UMass formally installs Lombardi
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KEVIN GUTTING University of Massachusetts Chancellor John V. Lombardi delivers his inaugural address Friday at the Mullins Center.
By CHERYL B. WILSON, Staff Writer
Saturday, February 8, 2003 -- AMHERST - Snow may have kept the crowds down, but it failed to put a damper on the enthusiasm, optimism and determination manifested at the inauguration Friday of John V. Lombardi as chancellor of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Lombardi promised to lead the flagship state university into better times by embracing the academic imperative, which was the theme of his two-day inaugural celebration.
"Whatever choices we make, we never stray far from the academic imperative, the fundamental values of the university: teaching and research," Lombardi said. "This is what we do, this is the center of our existence, and this is what describes our mission."
Approximately 2,000 people attended the colorful ceremony in the Mullins Center where the stage was decorated with dramatic flower arrangements of orchids, roses and carnations from Thursday's gala inaugural dinner. The long procession included faculty and administrators along with 125 delegates from around the country, several of them college and university presidents, all attired in academic regalia including hoods in crimson, orange, blues and yellows. UMass trustees wore maroon robes with a white sash.
Walter Chesnut, well-known emeritus music professor, seated on the stage, played the University Fanfare on a long trumpet. The UMass Amherst Wind Ensemble provided music for the processional and the UMass-Amherst Choirs led the audience in singing "Alma Mater."
UMass President William M. Bulger and Trustee Chairwoman Grace K. Fey conducted the inauguration ceremony by pinning on Lombardi the Chancellor's Medallion, a large pewter depiction of the university seal on a chain of handcrafted silver disks, each engraved with the name of a president or chancellor. Lombardi's name is the 27th link.
Lombardi delivered his inaugural address with his customary verve and rapid-fire manner.
The Lombardi mantra since his arrival on campus in July has been money matters, performance counts and time is the enemy.
Lombardi warned that the coming years may not be easy, but by working together as a campus, faculty, staff, students, alumni and other friends can succeed.
"The engine of university success is simple to describe, if difficult to achieve: more money spent well," Lombardi said. "We must earn the money to gain the chance to spend it well."
However, he reminded the faculty that sustained performance is what attracts money. "Performance requires constant improvement measured by our own and national competitors' achievements. We are an investment opportunity, not a charity. Money matters and performance counts are phrases that reflect the essential relationship between resources and achievement that chacterize all first rank American research universities."
At several junctures in his speech, Lombardi praised the faculty for their excellence and recognized their frustration with ranks depleted by early retirements and budget cuts and salaries lagging behind other institutions.
Outside, 60 to 75 members of campus unions held signs demanding funding for contracts that were vetoed last summer by then acting Gov. Jane Swift. Wearing red rain ponchos, they formed a double line at the entrance to the Mullins Center, but were respectful to inauguration attendees.
"We fund our faculty and staff salaries today, so we can remain competitive in the faculty marketplace tomorrow," Lombardi said to great applause.
Representatives of the faculty, staff, students and alumni spoke during the ceremony. Student Government Association President David Carr said, "He's giving students back something hard to find - hope."
Music professor Ernest May, secretary of the Faculty Senate, drew a laugh, saying Lombardi is leading the campus in the "search for truth, beauty and a new life as well as external funding."
Dignitaries speaking at the colorful inaugural ceremony, praised Lombardi's intellect as well as his administrative skills.
"He is brash, brilliant, industrious and straight-talking, a scholar and teacher," said John Ryan, emeritus president of Indiana University, where Lombardi first taught history and was a dean. "I have found John Lombardi to be the most honest, the most unpretentious and the most effective academic administrator I have known," Ryan added.
Venezuelan scholar and ambassador German Carrera Damas, another long-time Lombardi friend, said the new UMass chancellor is well-known in Venezuela for his research on the abolition of slavery in the South American country. Carrera Damas said Lombardi is a dedicated scholar who could only be diverted from research by his interest in car mechanics. Carrera Damas added that "speech is his secret weapon."
Bulger spoke about Lombardi's dedication to teaching and researach.
"In recent months, I've come to recognize John Lombardi as a man of enormous integrity whose energy and work ethic know no bounds. It is not because of his disarming charm and ready wit - although he has great charm and wit - but because he maintains a razorlike focus on the task of maintaining and improving the university in the critical areas of teaching and research," Bulger said. "He sees solutions rather than problems, success rather than failure, excellence rather than mediocrity.
Lombardi concluded his inaugural address saying, "This place has the people and the talent necessary for its success. The only question is our will to succeed, our commitment to the process, and our determination to remain nationally competitive....
"We fight for the future of this classic university ... for the future of UMass-Amherst's academic imperative knowing that our performance will command the resources we need in time for our future."