Photo courtesy Henry Marte

(UMass President Marty Meehan will be our special guest on the Monday, February 23 edition of The Daily Pulse podcast)

LOWELL – UMass Lowell announced today that University Crossing will be renamed the Martin T. Meehan Student Center in recognition of Meehan’s new charitable commitment of $1.5 million, as well as in appreciation of previous gifts raised during his tenure as UMass Lowell chancellor and president of the University of Massachusetts system.

The funds, from Meehan’s charitable foundation he launched while still a member of Congress, will support internships and career connected experiences for students in the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Over the years, President Meehan has given more than $3.7 million across the UMass system. In addition, during his inauguration events as chancellor and president, more than $2.6 million was raised in his honor for the university, bringing the total gifts to the system to approximately $6.3 million.

At Chancellor Julie Chen’s request, the UMass Board of Trustees this past fall approved the renaming of the iconic building at 220 Pawtucket St. in Lowell’s Acre neighborhood. It will be rededicated in May during a celebration ceremony and opening of a new exhibit highlighting President Meehan’s career in public service, which he says was made possible by his UMass Lowell education.

“President Meehan embodies the transformative power of public education, and this extremely generous gift to his alma mater will enable generations of future students to follow in his footsteps by gaining valuable career experience while earning their degree. These new opportunities will benefit their lives and future career success,” Chancellor Chen said. “We are very grateful for President Meehan’s commitment to the university, his love for his hometown of Lowell and his dedication to public service.”

Last fall UMass Lowell launched a new $250 million fundraising and engagement campaign “Designing the Future: The Campaign for UMass Lowell” to usher in the university’s next era in preparing students for fulfilling lives and careers. The campaign aims to elevate the university’s place as a Carnegie Research 1 (R1) designated university while building partnerships with business and industry that fuel the Massachusetts and New England economy. It deepens the university’s commitment to help students graduate with good jobs and bright futures. Already, the effort has secured nearly $175 million in commitments.

President Meehan believes the University of Massachusetts is “the most important institution in Massachusetts in the critical areas of social mobility and economic growth.” The first UMass alumnus to become president of the university system, he knows first-hand the transformative power of higher education. He served as UMass Lowell chancellor from 2007 until 2015 when he became president of the five-campus system. Prior to that he represented the 5th Congressional District of Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2007.

Photo courtesy Henry Marte

“I was one of these students walking across the UMass Lowell campus, and when I graduated I had so many opportunities because of the education I received here. Every young person has potential and deserves a chance to realize that potential,” President Meehan said. “My goal in making this charitable commitment is to give more young people the chance to realize their full potential both academically and professionally.”

While in Congress, President Meehan created the Martin T. Meehan Educational and Charitable Foundation immediately after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to help victims’ families with financial assistance and scholarships. Since then, he and his wife Jennifer Meehan have worked to broaden the foundation’s mission to support other local educational initiatives and charitable organizations with the goal of increasing access to higher education.

“President Meehan’s generosity sets the gold standard for all of our alumni about the importance of giving back,” said UMass Board of Trustees Chair Stephen Karam. “He used his UMass education as a launchpad to a remarkable career defined by public service. His long history of giving to UMass Lowell is inspiring and makes the Board of Trustees proud of have his continued leadership of the university.”

John Feudo, vice chancellor for university advancement and global engagement at UMass Lowell, couldn’t agree more.

“First and foremost, Marty Meehan is a product of Lowell and UMass Lowell,” Feudo said. His hard work and determination throughout his life have made him the leader he is today—a leader in the business of higher education as well as a leader in society.”

UMass Lowell student Trustee Abigail Cooper said Meehan’s influence is also felt among today’s students.

“In working with President Meehan as a member of the UMass Board of Trustees, I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand his passion for working on behalf of all UMass students, especially those at his alma mater, UMass Lowell,” said Cooper. “He proudly connects his own experience growing up and being educated in Lowell with the work he does on behalf of students today.  We could have no better advocate.”

As one of seven children born in a working-class neighborhood of Lowell, Meehan credits his parents with instilling the value of education that still motivates him today to provide opportunities for all young people.

After earning an undergraduate degree in education and political science from what was then the University of Lowell in 1978, President Meehan went on to earn a master’s degree in public administration and a juris doctor from Suffolk University. He has spent his entire career in public service. Under Meehan’s leadership, UMass Lowell experienced record gains in enrollment, student retention, research and scholarship funding, and the campus underwent a dramatic physical transformation, opening 10 new buildings in a five-year period, including University Crossing.

Prior to the opening of the central building, student services were spread across the Lowell campus with the bookstore, student health offices, financial aid, counseling and student activities in multiple locations. Meehan envisioned a reconfigured campus and spurred efforts to purchase the former St. Joseph’s Hospital site while working with state transportation officials to ensure a newly constructed bridge would connect North Campus to downtown Lowell. The 230,000 square-foot student center built on the former St. Joseph’s Hospital site tied the Lowell campus together and has become a hub of student life.

A dedication ceremony for The Martin T. Meehan Student Center will be held Saturday, May 2, 2026, at UMass Lowell.

(Link to more information on the dedication ceremony, along with the philanthropy and impact of President Meehan on UMass Lowell)