UMass Lowell Raises Curtain on Performing Arts Center, Celebrates Alumni

10/30/2024

UMass Lowell leaders, faculty, students, alumni and friends gathered Thursday to rededicate the home of the university’s music department amid a celebration of distinguished alumni.

Now known as the Jacqueline F. Moloney Performing Arts Center, the refashioned Durgin Hall on the university’s South Campus boasts upgrades to its main concert hall including new, energy-efficient LED stage and house lighting, a state-of-the-art sound system and improved seating for 900 audience members. The academic hall also includes a smaller recital venue, classrooms, private and ensemble music rehearsal spaces, recording studios and a music technology laboratory for UMass Lowell music students and K-12 students who participate in community music programs offered by the university. 

The upgrades were made possible through a $2 million gift from Lowell philanthropist Nancy Donahue. The rededication of the building to honor UMass Lowell alumna and Chancellor Emerita Jacqueline Moloney ’75, ’92 was approved by the UMass system’s Board of Trustees earlier this year.

“It’s only fitting that this performing arts center, which has become such a focal point for the university and the community, be dedicated in Chancellor Emerita Jacquie Moloney’s name. Jacquie’s commitment to the arts and humanities during her tenure as chancellor was inspirational, and countless performers, composers and technicians have honed their talents in this building,” UMass President Marty Meehan said. “I can think of no better way to honor her and her longstanding service to the university and the Greater Lowell community.”

The celebration included an array of performances by students involved in UMass Lowell’s chamber singers, wind ensemble and marching band, as well as by music faculty members. 

“This vibrant performing arts center is a fitting home to UMass Lowell’s nationally acclaimed music programs, showcasing their breadth and reach while ushering in a new era of increased community engagement,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen.

Along with honoring Moloney, the university recognized 12 additional outstanding graduates with annual Alumni Awards during the event. Each of nine honorees graduated from one of UMass Lowell’s schools and colleges, while an additional three outstanding young alumni were recognized for the impact they have made in service to the university, the community or in their profession. The award recipients were:

• Nora Batson’95, ’00, a Boston native and honoree of the School of Criminology and Justice Studies, chief of the bureau of professional development of the Boston Police Department 
• Cynthia Conde ’87, ’91, of New Castle, New Hampshire, an honoree of the Francis College of Engineering, co-founder and board member of New Hampshire Life Sciences, which aims to grow the life sciences sector in the Granite State 
• Samuel Curry ’96, of North Andover, an honoree of the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, vice president and chief information security officer of cybersecurity company Zscaler 
• Jill Drury ’96, ’02, of Manchester, New Hampshire, an honoree of the Miner School of Computer and Information Sciences, a retired researcher and former department head at MITRE Corporation
• Bob Giles ’79, ’86, of Upton, Massachusetts, an honoree of the Kennedy College of Sciences, a Professor Emeritus and Distinguished University Professor of UMass Lowell
• Jerome ’87 and Michele ’87 Holland of Londonderry, New Hampshire, honorees of the Zuckerberg College of Heath Sciences, who are physical therapists and co-owners of Performance Rehab, Inc., an outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine physical therapy practice 
• Martha Mayo ’92, of Lowell, Massachusetts, an honoree of the School of Education, a retired director of the Center for Lowell History, which is part of the UMass Lowell Libraries 
• Douglas Reader ’83 of Flower Mound, Texas, an honoree of the Manning School of Business, senior managing director at Kainos Capital
• Kevin Whitney ’96 of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, an honoree of the Solomont School of Nursing, chief operating officer of Mass General Brigham Homecare

Young Alumni Awards were presented to the following individuals:

• Bradley Buitenhuys ’14, of Bristol, New Hampshire, for service to the community. He is executive director of Lowell Litter Krewe, a nonprofit organization that leads volunteer beautification projects across the city. Buitenhuys also owns and operates Dutch Property Management, a property and construction management firm.
• Shruti Jain-Lynch ’20, of Westford, Massachusetts, for pursuit of innovation and success. She is a product manager at Dell Technologies with a background in product management, software engineering, teaching and research.
• Patrick Kiley ’18 of Groton, Massachusetts, for service to the university. He is director of emergency management at the Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals, where he coordinates region-wide hospital preparedness and incident management efforts. 

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