Barack Obama attends UMass event. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama flew into Boston from Alabama (where he attended an anniversary march to commemorate the 1965 Civil Rights march in Selma) and met with UMass President Jack Wilson at the University of Massachusetts Club on the 33rd floor of the skyscraper on 225 Franklin St. With some discretion, Obama arrived in the Bay State on Monday, March 5 to attend two fundraising events. The UMass Club function was the first fundraiser for Obama, and was put on by Alan Solomont, a wealthy businessman and UMass Lowell alumnus. The second fundraising event for Obama was held in a private residence somewhere in Cambridge.
UMass Boston Professor speaks before Congress. Arthur Eisenkraft, the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Distinguished Professor of Science Education, testified before the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Science Education in favor of improving America’s high school science laboratories so that all science students can learn through similar hands-on experiences in science education. The subcommittee’s hearing was titled “Improving the Laboratory Experience for America’s High School Students,” and they listened to Eisenkraft’s testimony regarding H.R. 524: To Establish a Laboratory Science Pilot Program at the National Science Foundation. Eisenkraft recently served on the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, andt is the head of Center of Science and Math in Context (COSMIC).
Fortune magazine apologizes and removes list of 50 best business schools from website. UMass Boston had ranked number 47 on Fortune’s list of the best business school’s to go to for getting hired after graduation. After Fortune was alerted to possible errors in methodology they immediately removed the list from their website and offered an apology. The list was provided by an outside vendor, Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd. Two schools were erroneously omitted. UNC-Chapel Hill was left of due to a mix up between them and NC State. Boston University was also mistakenly omitted.
UMass Boston will honor Dorchester neighborhood activist and Mt. Washington Bank CEO for achievements in community work. Dorchester native Phillip Carver, president of Pope’s Hill Neighborhood Association, and Edward J. Merritt, president and CEO of South Boston-based Mt. Washington Bank, will be awarded for their achievements in community service. Chancellor Michael Collins and Robert Quinn will present the Robert H. Quinn Community Service Award to Carver, as well as Special award for Longstanding Community Commitment and Service to Merritt. The award ceremony will be held on Tuesday, March 13, at 8:30 a.m. in the Campus Center’s 3rd floor ballroom.