UMass Boston - Winter/Spring 2007-2008 - (Page 7)

Motley aims to strengthen UMass Boston as a “student-centered, urban public university of the new century,” and build an “ethic of care” into all aspects of campus life. regalia. He hardly needs a whistle now to command attention, though on that momentous November day he did need a microphone and dual video screens in order to be heard and seen in the farthest corners of the packed gymnasium. But his message was the same: students merit a profound commitment from those who would teach and lead them. In turn, students must understand that education is not just a way out but a way in: a college degree not only enhances one’s personal prospects but carries with it a responsibility to assume a more substantive role in the community and in the world. Motley’s inaugural festivities represented a homecoming of sorts, and it was hard to tell who was more eager to celebrate that fact, Motley himself or the enthusiastic crowd that welcomed him. Motley had served as interim chancellor in 2004-2005 and had sought to keep the post, but it was ultimately awarded to Michael Collins. When Collins left to become interim chancellor at UMass Medical School and the university system’s senior vice president for health sciences, Motley proved that there are in fact second acts in the lives of university chancellors. He has wasted no time in making his presence felt once again. “I want to see dirt flying everywhere on this campus,” he told a visitor in early December, “not just in the parking lots!” He was alluding to the master plan for UMass Boston’s infrastructure, which was due to be unveiled later that month. “It will be a 25year journey to transform this campus,” Motley said, “but it’s very front-loaded, so we will see a lot of improvements in the next five to ten years.” Motley’s vision for what UMass Boston will become extends well beyond the physical plant. “We are a very hot school right now,” he says. “We are on fire. The word is getting out about us, and every day more people are discovering us.” His goal is to channel that enthusiasm into strengthening UMass Boston as a “student-centered, urban public university of the new century,” serving local, national, and global constituencies as a “research university with a teaching soul.” High on his agenda, he says, is to “reposition our students to become not only workers, but leaders. My being here is a symbol of that.” Not that he was far away. Prior to being named chancellor in umass boston n

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of UMass Boston - Winter/Spring 2007-2008

UMass Boston - Winter/Spring 2007-2008 Contents U News Values and Vision, Bricks and Mortar An Inauguration to Remember An Expedition to Iceland An American Original Reciprocal Dedication About Alumni Alumni Calendar A Report on Private Giving Generous Friends

UMass Boston - Winter/Spring 2007-2008

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