AMHERST — Already a campus where new industry is fostered, startup companies are incubated and scientific breakthroughs are made, University of Massachusetts Chancellor Javier Reyes is aiming to enhance further economic development by harnessing the flagship’s expertise, talent and innovation.
“We are an engine of economic development of Massachusetts, therefore we have to think of how to engage that economic development,” Reyes said during the keynote address at Tuesday morning’s 58th annual Community Breakfast, held at the Student Union Ballroom.
Speaking before local community, business and campus leaders, Reyes said that UMass has a responsibility to serve as a catalyst for job creation, entrepreneurship and community revitalization, as well as workforce and small business development that will benefit local communities, the region and the state.
Pointing to Myrias Optics, which is developing next-generation photonic and optical technologies that have the potential to transform communications and sensing, and Elateq, now based in Northampton, as it advances cleaner, greener water purification technologies, Reyes anticipates convening an executive committee of senior campus leadership this academic year to undertake the initiative and “find a way to have that impact to attract and develop new talent at UMass.”
“Embracing this responsibility creates important opportunities for programming, analysis and collaboration that can foster more inclusive, resilient and innovation-driven growth across the commonwealth,” Reyes said.
UMass generates an estimated $2.9 billion in economic activity, and this project, an offshoot of the university’s 10-year strategic plan, will continue his mantra of “more of UMass in the community, and more community in UMass.”
Reyes said he wants to be a partner with existing organizations and have dialogues through “round tables” similar to those in the room.
“This is not about duplicating or stepping on anyone’s toes, it’s more about expansion than getting into a place that’s not our place,” Reyes said.
The latest project follows from last year’s announcement of UMass Downtown, which has hosted 36 events with 486 attendees, and drawn 5,600 visitors since opening in the spring, and other community endeavors, like Cold Spring Orchard in Belchertown, the Henry M. Thomas III Center in Springfield and the W.E.B. DuBois Boyhood Homesite in Great Barrington.
With turbulent times, a shifting federal landscape and changing attitudes toward higher education, Reyes said UMass remains committed to its mission. “We know we’re here in service to the common good,” Reyes said.
That service is exemplified by Marcos Genao Sanchez, a pre-veterinary science major at UMass who was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Lynn when he was 5, eventually settling with his family in Chicopee.
On campus, Sanchez helped found Lambda Sigma Upsilon, the first Latino fraternity at UMass. That offers space that celebrates culture, teaches brotherhood through service and makes mentorship the rule, rather than the exception.
Since coming to UMass, the fraternity has awarded scholarships, partnered with Crocker Farm School in Amherst on science, technology, engineering and math opportunities, worked with Amherst Recreation on an Easter egg hunt, planted flower beds in Holyoke and is planning a trip to Puerto Rico in January that will support the Boys and Girls Club on the island.
Sanchez encouraged those at the breakfast to be partners. “Whatever role you play… you are the bridge between UMass and the world beyond it,” Sanchez said.
Those in attendance included state Sens. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and Jacob Oliveira, D-Ludlow, state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, Smith College President Sarah Willie-LeBreton, Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan and municipal officials from Amherst, Belchertown, Hadley, Leverett, Shutesbury, South Hadley and Sunderland.
Heidi Flanders, president of the chamber, said that the chamber wants to improve its website, amherstarea.com, and reintroduce its brand, as it added 42 members last year, including Amherst Oyster Bar, Floral Affairs 2 and Masuda’s Cafe in town center, a Herrell’s ice cream in North Amherst’s Mill District and Skinny Pancake in Hadley.
“When we build business, we strengthen community,” Flanders said.
The emcee duties were shared by Jacob Robinson, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, and Tony Maroulis, executive director for Community and Strategic Initiatives at UMass.
In the theme of partnerships, Robinson cited the importance of the creation of UMass Downtown and how the university has a stake in the success of the business community. “When we work together… the Amherst area benefits,” Robinson said.
Maroulis and Robinson observed that the town and UMass have been aligning calendars, partnering on projects like free business consulting, summer networking night for students and career services for employers, and planning for the return of the Adventure into Amherst for students and the annual Block Party.
The breakfast began with a video tribute for the Fine Arts Center, marking its 50th year, with the world premiere of Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by Wynton Marsalis, taking place on Sept. 17, and concluded with a performance by the Minuteman Marching Band, joined by members of the UMass cheer squad, who also greeted arriving guests.
While Maroulis and Robinson both made quips and jokes to attendees, with Robinson saying the Merry Maple ceremony in December is “going to be lit,” there was only limited laughter in the room each time.
The muted reactions prompted Reyes to comment that UMass Dining, which caters the breakfast, again earned the best campus food ranking from Princeton Review, but maybe doesn’t fare as well with its java in perking people up.
“UMass Dining is number one, but I don’t know about the coffee,” Reyes said.
