National Search Launched for Leader of University's Flagship Campus
BOSTON - August 15, 2007 - University of Massachusetts President Jack M. Wilson and the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees today established a 24-person search committee to conduct a national search for a new chancellor for the University's flagship Amherst campus.
The committee is chaired by UMass Amherst graduate and Trustee Jennifer Braceras and includes UMass Amherst faculty members, trustees, alumni, and business and community leaders.
"As a graduate of UMass Amherst, I take special interest in the search for a new Chancellor of our flagship campus," said University of Massachusetts Trustee Jennifer C. Braceras, chairman of the search committee. "I look forward to working with the committee and conducting a national search for a leader who will help UMass Amherst claim its place among the nation's leading public universities."
The search committee membership includes:
Chair: Trustee Jennifer C. Braceras, Alumna, Class of 1989
Members:
- Professor Marilyn Billings, Chair, Faculty Rules Committee, Library
- Professor John Brigham, Political Science
- Trustee Matt E. Carlin, President and CEO, Resource Options Inc.
- Paul J. Carney, Alumnus, Class of 1982. UMass Amherst Foundation Board
- Dean Priscilla Clarkson, Commonwealth College
- A. Edward Cutting, Doctoral Candidate, School of Education, Class of 2009
- Trustee John A. DiBiaggio, President Emeritus of Tufts University, former president of Michigan State University and the University of Connecticut
- Grace K. Fey, UMass Amherst Foundation Board, Executive Vice President, Frontier Capital Management Company
- Heriberto Flores, Alumnus, Class of 1973, 1991 M.Ed, Executive Director, New England Farm Workers Council
- Dr. Mary Grant, President, Massachusetts College of the Liberal Arts
- Eugene M. Isenberg, Alumnus, Class of 1950, President, University of Massachusetts Foundation, Chairman and CEO of Nabors Industries, Inc.
- James R. Julian, Jr., Executive Vice President, University of Massachusetts
- Trustee Ruben J. King-Shaw, Chairman & CEO, Mansa Equity Partners, Inc.
- Dr. Aaron Lazare, Chancellor Emeritus, University of Massachusetts Medical School
- Trustee Robert B. McCarthy, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts
- Kathleen Mitchell, Alumna, Class of 1979, Managing Director, Snow Cabin Goods
- Professor Barbara A. Osborne, Veterinary and Animal Sciences
- Professor Max Page, President Massachusetts Society of Professors, Art
- Trustee Robert K. Sheridan, President and CEO, Savings Bank Life Insurance
- Professor Shaw Hsu, Polymer Science
- Joseph C. Sullivan, Alumnus, Class of 1981
- Trustee Ruth Thompson, Student Trustee, Class of 2008
- Dr. Marcellette G. Williams, Senior Vice President Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and International Relations, University of Massachusetts
The University is conducting a formal search to replace departing UMass Amherst Chancellor John Lombardi, who will become President of Louisiana State University on September 1. President Wilson today announced that for the next year while the search committee does its work, the Amherst campus will be led by Dr. Thomas Cole, Jr., former president of Clark Atlanta University. Faculty search committee members were chosen following extensive consultation and a call for nominations from faculty and the University community. Community and business leaders selected to serve on the committee have demonstrated a commitment to the future excellence of the University of Massachusetts and its vital role as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' public research University.
"This is an exciting time for the University of Massachusetts-research expenditures, the endowment and enrollment are on the rise and state leaders continue to support University initiatives," said University of Massachusetts President Jack M. Wilson. "UMass Amherst is the flagship campus of a world-class, top-tier University and the next Chancellor will be poised to lead the Amherst campus during a pivotal time for the campus, the University and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
Wilson also expressed his appreciation to outgoing Chancellor John V. Lombardi, saying: "I would like to thank Chancellor Lombardi for his leadership of the Amherst campus. We wish him the best in his new endeavor."
The search committee is tasked with seeking, encouraging, interviewing and recommending to the President the strongest possible candidates for the position of Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The committee is expected to hold its first meeting this fall.
"A truly excellent public University should have a leader of the highest caliber at its flagship campus. We are committed to a national search that identifies Chancellor candidates who will bring outstanding vision and leadership to the campus. Massachusetts is a national leader in innovation and in higher education and it draws talented students and researchers from across the nation and the globe. We will draw high caliber candidates from all corners for the Chancellor position at UMass Amherst," said University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Chairman Stephen P. Tocco.
The University of Massachusetts was established in 1863 as the Massachusetts Agricultural College and it became the University of Massachusetts in 1947. With campuses in Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell and a Medical School in Worcester, the University's annual research expenditures exceed $400 million and more than 58,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled in degree programs across all academic disciplines. The University is governed by a single Board of Trustees composed of 19 voting members and three non-voting members. The President of the University oversees the five-campus system, and each campus is lead by a Chancellor.
Contact:
Robert P. Connolly
617-287-7073
Libby DeVecchi
617-287-7023