Comprehensive campaign for UMass Chan Medical School nears $200 million mark
Pathways of Promise achieves tremendous support in FY2017
During his annual Convocation address in September 2016, Chancellor Michael F. Collins announced the public phase of a $250 million comprehensive campaign—Pathways of Promise—to support UMass Chan Medical School’s ongoing pursuit of excellence and to shape advances in biomedical research, education, and community and global engagement well into the 21st century. At that time, the campaign, which began with a quiet phase in July 2012, had already exceeded $150 million in gifts and pledges from individuals, corporations and foundations. By the end of June 2017, that total jumped to more than $190 million.
“The Pathways of Promise campaign represents a defining moment for UMass Chan Medical School,” said Chancellor Collins. “This campaign is building upon the singular atmosphere at our health sciences university and allowing us to partner with those who are inspired to demonstrate their confidence in our medical school through their generosity. We are challenged to imagine our promise and what we can accomplish together.”
“The great power of philanthropic giving is the transformative impact that can be achieved and the opportunities that can be afforded to many, thanks to the generosity of others,” said UMass President Martin T. Meehan. “I have great faith that the faculty, students and leaders of our world-class medical school will reach new heights through this campaign, which will benefit our commonwealth and the world.”
Highlights of the campaign* include:
- The establishment of 18 new endowed chairs since 2012, allowing some of the school’s most renowned faculty members to pursue innovative and trailblazing research.
- A $7.5 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, enabling UMass Chan Medical School to rapidly respond to the Ebola crisis in Liberia.
- A $1 million gift from grateful alumna Diane Riccio, PhD’03, and her husband, Dan Riccio, to the UMass ALS Cellucci Fund, which represents the largest alumni donation ever to the Medical School. Alumni and parents have contributed nearly $2.5 million to UMMS for a variety of campaign initiatives.
- A $4.6 million contribution from the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation for the buildout of research space within the Albert Sherman Center.
- A $2 million donation from Horae Oriental of the People’s Republic of China to name the Horae Gene Therapy Center at UMass Chan Medical School.
Pathways of Promise is the largest fundraising effort since the Medical School was founded in 1962 and represents an unprecedented opportunity for supporters, private-sector partners and granting organizations to celebrate and strengthen the school’s ability to fulfill its mission of advancing the health and well-being of the people of the commonwealth and the world.
The campaign theme, Pathways of Promise, represents the many pathways of impact and influence that the members of UMass Chan Medical School follow—and forge—with their work at the institution and beyond. UMass Chan Medical School researchers, physicians, students and staff share a common thread: the promise that their highest potential can be achieved in this uniquely collaborative and committed community. Gifts to the campaign will allow an even greater number of pathways—both deliberate and serendipitous—to be revealed.
More information about Pathways of Promise is available online: www.umassmed.edu/campaign.