Page 9 - 2016octissue
P. 9
Recognition: Above
UMass Board of Victor Woolridge (left)
Victor Woolridge, a lifelong Springfield resident whose UMass education
Trustees propelled him to success as a business and civic leader and to the
Chairman Victor chairmanship of the UMass Board of Trustees,was honored by the Council for
Opportunity in Education for his accomplishments and for demonstrating
Woolridge the transformative power of higher education.
The Council for Opportunity in Education recognized Chairman Woolridge
and four others with its 2016 National TRIO Achievers award. The TRIO award
is named for the federal outreach and student services programs first
established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 and 1965 to help
individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds pursue and attain college
degrees. The award recognizes TRIO program graduates who have gone on
to make lasting contributions in their fields.
receives national “Victor Woolridge represents the University of Massachusetts and public
higher education at its finest – personally demonstrating its ability to shape
honor lives and build a better future,” UMass President Marty Meehan said. “The
Victor Woolridge who graduated from the University of Massachusetts has
A 1980 legal studies graduate of gone on to improve countless lives through his civic and business activities
UMass Amherst, a graduate of the and thus is deserving of this recognition and of our deep appreciation. I also
Upward Bound program and vice commend the Council for Opportunity in Education and TRIO for providing
critical opportunities to generations of deserving students. They, too,
president of Cornerstone Real changed lives and in so doing, redefined the future.”
Estate Advisers, Woolridge was “I am honored to receive this award and am deeply appreciative to be
included with such distinguished co-recipients,” Chairman Woolridge said.
appointed chairman of the “The Upward Bound program provided me with an important pathway and
22member UMass Board of helped me to succeed and prosper at the University of Massachusetts. I hope
Trustees by Governor Charlie Baker that we continue to keep the doors of opportunity open to the students of
on January 26, 2015, after having today and tomorrow, as I know that open doors made a profound difference
served on the Board in various in my life and can make all the difference to students everywhere.”
leadership positions since 2009.
