Patrick chair at UMass Boston launched at gala

Former governor Deval Patrick tries out a new chair given to him by UMass Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley (center) as a token of the university establishing an academic faculty chair in his honor. Also pictured are UMass Board of Trustees Chairman Victor Woolridge, left,  and UMass Boston Provost Winston Langley.Former governor Deval Patrick tries out a new chair given to him by UMass Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley (center) as a token of the university establishing an academic faculty chair in his honor. Also pictured are UMass Board of Trustees Chairman Victor Woolridge, left, and UMass Boston Provost Winston Langley.

UMass Boston honored former Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick at its Golden Gala at the Seaport/World Trade Center last Thursday, June 4. The former governor and his wife Diane were the guests of honor at the event, at which a new academic chair named for the governor was unveiled. The event also served as the launch of a new Just Imagine campaign to fund the university. The campaign has been in a quiet phase during which UMass Boston has raised over $52 million toward its campaign goal of $100 million.

The Deval L. Patrick Chair in Social, Political, and Economic Innovation will focus on “cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and advance knowledge of how government, business, and nonprofit organizations,” according to the university. There will also be a particular focus on reducing disparities and increasing equity where the need exists.Patrick was a frequent visitor to the Dorchester campus during his two terms in office and delivered UMass Boston’s 2007 commencement address.

The Just Imagine campaign is the largest capital campaign in the history of UMass Boston. In addition to raising funds for the university, it is also aimed at growing alumni engagement and fostering a culture of giving. It will be led by campaign chair Richard P. Campbell, who graduated from UMass Boston in 1970 and is a founding partner of Campbell, Campbell, Edwards & Conroy.


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