The entire University of Massachusetts community mourns the loss of Joseph D. Duffey, the distinguished former UMass Amherst chancellor and UMass president who fought for excellence in public higher education and for peace and justice in our society.
Joe Duffey led an extraordinary life. He was a higher education leader, a civil rights and anti-war activist, a U.S. Senate candidate and ordained minister who chaired the National Endowment for the Humanities and led the U.S. Information Agency.
At UMass Amherst, Dr. Duffey stressed the importance of a well-rounded education, supported the development of what has become the Isenberg School of Management and was a calming voice during turbulent times. In stressing the importance of knowledge, reason and discussion, Dr. Duffey points the way to a better future. Joseph Duffey stands tall in the history of the University of Massachusetts. His legacy will long endure.