UMass Amherst Alumni

10/26/2026

From organizing voter registration drives during the Civil Rights Movement to shaping generations of students and civic leaders, Leslie-Burl McLemore ’71 PhD has dedicated his life to strengthening democracy and expanding opportunity.

After earning his PhD in government from UMass Amherst, Leslie built a distinguished career as a scholar, educator, and public servant. His work spans civil rights, elected office, and higher education, including helping create UMass Amherst’s W. E. B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies (UMass Amherst AfroAm).

We’re proud to celebrate Leslie as the 2026 UMass Alumni Honors recipient of the Randolph W. “Bill” Bromery Legacy Award. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor! 👏

Read more about Leslie’s lifetime of leadership and service: http://goumass.org/LeslieBurlMcLemore

10/23/2026

📍 Where will we see you this November?

UMass Amherst alumni events are headed to Massachusetts and North Carolina next month, with opportunities to learn, connect, and spend time with fellow Minutemen.

Swipe through to see what’s happening, then head to umassalumni.org/events to learn more.

10/21/2026

UMass Alumni Honors celebrates alumni who are leading the way in their fields and making a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond. Over the coming weeks, we’re highlighting the 2026 honorees and the remarkable paths they’ve taken since their time at UMass Amherst.

First up: Ida Cole ’68, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

After earning her mathematics degree from the College of Natural Sciences at UMass Amherst, Ida built a groundbreaking career in technology, rising to leadership roles at Apple and becoming Microsoft’s first female vice president. She has since dedicated herself to philanthropy, the arts, and expanding opportunities for women in STEM.

We’re proud to celebrate Ida and her extraordinary contributions with this well-deserved honor. Read more about Ida’s journey and remarkable legacy: http://goumass.org/IdaCole

10/20/2026

From drawing up plays as a 4-year-old to becoming head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Liam Coen ’09 has always had another coach in his corner: his dad.

After an elbow injury ended his playing career at UMass Amherst, Coen turned to coaching, eventually working his way from Amherst to the NFL.

Today, his dad, Tim, is still by his side, spending time at the Jaguars’ facility and serving as a trusted sounding board.

Ahead of Jacksonville’s matchup with the Patriots last month, Matt Vautour ’96 explored the family, football and UMass connections behind Coen’s rise to the top of the NFL.

MassLive has the story:

The final chapter of Rhode Island native Tim Coen's football career is a dream come true as both a coach and a dad.

10/19/2026

Consider this your annual fall-in-Amherst appreciation post. 🍂 🐿️ 🍁

10/17/2026

Know a student group, department, or campus program at University of Massachusetts Amherst that could benefit from additional support?

Women for UMass Amherst (WFUM) awards annual grants to initiatives that expand access, create opportunity, and strengthen support for students, with a particular focus on programs that align with their mission.

⏰ Applications are due October 20.

Explore funding opportunities and apply: https://bit.ly/WFUMGrantsFall26

10/16/2026

Last week, we kicked off by celebrating the people who make UMass Amherst shine! 🌟

Faculty and staff gathered in the Marriott Center for good food, UMass spirit, giveaways and, most importantly, a chance to celebrate the dedication, creativity and care they bring to university community every day. ❤️

See more photos: http://goumass.org/StaffAppreciation26

10/14/2026

From professional achievements to meaningful service, this year’s UMass Alumni Honors recipients are making their mark in the world.

On October 8, the UMass Amherst community celebrated six exceptional alumni, recognizing their accomplishments and the many ways they’re carrying their UMass experience forward.

Congratulations to the 2026 honorees:

🎓 Ida Cole ’68
🎓 Leslie-Burl McLemore ’71 PhD
🎓 Efosa Guobadia ’07, ’24 MBA
🎓 Zaileen Janmohamed ’05 MS, MBA
🎓 The Honorable William P. Hadley ’80
🎓 María Sucher ’18

Each honoree has a story worth celebrating. Look for more on their accomplishments and impact in the weeks ahead.

In the meantime, relive the celebration and view more photos: https://bit.ly/UMassAlumniHonors26

Thank you to our presenting sponsor the UMass Amherst Alumni Association.