Donors Gift Millions to Prepare UMass Lowell Students for Successful Careers

05/19/2023

Media contacts:Emily Gowdey-Backus, director of media relations and Nancy Cicco, assistant director of media relations

At her inauguration, Chancellor Julie Chen guaranteed that starting with this fall’s incoming first-year class, every undergraduate student will have the opportunity for at least one paid career-connected experience before they graduate.

And if a student’s internship or work experience is unpaid, UMass Lowell will provide the paycheck.

It was a message that resonated with the many individuals and corporations that donated $2.6 million to support Chancellor Chen’s initiatives in her first year at the university’s helm, including nearly 3,350 supporters who supported the Chancellor Julie Chen Fund for Student Success and other priority programs as part of the university’s sixth annual Days of Giving.

“No student will be left out because they can’t afford to work for free,” said Chen, who personally contributed $100,000 to the fund with her spouse, Susu Wong.

Vice Chancellor for Advancement John Feudo said the totals raised and the number of River Hawk supporters who donated to both the inauguration and Days of Giving were all new records.

“Each year, our River Hawk community uses Days of Giving to demonstrate just how committed they are to the success of our students,” said Feudo. 

“Our alumni and friends really do make a profound and permanent difference in their lives.”

UMass Lowell is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu