Maurianne Adams Makes Posthumous Gift of $646,000 to the Social Justice Education Program

A pioneer in the field of social justice education, Maurianne Adams put UMass Amherst on the map as the premier research institution for critically examining systemic oppression in educational and societal contexts. By all accounts, she was instantly viewed as a luminary when she joined the School of Education faculty in 1982. Adams’ influence endures to this day, not only in the litany of books, articles, book chapters and courses she produced, but in the form of a landmark estate gift of $646,000.

Image

Adams’ gift is emblematic of one of her favorite quips, “We are all works in progress.” The funds are reserved to support a variety of initiatives in the Social Justice Education (SJE) program, all of which are testaments to the ongoing nature of emancipatory research and praxis. SJE faculty, alumni, and students will have increased opportunities to collaborate, attend conferences, and conduct research thanks to Adams’ generosity.

Appreciating the context of Maurianne’s generosity is key to understanding her impact as a scholar, activist and humanist, says Sidonio Ferreira (’08M.Ed.), special assistant to the vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life. 

“It’s not just about money, it’s about access,” he said. “It’s Maurianne’s core philosophy.”

Rachel Lynn Wagner (‘14Ed.D.), now an assistant professor in the College of Education at Clemson University, agrees. She notes that, even posthumously, Maurianne found a way to be an advocate for distributive justice.

“One of the reasons it took me 10 years to complete my degree was that I couldn’t afford to be a graduate student,” she said. “This gift provides opportunities for folks who otherwise don’t have the luxury of getting a doctorate, when they have to manage food and shelter for themselves and their dependents. The reality is that higher education is every bit a class issue.”

Adams was a true mainstay on campus, holding various leadership roles from 1973 to her retirement in 2008. An academic at heart, Adams continued to teach part time for another seven years, until 2015. She died at the age of 82 on October 6, 2020, after a long battle with cancer.

Read more about Maurianne Adams’ life on the College of Education website.