The Claire T. Carney Leaders Program, Carney Fellowship celebrates collaboration and commitment to education and community service
UMass Dartmouth recently received a combined total commitment of $460,000 from the Carney Family Charitable Foundation, UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Emerita Jean F. MacCormack, Downey Family Fund, and the MacLean Foundation to support the Claire T. Carney Leaders Program, Carney Fellowship.
Named in honor of New Bedford native and former Trustee Claire T. Carney ('73), the program celebrates collaboration and commitment to education and community service, a hallmark of Claire Carney's life.
"This extraordinary new fellowship program is a fitting tribute to Claire's generous support of UMass Dartmouth and education across the SouthCoast, which enabled countless students to pursue their dreams," said UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark A. Fuller. "Claire left an indelible mark on our community, and I know she would be proud to see our students continue her legacy through public service."
"My grandmother was a lifetime advocate for women, children, and families, ensuring that education was available to anyone who desired it. Her involvement in many local organizations reflected her commitment to helping others. She volunteered many years as a trustee of UMD, serving as the first female board member and volunteering for the SHARE Foundation and NB YWCA. To know my grandmother, you realize she led with love in all she did, which was the fabric and foundation of her life. She encouraged her family to do the same and lead by her example. I am proud to say she inspired me to do community-based work, and I am hopeful this program ignites that desire for UMD students to serve and give back to the community," shared Kate V. Carney, Carney Family Charitable Foundation Trustee.
The program, administered by the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement, focuses on developing student leaders who will emphasize effective collaboration with diverse SouthCoast nonprofit partners to accomplish their learning and service goals. The program supports highly motivated students in good standing who have demonstrated a commitment to civic engagement that enhances their studies, lives, and the community they serve. The fellowships are available for sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have demonstrated leadership potential and are renewable for three years.
"Claire Carney and I shared the belief that education has the power to transform individuals and communities. She would love seeing the next generation of UMD students continue to make that happen. I am happy to be a partner in ensuring this program will be a signature initiative at the Leduc Center." said Jean F. MacCormack, Chancellor Emerita of UMass Dartmouth.
Service to the community is crucial to UMass Dartmouth's mission and is instilled in academics and activities on and off campus. UMassD students performed more than 252,000 community service hours during the 2023-2024 academic year, and 82% of the 2024 graduating class had at least one service-learning class. Students in the UMass Dartmouth School of Law have completed more than 215,000 hours of pro bono legal services since 2010, and the Class of 2024 completed 9,979 hours of pro bono legal and public service before graduating. The Leduc Center engages the campus community through active citizenship, meaningful service, scholarship, and mutually beneficial partnerships. Projects include America Reads tutoring, 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, and college tours for middle school students across the SouthCoast.
Claire T. Carney proudly earned her B.A. in English in 1973, when the university was known as Southeastern Massachusetts University (SMU). In 1981, she made history as the first woman appointed to the SMU Board of Trustees. Carney's impact on UMass Dartmouth has been immense and celebrated through various accolades, including the SMU Alumni Association Service Award in 1982, the Centennial Award in 1997, and an honorary doctorate in 1990. In 2006, the campus library was named the Claire T. Carney Library in her honor to recognize her unwavering support for UMass Dartmouth.