Dr. Jack Wilson is the 25th President of the University of Massachusetts system, serving since September 2, 2003.  He is a former Professor of Physics, Department Chair, Research Center Director, Dean, Vice President, Provost, and a private sector entrepreneur who founded the ILinc Corporation.  He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and has received many awards for his work in technology in education, higher education policy, and technology driven economic development.

During Dr. Wilson's term, the University has grown in many ways.   By the end of 2009,

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  enrollment has increased on all campuses, 

  
  


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  the number of student applications is up,

  
  


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  student SAT scores are up as are other measures of student preparation,

  
  


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  research has more than doubled,

  
  


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  we obtained four of the major National Science Foundation ERC or MSP programs (our first),

  
  


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  the endowment has tripled from $140 million to $420 million at the end of 2009 , 

  
  


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  fee increases have been held to under the cost of living,

  
  


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  financial aid internal allocation increased over 7 times, and

  
  


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  the University has made great strides in hiring new faculty members. 

  
  


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  In 2006, Craig Mello, a Professor at the UMass Medical School won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine, and thereby demonstrated just how outstanding the faculty and research are at the University. 

  
  


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  Extensive global programs have been launched with China, Germany, South Africa, India, Portuguese speaking countries, and many others.

  
  

Dr. Wilson took office following two years of serious state budget cuts that had reduced the state appropriation by approximately $150 million, and at a time when the relationships to the Governor and Legislature were in need of attention.  In the face of these serious challenges, the University embarked upon a program to close the budget gap, rebuild our finances, increase financial aid to students, grow research, build endowment,  increase our support from the business community, and enhance our global opportunities for students and faculty.  In order to emphasize the critical role that the University plays in the Commonwealth, he would often assert that:

"The path to economic and social development in Massachusetts goes through the University of Massachusetts."

Bid on the chance for a complimentary lunch for four at the University of Massachusetts Club in Boston with UMass president Jack Wilson.

Expires 1/31/2011.