From Groundbreaking Research to National Accolades, It Was an Eventful Year

2023 year in review photo montage

12/22/2023
By Jill Gambon

To paraphrase the comedian Steven Wright, when we think about the past year, it brings back so many memories. 
Here at UMass Lowell, 2023 was a year of progress and change, of accomplishments both individual and collective. It was a year in which the university asserted its leadership on  many fronts — academics, research, athletics, student success and community engagement, to name a few. As we close out the year, here’s a look back at some of the highlights and shared memories of 2023. 

LEADING THE WAY

Graduate at Commencement with Mortar Board that says, we're #1

No. 1 Public in Massachusetts

This year, The Wall Street Journal affirmed what many of us have known for a long time: UMass Lowell is the place to be. In its 2024 Best Colleges in the United States ranking, the Journal named UMass Lowell the No. 1 public school in Massachusetts. Released in September, the rankings were based on student outcomes, learning environment and diversity, with UMass Lowell coming in at No. 10 among all Massachusetts schools and No. 53 among national public universities.
Two women clap while wearing academic regalia and sitting on a stage Image by Tory Wesnofske

At the Top

Chancellor Julie Chen settled into her role as campus leader this year, with the university celebrating her inauguration in April. She announced that the university will guarantee all students paid career-connected experiences during their college careers. In defining her vision for the future of the university, Chen unveiled the university’s 2028 strategic plan. Developed with input from across the university community, the plan will guide the development and growth of the campus for the next several years.
Student looks as other student on phone Image by Henry Marte

Committed to Diversity

The university’s work fostering an inclusive campus community earned a 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.  It was the fourth time UML received the honor, which salutes colleges and universities from across North America for their commitment to creating a welcoming environment and leadership culture for students and employees of all backgrounds.
Three men talk to a woman standing in front of a UMass Lowell standing banner Image by Ed Brennen

Corporate Collaborations

Longstanding partnerships with industry have created opportunities for economic development and hands-on learning for students. In November, the university recognized nearly three dozen of its top corporate collaborators at the Celebration of Industry Partnerships. At the event, Chen noted that the work experiences “help students understand why they're learning what they're learning and where they want to go. And there's nothing better than a motivated student who understands where they want to go.”

STUDENTS EXCEL ON & OFF CAMPUS

Tawakkol Karman raises her diploma over her head

Graduating Success

Students continued to excel in the classroom, in research labs, in athletics and in their extracurricular pursuits. In May, UML celebrated its largest graduating class – more than 4,700 strong. Among the graduates were eight families who had multiple members earning UML degrees, and a Nobel Prize winner, Yemeni journalist Tawakkol Karman, who earned a master’s degree in security studies.
Flag Guy Image by UMass Lowell Athletics

Winning Ways

Student-athletes continued to build River Hawk pride. The men’s basketball team brought a touch of March madness to campus, with their best DI season and a perfect 17-0 home court record.  Their performance raised expectations and stirred excitement for another strong hoops season. This fall, the field hockey team posted a historic season and clinched its first America East title.
Students share stuffed animals with children

Giving Back

Throughout the year, students spent time giving back to the community, including tutoring local schoolchildren, providing health care screenings to older residents and collecting donations for teens in foster care.
UML fraternity members Arseniy Ohorilko, left, and Rohan Solanki stand in front of the burned house and the melted vinyl on a house next door. Image by K. Webster

Cold Comfort

One group of students made headlines – and earned plaudits as heroes – when they sprang into action on a cold night in February to help save residents from a house fire near their off-campus apartment.

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE & FACULTY SUCCESS

The SPACE HAUC team adding finishing touches to the satellite Image by Edwin L. Aguirre

Out of this World

Faculty and student researchers continued breaking new ground in their respective disciplines, which advanced the university’s drive toward attaining Research 1 status, the highest level awarded by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Among the major awards this year was a $5.5. million grant to create a state-of-the-art aerospace research center known as the Massachusetts Alliance for Space Technology and Sciences, or MASTS, where scientists, industry leaders and startups can build and test miniature satellites and components essential to spaceflight.
Education student at Educators Rising

Fostering Education

Several initiatives supported the university’s goal of partnering with the community for mutual benefit.  Thanks to a state grant of nearly $400,000, faculty from the School of Education are partnering with Lawrence Public Schools to create pathways for high school students to earn bachelor’s degrees in education at UMass Lowell and ultimately work in classrooms in their community.
UMass Lowell's Ellen Wetmore

Faculty Extraordinaire

Faculty continued to distinguish themselves with national and international honors, including three who were named Fulbright Scholars: Assoc. Prof. Sheree Pagsuyoin (civil engineering), Prof. M. Berk Talay and Assoc. Prof. Spencer Ross (both marketing, entrepreneurship and innovation). Others, including English Prof. Sandra Lim (the Jackson Poetry Prize) and Prof. of Art and Design Ellen Wetmore (the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant) won prestigious awards in the arts and humanities.

FROM PICKLEBALL TO ENTRENEURSHIP, THE BONDS OF COMMUNITY

Two young men in T-shirts and caps pose for a photo in front of their food truck Image by Ed Brennen

Alumni Stars

Alumni returned to campus for homecoming, reunions and events like DifferenceMaker competitions, where many served as judges or mentors, and as recruiters during career fairs. A few alumni broadcast their culinary skills in reality television competitions, including math alum Emily Adey ’15, ’18, who was a contestant in Netflix’s “The Big Nailed It Baking Challenge,” and Matt Minichiello ’21 and Ryan Palmer ’20, who participated in the Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race.”
AACEE opening September 2022 Image by Ed Brennen

Asian American Excellence

The university received a $2.5 million grant to expand the work of its Asian American Center for Excellence and Engagement (AACEE), a project of the university’s Center for Asian American Studies, in collaboration with UMass Boston’s Institute for Asian American Studies. This builds on a $1.5 million 2021 grant the university won to launch AACEE, which supports UML’s Asian American student population with advocacy, career preparation and other programs.
Two women lunge to hit the ball while playing pickleball Image by Ed Brennen

Paddle On

The pickleball craze swept campus, with students, faculty, administrators and alumni grabbing their paddles and taking over the courts at the Campus Recreation Center for spirited Sunday morning games.
A man in a blue shirt poses for a photo with a woman as they both hold flowers Image by Ed Brennen

Sharing Beauty

To be sure, there were challenges and setbacks throughout the year, but members of the campus community navigated them with their characteristic grace and grit.
The accomplishments and the forward momentum of 2023 have set expectations high for the coming year. But if the past is a reliable predictor, 2024 will be another eventful one at UML. Stay tuned.

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