BOSTON - Dec. 14, 2007: Describing himself as "deeply honored" and expressing "confidence about our future," Robert J. Manning today was unanimously elected chairman of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees.
"It is a great honor for anyone to be chosen to serve as Chairman of this very distinguished Board, but for someone like me, who counts himself as a proud University of Massachusetts alumnus, it is a particular privilege. This honor creates the opportunity to serve the University that has given so much to me and to my family," Manning said.
"This is an exciting time for the University of Massachusetts. We have made progress in so many key areas, we are serving the needs of more than 61,000 students, and are fueling the state's economy. There is the potential for us to do much more as we rebuild our facilities, attract top students, enhance our Nobel Prize-winning research and innovation portfolio and work with Governor Patrick and the Legislature to establish the University of Massachusetts as a preeminent public university in the world. I am confident about the University's ability to play a leadership role in the Commonwealth and look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board, with the President and with the Chancellors and the campuses in our ongoing work to achieve this goal," Manning said.
"I will always work to put students first. The University of Massachusetts manufactures hope and inspiration in the lives of its students," Manning added.
Manning, who was named to the Board of Trustees in September 2006 and has served as vice chairman of the board since then, succeeds Stephen P. Tocco, who stepped down as chairman. Manning expressed his gratitude for Tocco's "leadership and service."
President Jack M. Wilson thanked former Chairman Tocco for his leadership and support and said that Manning would "continue the tradition of outstanding leadership that we have seen from previous chairs."
"In a very short time, Rob Manning has impressed the entire UMass community with his passion, his vision, his energy and his desire to give back to the University that has had such an impact on his life. I look forward to working with Rob and with all the other members of the Board of Trustees as we seek to build a public university that takes its rightful place alongside the finest institutions in the world and excels at serving the needs of the Commonwealth and its citizens," President Wilson said.
Manning, 44, a 1984 graduate of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, is Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Investment Officer of MFS Investment Management, a Boston-based investment management company that as of September 30, 2007, managed more than $204 billion in assets for over five million investors worldwide.
Manning was named to his current positions in February 2004. Prior to that, Manning led MFS' fixed income division from 2001 to 2004. From 1992 to 2001, he held several senior fixed income positions, including Chief Strategist and Director of Research; Senior Vice President; Portfolio Manager; and Vice President. Manning joined MFS in 1984 as a research analyst in the High Yield Bond group.
Manning lives in Swampscott with his wife, Donna Manning, also a graduate of UMass Lowell. The Mannings have created the Robert and Donna Manning Endowed Scholarship Fund, which provides two scholarships annually for UMass Lowell students.
Contact: Robert P. Connolly
617-287-7073