Recent Graduate to be Sworn in as Mayor of Gardner

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Michael Nicholson, a 2016 Commonwealth Honors College graduate, will be inaugurated as the mayor of Gardner, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, July 14. The inauguration will take place at 5 p.m. on the front lawn of Gardner City Hall at 95 Pleasant Street.

Nicholson earned a dual undergraduate degree in political science and history from Commonwealth Honors College and completed the School of Public Policy’s accelerated master of public policy program in 2017. As an undergraduate senior, he was honored during the Department of Higher Education’s “29 Who Shine” ceremony saluting campus graduates for their civic and academic achievements.

During his time at UMass, Nicholson participated in many civic activities, including an internship and mayoral aide position with former Gardner city mayor Mark Hawke. Michael also organized fundraisers for Forward in Health in Haiti and volunteered on mission trips in the Caribbean.

A drum major in the UMass Minuteman marching band, Nicholson was also a member of the history honors society, a peer mentor, and participated in the Honors College Emerging Scholars Program. As an undergraduate, he co-authored the article “The Downsides of Prop. 2 1/2 and the Community Preservation Act”with attorney Lawrence DiCara. Nicholson also earned certificates in international relations and public policy and administration.