Swampscott Woman Honored By UMass Lowell

SWAMPSCOTT, MA – Donna and Rob Manning of Swampscott have established UMass Lowell's first endowed professorship of nursing. Donna Manning got a nursing degree and an MBA at UMass Lowell, and has been an oncology nurse at Boston Medical Center for nearly three decades.

The Donna Manning Endowed Chair for Nursing has been established by the Mannings, alumni who have supported the university, including scholarships and the new Pulichino Tong Business Center that is home to the Manning School of Business. Donna Manning, who earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and an MBA at UMass Lowell, has had a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades as an oncology nurse at Boston Medical Center. Rob Manning is the chairman of the UMass Board of Trustees and the chairman and co-CEO of MFS Investment Management.

An event Thursday celebrating the endowed professorship also celebrating the School of Nursing's new name: The Susan and Alan Solomont School of Nursing. The dedication is in recognition of support for the university, including a new fund for scholarships and academic support for nursing majors.

Alan Solomont is a former U.S. ambassador to Spain and Andorra who earned a degree in nursing at UMass Lowell before embarking on a career in health care and politics that also included serving as chairman of the university’s board of trustees during its merger with the UMass system. He currently serves as dean of the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. Susan Solomont is a philanthropic adviser and civic leader who has served on the boards of nonprofits and educational institutions. While in Spain, she established the Women’s Leadership Network and chaired the U.S. Embassy’s Volunteers in Action program.