July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
2025 Generosity Highlights
The 2025 Generosity Highlights demonstrate the tremendous impact of philanthropy on students, faculty, the university, and the community. Your support helps the university attract exceptional students and faculty, inspire innovative research, and bring the arts to the greater community. Together, we are amplifying the power of a UMass education to enrich the Commonwealth and beyond.
Scholarships
Awarded from endowments over the last 10 years
2025 Commitments
Giving by Purpose
Giving by Source
You’ve made an impact. Here’s how.
KEITH MARZULLO
Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Dean of the Manning College of Information and Computer Science
“Frankly, I was worried we lost this sense of camaraderie and togetherness due to COVID, but this building is uplifting. The students love it.”
ANNE MASSEY
Dean of the Isenberg School of Management
Thomas O’Brien Endowed Chair
“The freedom I feel to pursue projects like these that I know benefit our whole community is a direct result of the Thomas O’Brien Endowed Chair’s Fund. I’m so grateful to be in a position to pursue impactful programs that enrich our school and university.”
SANJAY RAMAN
Dean of the Daniel J. Riccio Jr. College of Engineering
“Every dollar has an impact. Together, through every gift, the college’s community of philanthropists empowers students, advances research, and shapes a better world for generations to come.”
JOSEPH CASTILLO ‘23, ‘28 M.Ed
Graduate Student in the College of Education
Meline Kasparian Scholarship Recipient
“As a person of science with a heart for social justice, I want to critically examine my own teaching practices in order to make science fields more accessible and engaging for students, especially those coming from underrepresented and underprivileged backgrounds.”
KEIRA COOK ‘26
Legal Studies, Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration
Member of Commonwealth Honors College
Coleman Family Fund Scholarship recipient
“I really like to work with the community. I like to work with people, and I like to give back. These scholarships have given me the opportunity to do so.”
JAMILLA DERIA speaking of the Angel Ticket Program
Director of the Fine Arts Center
Through the Angel Ticket Program, the Fine Arts Center makes a simple but powerful promise—that no one will ever be turned away from the arts because of cost. Every Angel Ticket is a door opened, an experience shared, and a reminder that creativity thrives when everyone is invited in.
What does that fund do?
We know some of you don’t live in the fundraising world like we do, so we’ve broken down the facts for you in quick, digestible nuggets of philanthropic inspiration.
Angel Ticket Program
Founded by former Fine Arts Center Director of Programming Joyce Smar and her husband, Professor Benedict Smar, the Angel Ticket Program provides complimentary tickets to clients of human service agencies in Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties, bringing the experience of live performances to people who may otherwise not be able to access them.
Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Dean
The Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Dean supports the dean in advancing the mission and goals of the Robert and Donna Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences, including the college’s sustainability efforts.
Dean Thomas O’Brien Endowed Chair
The Dean Thomas O’Brien Endowed Chair was established to augment the dean’s overall compensation and be used to fund selected priorities at the dean’s discretion.
Riccio Deanship
The Riccio Deanship supports the dean in advancing the mission and goals of the Riccio College of Engineering, including faculty retention and recruitment efforts such as the naming of the Riccio Dean’s Faculty Fellows.
Meline Kasparian Endowed Scholarships Fund
Established by the Massachusetts Teachers Association in memory of former president Meline Kasparian ’73 MA, the Meline Kasparian Endowed Scholarships Fund supports students who exhibit a desire to become public school teachers and provides financial support for them to complete their program study in one of the College of Education’s professional preparation programs.
Coleman Family Fund Scholarship
The Coleman Family Fund Scholarship supports financial aid, internships, student research, and other costs for legal studies students.