UMass Boston News Blog

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Barack Obama at UMass Boston

With the historic election this week of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama as the next president of the United States, some of the hallways on the campus of the University of Massachusetts Boston were abuzz recalling the president elect’s visit here in 2006.

At the June 2, 2006, UMass Boston Commencement, Sen. Obama received an honorary doctor of laws degree “for advancing and protecting the interests of the less fortunate, for adherence to a political credo that transcends both party and race, and for his thoughtful and farsighted contributions to the nation’s principal lawmaking body,” according to a press release at the time. Sen. Obama also gave the keynote address at the commencement, a video and transcript of which are available on the UMass Boston website.

Sen. Obama’s rise to the national stage took a dramatic step forward when he visited Boston in 2004 to deliver a stirring address at the Democratic National Convention. His visit to the UMass Boston campus two years later was equally memorable for the students, faculty, and staff who attended.

Run for a cause

If you’re a runner or if you’ve ever thought about running the Boston Marathon as a personal challenge, now’s the time to do it. GoKids Boston at the University of Massachusetts Boston is putting together a charity team of runners for the 2009 Boston Marathon. GoKids Boston has been recognized by the US Surgeon General for empowering kids to become healthy adults through movement, education, and technology. It also serves as a strength rehabilitation center for children with cancer, obesity, diabetes, asthma, and congenital heart disease.

The GoKids Boston Marathon team will have 20 runners charged with raising a minimum of $3,000 each for GoKids. Runners receive personalized coaching, optional weekly workouts, running products, transportation to race start, pasta pre-race dinner, incentive prizes, organized motivational and information meetings, and opportunity to challenge yourself as a participant in the marathon.

Joining a charity team is a great way to run the Boston Marathon, so if you’re interested, contact Susan Hurley at charityteams@comcast.net or call GoKids at 617-287-KIDS (5437).

Welcome!

Greetings, and welcome to the University of Massachusetts News Blog!

UMass Boston is on the move, pursuing strategic and master plans to improve the university’s operations and facilities, gaining a growing reputation for excellence, and experiencing increasing popularity among prospective students as a first choice for higher education. Our recent campus open house, for example, drew record attendance, up more than 10 percent over last year.

So much is happening at UMass Boston, and in this news blog we’ll try to capture the highlights of campus news and activities. We also look forward to hearing from you and about your thoughts and ideas.