800 attend gala dinner

by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff

Cathryn and Chancellor John Lombardi dance at the inaugural dinner. (Teresa A.B. Gauthier photo)

s the floor of the elegantly appointed Mullins Center slowly filled for the gala inaugural dinner on Feb. 6, Chancellor John V. Lombardi simply seemed to be everywhere. At one moment he was greeting guests, then posing for photographs with dignitaries, electrifying the crowd with an evangelical address extolling the virtues of his new campus and by evening's end, tearing up the dance floor with his wife, Cathryn.

     Running up the ramp leading to the stage, Lombardi wrestled the microphone from the podium and planted himself at center stage. Flanked by two huge screens projecting his image, Lombardi declared, "This university is a triumph."

     Looking across the dozens of tables filling the floor of the arena, the chancellor said he was attracted to UMass because of its huge potential. "The people here are all waiting to be mobilized. They are all waiting to do something interesting."

     Lombardi said the organization of the two-day inaugural festivities, aimed at showcasing the campus's teaching and research prowess, demonstrates the campus's ability to succeed.
"We have engaged every single part of the institution to produce what you see here today," he said. "It didn't matter what role people had - they said, 'Yeah, we can help.' ... This event is the model for what we can do."

     Universities, said Lombardi, have an ability to transform people.

     "That transformative power we have is what gives the University its strength," he said. "But what it gives more than anything else is our future."

     Then inviting the guests to be part of his crusade for the campus, Lombardi, assured them that they "have no idea how much fun we'll have as we build this special institution."
The message resonated with the crowd, which jumped to its feet, applauding until the chancellor relinquished the stage by saying, "Now let's dance."

     It was a casual end to a classy affair that attracted a host of faculty, student leaders, staff, alumni and various supporters of the campus. The guests included two former UMass presidents, Robert Wood and Joseph Duffey, as well as former chancellors David Scott, Randolph Bromery and Richard O'Brien.

     A contingent of trustees, led by chairman Grace K. Fey, was also there, as were President William M. Bulger and many of his top staff. Former trustees Gordon Oakes, Heriberto Flores, Peter Lewenberg and John Sweeney were also in attendance.

     Local legislators in the crowd included Sen. Stan Rosenberg and representatives Ellen Story, John Scibak, Christopher Donnelan, Benjamin Swan, Stephen Kulik and Peter Kocot. Former legislator Nancy Flavin was also there.

     Alumni Association president Jess Kane, who served as master of ceremonies, called the event "a celebration of our beloved campus."

     Kane announced that private fund-raising for the inaugural, spearheaded by a $50,000 gift from the Alumni Association, also raised $100,000 for a new Chancellor's Merit Scholarship Fund. He credited the Accenture company with providing a $25,000 challenge grant that inspired other donors to give to the scholarship fund.

     "This marks the first step in our next capital campaign," said Kane, who this week was named to the board of director of the new University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation.

     In his remarks, Bulger singled out the generosity of some other alumni, Robert and Kathleen Mahoney of the Class of 1970 and 1955 graduates Richard and Barbara Mahoney, who used the inaugural to announce a $2 million gift for the planned integrated sciences building.

     "This family is the University of Massachusetts," said Bulger, who also noted that longtime support lent by a third Mahoney brother, William, who also graduated in 1955.

Kathleen and Robert Mahoney, both Class of '70, pose with Chancellor John Lombardi at the dinner, where a $2 million gift to the campus from the couple and Barbara and Richard Mahoney, Class of '55, was officially announced. (Teresa A.B. Gauthier photo)

     Bulger then called Robert Mahoney, who serves on the Board of Trustees, to the stage "so we can express our sincere gratitude for what you have done for the University."

     "Our family has so benefited from this great university," said Mahoney. "It was our first choice, but really it was our only hope."

     Referring to the planned $80 million science building, Mahoney credited Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department head Lila Gierasch with inspiring his family's involvement.

     "We're so thrilled to help out with this project," said Mahoney, adding that the building will convey that "there's strength and there's growth" on campus.

     Fey relayed the greetings of the Board of Trustees, who "rely on Amherst for leadership because so much of the perception of the University is generated by this campus."

     Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and provost Charlena Seymour, who co-chaired the planning of the inaugural with interim Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Elizabeth Dale, praised the efforts during academic symposia held earlier in the day.

     "Our faculty were fabulous and our students were superb," she said. "I'm proud of you and proud of this campus."

     Seymour also cited Cathryn Lombardi for her efforts in planning the two-day celebration, saying her contributions made the inaugural "first class."

     Seymour and dean Lee Edwards of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts presented the Lombardis with a calligraphy work by Zhongwei Shen, assistant professor of Asian Languages and Literatures. The framed quotation from the Analects of Confucius, translates to "Never tire of learning and never grow weary of teaching others," said Seymour.

     The dinner, served by Catering Services, featured tenderloin of beef. Musical entertainment was provided by the Studio Orchestra and the Jazz Ensemble I.