Former White House Chief of Staff to Lead Free March 30 Event

02/23/2017

Media contacts:  Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu and Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

LOWELL, Mass. – John H. Sununu – former chief of staff for President George H.W. Bush and father of New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu – will headline UMass Lowell’s next Lunchtime Lecture.

At a free event for the campus and community, “The Quiet Man: The Indispensable Presidency of George H.W. Bush,” Sununu will offer an insider’s account of his time in the White House and share his view that his former boss was at times underrated. The event will be held on Thursday, March 30.

UMass Lowell’s Lunchtime Lectures are presented by the university and the Moses Greeley Parker Lectures with support from community partners. Another event in the series will feature veteran journalist Dan Rea, who will lead “Media, Politics and the Law” on Wednesday, April 12. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers at both programs.

Like George H.W. Bush, John H. Sununu is the patriarch of his family’s political dynasty. The father of New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu, he is known as the elder statesman of the Granite State’s Republican Party.

Sununu began his career in public service in the New Hampshire House of Representatives in the mid-1970s and rose to become governor in 1983. Named Bush’s chief of staff in 1989, he served in that role until 1991 before joining CNN as the co-host of “Crossfire.” In 2009, he returned to New Hampshire politics and led the state’s GOP as chairman until 2011. A mechanical engineer who once worked as a university professor, today he is president and CEO of JHS Associates Ltd., an international business consulting firm.

Rea, as the host of WBZ News Radio’s “NightSide,” tackles political, economic and social issues each weeknight from 8 p.m. to midnight. His presentation at UMass Lowell will examine journalism’s role in society. A WBZ-TV reporter for 31 years, he is a recipient of the Yankee Quill Award, considered the highest individual accolade awarded by fellow journalists in the region. Rea has interviewed every American president since Gerald Ford but may be best known for his years-long effort to exonerate and free Joseph Salvati, a Boston man wrongfully convicted and incarcerated for a 1965 murder. While covering Salvati’s case as a reporter, Rea, who is also a lawyer, found evidence that ultimately helped clear Salvati’s name.

“John Sununu and Dan Rea are great storytellers who will engage guests with their perspectives on a variety of newsworthy issues. UMass Lowell is proud to bring free, educational and cultural events to the community each year through the Lunchtime Lecture Series,” said Mehmed Ali, the UMass Lowell Libraries’ assistant director of digital initiatives and History Department faculty member who is among the events’ organizers.

The Lunchtime Lectures begin at 11:45 a.m. and include a complimentary buffet, Sununu's program will be at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell. Rea's presentation will take place at the O'Leary Library Learning Commons, 61 Wilder St. on UMass Lowell's South Campus. Walk-ins are welcome the day of both programs. Members of the public who would like to reserve a spot in advance for either event can RSVP by emailing Mehmed_Ali@uml.edu or calling 978-934-5467. The reservation deadline for Sununu’s presentation is March 27 and the deadline for Rea’s event is April 11. Public parking is available at the municipal garage next to the venue.

UMass Lowell is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its more than 17,750 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be ready for work, for life and for all the world offers. www.uml.edu