We Broke the Mold

Introducing the new UMass Magazine

Art by John Solem

Ideas & Innovations

October 2025

Four people chatting at a table in front of a bulletin board with magazine spreads and sticky notes.

At least as far back as 1903, the university has published a magazine, and in so doing, it has chronicled the institution’s evolution from agricultural college to nationally ranked research university. The magazine has mirrored that evolution in its look and feel through a series of redesigns—carrying the nameplate UMASS, Contact, or Massachusetts, and incorporating the latest styles in design, photography, and copywriting.

198419952017
Contact, a publication of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Vol. IX. No. 3 January-February 1984, James Baldwin cover
Massachusetts Summer 1995, The Magazine for Alumni & Friends of UMass Amherst, Volume 6, Number 4, ...3, 2, 1 Astronaut Cady Coleman is ready for liftoff
UMass, The Magazine of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Fall 2017, cover featuring Red-eyed tree frog

Well, we’ve done it again. We have been working on redesigning UMass Magazine over the past year. We relish capturing stories that get to those special characters and spots that make UMass so unique, and we're pleased that this update really lets those stories shine. Rest assured that all of the changes—big and small—lend themselves perfectly to our continuing mission:

As UMass Magazine once again reinvents itself to better serve you, our dear readers, we hope you enjoy the new design, expanded Class Notes, reader submissions, archival gems, and updates from campus and the surrounding area.

You will also see that the magazine’s Instagram account, @UMass_Magazine, has been fully revamped, with new stories being featured all the time.

This is your magazine! We want it to reflect your diverse adventures, backgrounds, and daily lives, so please keep writing in with letters, story ideas, and photos. Reach out to [email protected].