Going to Amrheins Restaurant in South Boston feels like a time warp into the city’s past. Going to Amrheins with a passionate guy like Robert Haynes, ’81, ’86,  and the Commonwealth’s history really comes alive, especially its labor history.

I cherished this chance to do both a few weeks ago, when I met Bob, the recently retired president of the MA AFL-CIO, so that we could add him to the university’s Alumni Achievements page.

Happily our meeting was a “two-for.” He’s a remarkable example of the impact of public higher education (he graduated from both Boston State College and UMass Boston) and he is a generous donor to the university through the Robert and Marybeth Haynes Endowed Fund. The fund, which supports our Labor Studies program, is one recipient from the proceeds of retirement event for Haynes last December.

Haynes told me, “Boston State and UMass Boston gave me the education and credentials to advance, and the labor movement gave me the soul to lead.”

I hope you’ll read more.

Support  the Haynes Fund >>

Nan Cormier is director of advancement communications

www.umb.edu/giving