Dear Friends,

I am writing to share the wonderful news that the University of Massachusetts was rated as one of the best universities in the world – the only New England public university to be so honored – in the Times of London’s 2010 World University Rankings.

UMass ranked 56th in the global Top 200, a truly remarkable achievement when one considers that in addition to being the only New England public university to make what the Times of London describes as its “gold-standard” list.

UMass:

• The only public university in New England to be in the top 200.
• Ranks fourth in Massachusetts (behind Harvard, MIT and Tufts), and sixth in New England (after Harvard, MIT, Yale, Tufts and Brown)
• Is the 14th highest-rated American public university and is the 33rd highest-rated American institution public or private

In announcing this year’s World University Rankings, Times Higher Education editor Ann Mroz said: “We would like to congratulate the University of Massachusetts for its performance in this year’s rigorous rankings. Being ranked 56 in the world top 200 is an impressive achievement. The top 200 universities in the world represent only a tiny fraction of world higher education and any institution that makes it into this table is truly world class.”

The World University Rankings, considered the premier global higher-education ranking project, rates universities in five broad categories:

• Teaching - the learning environment
• Research - volume, income and reputation
• Citations - research influence
• International mix - staff and students
• Industry income - innovation

When we look at these criteria, we can see why UMass fared so well, given the excellence we see in the classroom every day, as well as the research and innovation accomplishments of our outstanding faculty, which attracts nearly $500 million in research funding annually and in Fiscal Year 2009 generated $73 million in intellectual property income, placing us in the Top 10 nationally in that vital category.

The University of Massachusetts is a truly great University, and we are delighted to be recognized in such dramatic fashion. This ranking is a testament to the hard work of our outstanding faculty and to the efforts of students who come to us with impressive credentials and talents … and graduate prepared to change the world.

I want to thank the Chancellors for their unstinting efforts and superb leadership, and the members of the Board of Trustees, who take time away from their personal and professional lives to provide us with wisdom, guidance, support and encouragement.

Through its education, research and service efforts, the University of Massachusetts shapes our future and touches every corner of the state. UMass educates the people who will build and lead Massachusetts and produces research that drives the state’s innovation economy. These are the efforts that are being recognized by this international accolade.

Make no mistake about it, this is a very impressive achievement. The 2010 World University Rankings are based on a preliminary review of thousands of universities worldwide and a “full evaluation” of 400 top candidate institutions. When it was all said and done, the University of Massachusetts earned an enviable ranking on this “gold-standard” list.

We see this ranking as a confirmation of what happens on our campuses every day and of what we know to be true … and as inspiration for us to aim higher and achieve more.

We are determined to shine a light on this world-class ranking because we think it is a message that the public needs to hear. I would welcome your assistance in spreading this important message.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jack M. Wilson