1st Female Chancellor Inaugurated At UMass Lowell

The first female chancellor in the 121-year history of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell has been inaugurated.

Jacquie Moloney officially began her job Thursday as chief of the 17,000-student school. More than 1,000 people attended the ceremony for Moloney, who is a graduate of the school and worked there for three decades before being named chancellor this year.

She follows the previous chancellor, Marty Meehan, who is now president of the university system. Moloney most recently served as executive vice chancellor for eight years.

At the ceremony, Moloney said the university's mission is to change lives. She started a 90-day effort in August to meet with students, faculty and staff on campus to identify opportunities and challenges at UMass Lowell.

A university statement said inauguration events raised $1.5 million for student scholarships.