The Tea
A visionary gift positions UMass Boston to lead in applied AI
The Motleys join program participants and family members in revealing the signage on the Dr. J. Keith and Angela Motley Residence Hall East.
Residence Halls Named for Dr. J. Keith and Angela Motley The namesakes of the newly christened Dr. J.
you should expect at an institution. And as a
Keith and Angela Motley Residence Halls were
university built on love, we cannot move on
honored for their steadfast commitment to UMass without thanking all those who stood by our side Boston at a dedication ceremony hosted by the
to ensure our students’ success with the
University of Massachusetts and attended by
opening of the campus’ first residence halls.
more than 400 people. Chancellor Emeritus Dr.
Let us continue to reach, inspire, and empower
Motley and former first lady Angela Motley G'94
the next generation of leaders.”
have been the driving force in expanding the
“The residence halls were a dream of ours
on-campus residential experience for students.
realized and only complements the work of
“It is an honor to pay tribute to two UMass
those around us. Thank you to everyone who
Boston legends,” said UMass Boston Chancellor
made this possible,” said Angela Motley, who
Marcelo Suárez-Orozco. “The incomparable
played a critical role during Dr. Motley’s tenure
Angela and Keith are tireless champions toward
by supporting fundraising efforts and making
equity for students, staff, and the UMass
service and student mentorship a hallmark of
community. The naming of this building is a
her time at the university. “We are truly humbled
testament to their leadership, making their
and forever grateful to be receiving an honor of
legacy a permanent honor of their forceful
this stature.”
efforts to build our first on-campus living space.”
Built in 2018, the Dr. J. Keith and Angela Motley
“This is beyond our imagination,” said Dr.
Residence Halls provide housing for first-year
Motley. “When you walk onto this campus, you
students, flexible living and learning spaces, and
can see transformation everywhere. That
a venue for fostering a stronger on-campus
should not be a surprise—excellence is what
educational experience.
4
UMass Boston recently announced the creation of the Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute, conceived and funded by tech entrepreneur and UMass Boston alumnus Paul English ’87, G’89, H’19. The new institute—created with a $4 million commitment and an additional $1 million in scholarship support from English—will be the first of its kind in the nation. “I’ve had the privilege of visiting dozens of universities over my career,” said English. “What stands out about UMass Boston is its pragmatism, grit, and diversity. It is these things that will propel UMB to lead on applied AI.” The institute will be embedded in academic study across UMass Boston’s schools and colleges and will include a focus on the social, ethical, and diversity challenges associated with AI. It will also catalyze UMass Boston’s efforts to gather experts from the full spectrum of the university’s research and organize its activity and expertise around this everexpanding technology. These combined emphases will allow the institute to give UMass Boston students in every field—who overwhelmingly join the Massachusetts workforce after graduation—the tools necessary to succeed in and shape the increasingly AI-powered world of work.
Fall 2023
