From left, Swanee Hunt, Peter O'Connell, Mary Kramer, Ehud David Laska, Claire Chamberlain, Larry Ardito, Diana Tran and Chancellor Marty Meehan.
It was a night to celebrate individuals who have brought honor to UMass Lowell – successful alumni, pioneering faculty members and one community member whose support has helped bring music to Lowell schoolchildren. More than 200 people applauded these honorees at the Francis Cabot Lowell Alumni Awards and Honors Fellows Gala on Thursday, Nov. 19 at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center. Proceeds from the event will benefit students in the Honors Program.
“We are very, very fortunate to have a wealth of riches: from world-class faculty, to our diverse and motivated students, to engaged and active and successful alumni,” said Chancellor Martin T. Meehan. “This event highlights some of those riches.”
Honored were:
Hunt, who spoke earlier in the day to honors students and gave the 2009 Community Fellows Talk, accepted her award in honor of her mother, whose four brothers saved up money to pay for a year of college for their sister.
“My mother was very smart – Cracker Jack smart. She would have given any amount in the world to have more than one year of college. But there weren’t scholarships for someone like her,” said Hunt. “And when I look at this room and I see what you are all supporting, I take it very personally.”
The Hunt Alternatives Fund gives money to Prof. Kay George Roberts’ String Project, which introduces Lowell grade-school students to string instruments. Twelve students from the group, the charter members of the Lowell Symphonic Youth Orchestra, played a piece during the reception.
Honors Fellow Mary Kramer talked about the importance of leaving a legacy to the next generation. “My colleagues and I think that maybe we have contributed through teaching, providing students not just the academic materials, but ideas and theories and values. We teach them why and then encourage them to go out and ask, why not?” she said.
Peter O’Connell noted that the Tsongas Industrial History Center is considered a partner of the University so his faculty role was somewhat unusual. “The fact that the University is making the award to a ‘partnership person’ like me says much about the University’s commitment to partnerships. It is the way the University does business,” he said.
Larry Ardito’s friends and family donated $5,000 in his name to the Honors Program, creating the Larry Ardito Accounting Scholarship. He talked about how, as an 8-year-old, he sat with his father sorting money and receipts from the family business at the dining room table. Going to college was not optional in his family, and he spoke fondly of his time at what he now calls “UMass Lowell Tech.”
“My professors, some of whom don’t want to admit they taught me for age reasons, imparted such knowledge and gave me the character and ethics and direction that you couldn’t get anywhere else,” said Ardito.
Claire Chamberlain objected to being called a pioneer in advocating for women’s athletics, even though when she came to the Lowell State 37 years ago there were no intercollegiate athletics for women and she worked hard to change that environment. She has been inducted into the Northeast Hall of Fame for her pioneering work for Title IX.
“We simply saw what needed to be done and did it,” she said. “You students here tonight will mark your own brilliant paths, and you couldn’t have picked a better place to do it.”
Ehud Laska, who has achieved success in building, restructuring and selling companies, offered some career advice: “Your point of view is not important, but your viewing point is,” he said, noting the former is an opinion and the latter is a perspective. “If you look at things from a different direction or a different perspective, you’ll be able to close a deal, close a transaction and invent something."
Diana Tran, who came to the United State knowing little English 14 years ago and has now achieved success as a small business owner, gave a touching acceptance of her award.
“After I was accepted as a student at UMass Lowell, I learned from students and faculty who set high standards and encouraged me to reach my goals. For myself, UMass Lowell has given me the confidence and knowledge to enter the world of business,” said Tran.
“This Honors Program is making a difference in the lives of our students,” said Meehan. “Your support provides an opportunity for highly motivated students to realize their full potential as thinkers, inventors, teachers, analysts, creators, entrepreneurs, innovators, critics. Whatever they want to do, our Honors Program can give them the tools they need to reach their full potential.”
The Francis Cabot Lowell Award, given to alumni, faculty and staff, honors the values and accomplishments of the city of Lowell’s namesake. Honors Fellows represent the legacy of educational excellence that inspires the UMass Lowell Honors Program. The Community Honors Fellow is the only fellow selected outside of UMass Lowell, a tradition that began in 2008 in recognition of the synergistic connection between the University and the community.
Check out the Franics Cabot Lowell Awards photo gallery.
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