More than 130 Companies Recognized for Fueling Research, Student Success and Economic Growth
Image by Ed Brennen
10/02/2024
By Ed Brennen
Industry partnerships are in UMass Lowell’s DNA. The strands stretch back almost 130 years, when the Lowell Textile School was founded to train people to work in textile manufacturing.
The university continues to grow and evolve; UML is spearheading the development of the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC) project on East Campus and is on the cusp of becoming a Research 1 institution (the highest level of recognition for research activity). And its corporate connections are as important as ever.
At the recent “Celebration of Industry Partnerships” at University Crossing, UML recognized more than 130 organizations that are engaged at the university's highest levels in research and innovation, talent acquisition, workforce development, branding and visibility and philanthropy.
“You have been amazing partners, and we want to continue working with you. We want to make sure that this is a mutually beneficial partnership,” said Chancellor Julie Chen, who recognized RTX and Draper Laboratory as UML’s Premier Partners for 2024-25 — companies with an annual investment of $350,000 or more in the university.
Draper, a nonprofit government contractor based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is also an anchor tenant for LINC, the public-private partnership that is expected to generate over $3.7 billion in economic activity and create 2,000 permanent jobs and 500 units of new housing in Lowell over the next decade.
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“UMass Lowell has been an incredible family to meet and get to know,” said Assoc. Director of Tailored Microelectronic Systems Colleen Anderson, who is leading Draper’s expansion into Lowell. “There is so much innovation and research taking place here, and we’re excited to play a part in helping to ensure that the university and its ideas are positioned to have an impact on a range of national security missions.”
Provost Joe Hartman thanked industry partners for the “breadth and depth” of their commitment to the university — including $6 million in donations and philanthropic support last year.
As the university approaches $120 million in annual research expenditures, Hartman noted that one-third of those dollars come from industry — more than five times the national average. According to a recent report by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, 6% of R&D expenditures at U.S. universities came from businesses in FY2022.
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Greg Denon, associate dean for career services and cooperative education, noted that industry partners provide UML students with invaluable “guidance, mentoring and coaching” through internships and co-ops.
“Our students use those roles to clarify their career interests, build out skills specific to an occupation and then set themselves up for postgraduate success,” he said.
One such student, senior electrical engineering major Fidel Castro, spoke about his current hardware engineering internship at Teradyne, a test and automation company based in North Reading, Massachusetts.
“My internship experience has shown me how the theoretical concepts we learn in the classroom are applied to large-scale solutions in the real world,” said Castro, who is minoring in business. “I have gained hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology, collaborating with professionals who value my input when solving complex engineering problems.”
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Brian Wadell, a microwave systems engineer at Teradyne, said the company looks forward to growing its relationship with UML, particularly with its Printed Electronics Research Collaborative (PERC).
“The industry is growing like crazy and the problems are getting harder, so we want students who are smart and ready,” he said.
UML’s other Select Partners are Amazon, Analog Devices, BAE Systems, DCU, Enterprise Bank, Intel Corporation, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, MKS Instruments, Pfizer and UKG.
Senior Director of Corporate Engagement Kerry Pucillo acknowledged the university’s 24 Advantage Partners (annual investment of $75,000 or more) and 100-plus Partners (annual investment of $25,000 or more).
Allison Burns, senior vice president for community relations at Enterprise Bank, said it’s the people, above all, who make the partnership with UML so valuable.
“It’s just a fabulous community, and we’re glad to help support it and be a part of it,” she said.