The UMass. Building Authority honored Robert Sheridan for his three terms as chairman of the board.
New board chairman Philip Johnston, and current board members William Kennedy and Henry Thomas at the UMass. Club in Boston to thank Sheridan for his leadership and service joined UMass. president Robert Caret and UMBA executive director Katherine Craven. Among the guests who attended the dinner were UMass. Boston chancellor Keith Motley and UMass. Lowell chancellor Marty Meehan.
During Sheridan's tenure as chairman, UMBA tripled its square footage to 11 million s/f, with $1.77 billion in construction activity currently underway on all five UMass. campuses.
"Bob has been part of some of the most transformative construction projects since the school's inception," said Katherine Craven, UMBA executive director.
"These projects took shape on all five campuses creating new research facilities, venture development centers and other buildings that strengthen the University's reputation as one of the top educational institutions in the country and a top economic development driver for the state."
Major projects completed during Sheridan's tenure include: The Sherman Center in Worcester, a world class medical research facility and the largest construction project in school history; The Massachusetts Accelerator for Biomanufacturing (MAB) at UMass Dartmouth, the only facility in the United States where startups will be able to test their biomanufacturing methods and bioproducts at every stage of development and access. University Suites at UMass Lowell, the first new residence hall constructed on campus since 1989, representing a new model of campus housing in an all-suites building, and part of the school's long term goal to transition from a commuter school; and Lowell's Emerging Technology and Innovation Center (ETIC).
Working with president Caret, the board of trustees and the board of directors, UMBA strives to deliver the most cost-effective, highest quality, sustainable construction of world-class buildings to support the mission of the University.
Prior to serving as chairman, Sheridan was a board member for UMBA from 2002 through 2007 while also a member of the University of Mass. Board of Trustees. At various times during his tenure on the board of trustees, he also held the positions of vice chairman of the board, vice chairman of the administration and finance committee, chairman of the athletics committee and vice chairman of the Committee on Academics and Student Affairs. He also served on the 2003-2004 UMass president's search committee, the governance committee, the Worcester City Campus Corp., the UMass Amherst Chancellor Search Committee and the UMass Foundation Board and was chairman of the UMass Lowell Ice Hockey Task Force. Sheridan is also a member of the University of Mass. Foundation board.