Design + Engineering: Driving innovation and the world’s best products
2025 Shirley and Ting-Wei Tang Endowment Lecture
Content
Insights from the UMass engineer who shaped the last 25+ years of Apple products
Join us for an inspiring event featuring Daniel J. Riccio Jr. ’86 ‘24MS as he shares his extraordinary journey from UMass to the pinnacle of innovation at Apple, and back to UMass.
- Exclusive insights into Riccio’s days at Apple, where he played a pivotal role in building the team, culture, and processes that delivered category-defining Apple products
- Vision for Riccio College of Engineering and motivation behind his transformative $50 million gift
The lecture will include both a traditional presentation and a Q&A fireside chat.
Pre-submit your question before Oct. 24 using this link.
October 30, 2025
Student Union Ballroom
Doors open at 3:30 pm
Reception 3:30 - 4:15 pm
Lecture at 4:30 pm
All are welcome
The Shirley and Ting-Wei Tang Endowment Lecture Series, founded in 1999, brings engineering leaders to campus to present a major talk to the University.
Dan Riccio is a respected leader, recently retired from Apple Inc., who over the past three decades played a lead role in creating the most innovative products in the world.
After joining Apple in 1998, Riccio built Apple’s Product Design team and developed its world-class product development process leading the team to deliver category defining products including the iMac, iPhone and iPad.
Riccio then transitioned to leading Apple’s Hardware Engineering team to deliver all Apple’s groundbreaking new products that pushed the boundaries of innovation for the next two decades.
Prior to Apple, Riccio held engineering roles at Compaq and Digital Equipment Corporation.
Riccio has been an active member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Engineering since 2023. Additionally, Dan serves as a director of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation. In April 2025, he was recognized with the College of Engineering Outstanding Alumni Award, and in May 2025 he received the UMass Amherst Distinguished Achievement Award.
Riccio holds an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in manufacturing engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.