UMass-Boston is about to get a famous “College Dropout” on campus for one electrifying spring night.
Hip-hop artist Kanye West is headlining this year’s inauguration for Chancellor Michael F. Collins and will play Wednesday, April 26th on the Campus Center Lawn for UMass students and their guests. Tickets will be $20 and go on sale Tuesday, April 11th at 8:30 am and will run for a limited time until they sold out.
The campus is hosting several star-studded events that week including a Nobel Prize winner, a former All-Pro New England Patriot and a staple in the office supply industry. With so much excitement set to hit campus, Ed Hayward, Associate Vice Chancellor for University Communications, is enthusiastic about the upcoming festivities.
“This week will be a rally for the university,” said Hayward. “The Chancellor is most excited about the opportunity to highlight the university and the great work that goes on here on a daily basis. It’s a chance for UMB students to say ‘Guess who came to my school?’ It will be an exciting experience for everyone and we’re looking forward to a great turnout.”
Roy J. Glauber, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2005 will take time away from Harvard University and discuss “A Survey of 100 Years of Light Quanta.” His contribution to the quantum theory won him the renowned award last year. Five-time Pro Bowler Andre Tippett will be joining the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Symposium on Friday to talk about “Heroes Who Heal: An Inspirational Personal Story of Achievement.” Tippett was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 1999 and had his jersey retired with the team. Business Majors will have a chance to hear from office supply king Tom Stemberg, who founded Staples, Inc. Stemberg served as CEO of Staples for sixteen years and then chairman for another three. He will describe the techniques behind creating a new industry.
“The school has certainly succeeded in bringing unique perspectives along with world class researchers,” said Hayward. “It will really show the level of spirit and commitment here on campus.”
“Inauguration Week” officially kicks off Monday, April 24th and will conclude Saturday with a faculty picnic and the gala fundraiser for student scholarships. The cause for celebration centers around Chancellor Michael F. Collins on Friday when he will be sworn in by President Jack Wilson.
The Assistant Dean of Students Joyce Morgan has nothing but excitement for the coming week and hopes students will make it to as many events as possible.
“The Chancellor really wants this to be a celebration for UMass Boston,” said Morgan. “Along with the Chancellor, students, faculty and staff have really been involved in making this week welcoming. Something like this builds a sense of community and recognizes the hard work put in by everyone on campus. They really pulled together an amazing schedule.”
Monday will include a talk from well-known activist and writer Winona LaDuke. The lecture will cover indigenous rights in North America and is co-sponsored by the Native American Student Society, the Human Rights Working Group and the Anthropology Club. Later in the afternoon, a meeting of the minds will occur in the Healey Library. UMB faculty will present and congratulate research done by fellow staff members from 4-6 pm.
Tuesday is filled with symposiums ranging from the College of Management to the 20th Century African American Literary Societies lecture. The talks are divided mostly in two-hour sessions throughout the day and take place in the Campus Center Ballroom.
The excitement for Wednesday will go into the night when West performs on the Campus Center Lawn at 7 pm. Classes will be canceled after 3 pm that day in preparation and limited access will be allowed at the Campus Center, according to campus officials.
Although most students will probably be coming to school a little late the next day, Thursday’s schedule of events will continue to include varied seminars for anyone interested. The College of Liberal Arts Symposium will include several Liberal Arts alumni who will discuss career successes and pathways. Later in the evening, the “Renaissance of Folk Music in Boston” will hit campus and panelists Dick Pleasants from WUMB, Scott Alarik from the Boston Globe and former Black Sheep Review editor Kari Estrin will review topics with attendees.
The festive week will wind down Friday with none other than the official installation of Michael F. Collins as Chancellor. The ceremony will take place at 3 pm in the Clark Athletic Center and classes after 12noon will be canceled to allow for the opportunity to observe the commencement-like ceremony, school officials said. Representatives from across the country and New England will come dressed in formal attire and witness Chancellor Collins crowned official head of UMass Boston and signify the beginning of a new era on campus.
The celebration ends Saturday after a faculty picnic and student fundraiser takes place. The 3rd annual Gala Fundraiser dinner will be held Saturday night at 8 pm. The ticketed event will include live music from Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul, as well as a silent auction.
The buzz for this spring’s “pep rally” will most likely begin the day tickets go on sale for West’s exclusive show and carry on through Saturday night’s fundraiser, reminding students of the advantages of not being college dropouts.