Chancellor Meehan Inaugurated

Chancellor Marty Meehan accepts congratulations from U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Governor Deval Patrick.

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Nine months after starting work as chancellor of UMass Lowell, Marty Meehan was officially welcomed into the University community by students, faculty, the president and chairman of the University of Massachusetts, delegates from other universities and city, state and national representatives. And, in turn, Chancellor Meehan officially accepted his responsibilities, laying out an ambitious vision for the University that has already begun to take shape.

“It is with deep humility and a great sense of responsibility that I accept the honor of becoming the second chancellor of this great institution,” said Meehan during the two-hour-long inauguration ceremony on Friday, April 4, in the Recreation Center.

“Now, I am responsible for a new generation of students who need what I once needed. This institution was here to provide me a gateway when it was time for me to further my education. The gateway through which I passed must remain accessible and affordable and be a path to excellence,” said the chancellor.

More than one thousand people heard a succession of speakers describe the Lowell native, the first of his family to go to college, who achieved great success in his 15 years in Congress before returning to lead his alma mater.

“He now stands as an exemplar for the transformative power of education,” said David Sargent, president of Suffolk University where Meehan earned his master’s and juris doctorate degrees. “It is so perfectly fitting that the product of Lowell, the representative of Lowell, the alumnus of Lowell today be installed as the chancellor of the University of [Massachusetts] Lowell where I know he will have the same transformative impact on the University and the city.”

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi spoke of her respect for her friend and former colleague and her great hope for the future of the University under his leadership.

“He brought the values of Lowell to Washington, D.C. Now he brings his great reputation as a reformer in Washington to his new position as chancellor,” said Pelosi. “He was a star in Washington. He was always a son of Lowell. We wish you much success here, in your home town, your alma mater. Marty Meehan has come home.”

Gov. Deval Patrick brought greetings from the Commonwealth and emphasized their shared goal of keeping quality education affordable.

“Today we celebrate the wisdom of the University of Massachusetts. You have embraced the understanding of what opportunities are possible with a great education,” said Patrick. “I have confidence in our people, and none more than your new chancellor here at UMass Lowell.”

Meehan has already made an impact on the campus in his first nine months of office. Some notable accomplishments: hiring a nationally recognized provost; announcing a bold plan to grow the University through new academic and research buildings; implementing plans to increase the number of students living on campus; reinvigorating a hockey program that had been on the brink of elimination; improving the University’s profile and recruitment efforts through targeted advertising and marketing; and enhancing fundraising through record-setting events and private donations.

University of Massachusetts President Jack M. Wilson noted, “Clearly, Chancellor Meehan is already off to a fantastic start. He will need all students, alumni, faculty and staff to achieve his ambitious goals of the campus.”

Rob Manning ’84, chairman of the UMass Board of Trustees, spoke of an encounter with Meehan during the interview for the chancellor position. He asked Meehan why he wanted to become chancellor.

“He said, ‘Because I love UMass Lowell. It has given me everything that I have and I have to come back and create opportunities for people like me.’ I let that swirl around the room for a while,” said Manning. “Then I knew that he would be our next chancellor. Not because of the words he said, but the feeling behind them.”

Government leaders who represent the region in Congress and state Legislature also spoke.

“As an activist member of Congress, Rep. Meehan has been a dedicated advocate for our communities and has made a real difference in our country,” said U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas. “And now Chancellor Meehan’s impact will be felt at UMass Lowell and across the region; he has the background, skills and passion to be a great asset to the University at such a critical time, leading the institution to great achievements in the innovation economy for the 21st century.”

State Sen. Steven Panagiotakos said, “Only someone with Marty’s resume could understand the role this great university has played in ensuring the economic health of Lowell and the entire region.”

Other participants included Lowell Vice Mayor Rita Mercier; UMass Lowell Executive Vice Chancellor Jacqueline Moloney; Interim Provost Donald Pierson; Prof. Ann Marie Hurley of the Faculty Senate; the Rev. Nicholas Sannella of Immaculate Conception Church in Lowell; the Very Rev. Dr. Cleopas Strongylis of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Community of Lowell; UMass Lowell Student Government President Steve Holstrom; and UMass Lowell Honors Program student Alexandria Murray.

To view more pictures from the inauguration, visit the photo gallery: www.uml.edu/gallery.

To view a podcast of the inauguration ceremony, visit www.uml.edu/sunrise.