student Affairs, Maria Furman was the driving force behind our efficiency and effectiveness program, which has resulted in more than $124 million in cost reductions. Their impacts will last for generations.”
Lewis and Gagliardi were sworn in today by Governor Charlie Baker at a ceremony which was attended by UMass President Marty Meehan and UMass Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Manning.
The 22-member UMass Board of Trustees includes 17 members appointed by the Governor and five members are UMass students elected by the student bodies of each of the Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell and Medical School campuses.
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