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Winter 2003

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Around the Pond

A truly defining moment
The inauguration of Chancellor John V. Lombardi

Faye Wolfe




	"We have the people and the talent, the support of our president and trustees, the power of our alumni and friends, and the interests of the Commonwealth at heart. We fight for the future of UMass Amherst's academic imperative knowing that our performance will command the resources we need in time for our future." - Chancellor John V. Lombardi

WHAT WAS THE BEST PART of the inauguration? Well, the moment when a friendly attendant at the Campus Center Garage said, waving his hand,that the parking was free certainly gets at least one vote. Others might cite UMass President William M. Bulger’s reference to the Mahoneys’ – Robert ’70, Kathleen ’70, Richard ’55 and Barbara ’55 – $2 million gift toward an integrated science building. That generous gift had been formally announced at the gala dinner the night before. There were, in fact, many high notes, besides those effortlessly reached by the University Choirs singing “The Star Spangled Banner.”

The ceremony began with the processional: dignitaries, officials, faculty entered the arena, their billowy academic robes (mostly black, but a few rose or brown or other subdued hues) variously accentuated by bands of gold, royal blue, sky blue and scarlet. The golden tassels of their mortarboards – or medieval-looking velvet headgear resembling oversized tams – swung and bobbed to Rimsky-Korsakov and Delibes played con brio by the University Wind Ensemble.

The tone of the ceremony, like the ceremonial robes, combined the somber and the colorful. Bulger spoke of how UMass “inspires great devotion,” and, quoting historian David McCullough’s description of UMass as a “remarkable idea,” asserted that it would “persevere and prosper.” Ernest May, representing the faculty, referred to the university’s pursuit of “truth, beauty and external funding.” Julie Fifield, representing campus staff, delineated the many ways in which employees and UMass connect: through the day care center, the health services, Fine Arts Center performances. She also revealed that she had met her husbands – “two so far” – on campus. Alumni Association President Jess Kane, welcomed Lombardi, pledged alumni support and stated his intention of trading his wire-rims for black-framed glasses like Lombardi’s. And Earl W. Stafford, founding board member of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation, wryly described the relationship of research to teaching as that of sin to confession: Without the first, you haven’t much to offer the second.

Others offered perspectives on the new chancellor. David Carr, Student Government Association president, called him a “colorful guy.” John W. Ryan, Indiana University president emeritus, recalled a“brash and brilliant” young Lombardi and advised him to “Be lucky.” Ambassador Carrera Damas from Venezuela, another old friend, spoke of Lombardi’s “dedication immune to any disturbance,” and of his passion for car mechanics.

For the investiture, Bulger and Trustee Chair Grace K. Fey together trimmed Lombardi with the Chancellor’s Medallion, a complicated piece of jewelry with 26 silver disks bearing the names of former university leaders, and one with Lombardi’s name.

Officially bedecked, Lombardi delivered a rapid-fire address, sweeping through centuries of the history of scholarship, limning his own path to this new post and emphasizing that “money matters, performance counts and time is the enemy.” Exhorting the campus community to choose “a culture of achievement over a culture of complaint,” he made a powerful case for his “academic imperative,” and revealed what Carrera Damas meant when he called Lombardi’s speech his “secret weapon.”

Soon after, Provost Charlena M. Seymour, mistress of ceremonies, sent the audience on its way – to a reception in the concourse, to shuttles, to work – or, for one special day – to a free ride past the parking garage payment booth.

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A truly defining moment

...and a remarkable, joyful noise

INAUGURATION: More photos

The Academic Imperative

Inside & Out at SOM

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT: More photos

The bright idea: UMass Amherst and Baystate Medical Center

AMHERST & BAYSTATE: More photos

Arts & Science & a major grant

bridges of umass

BRIDGES: Larger image