Marty Meehan

Marty Meehan is an American academic administrator and former politician who has served as the president of the University of Massachusetts system since 2015. He previously represented Massachusetts's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives for seven terms as a member of the Democratic Party. Meehan's career has been defined by his advocacy for campaign finance reform, his leadership in public higher education, and his deep ties to the Merrimack Valley region of his home state.

Early life and education

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, he was raised in a working-class family of Irish-American heritage. He attended local public schools before enrolling at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, then known as the University of Lowell, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in education and political science. He subsequently obtained a Juris Doctor from the Suffolk University Law School and later a Master of Public Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

U.S. House of Representatives

First elected to the United States Congress in 1992, he succeeded fellow Democrat Chester G. Atkins. During his tenure, Meehan served on influential committees including the House Armed Services Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. He co-authored the landmark Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (commonly known as McCain-Feingold) with Senators John McCain and Russ Feingold, establishing him as a leading national voice on campaign finance issues. He also played a role in investigations during the impeachment of Bill Clinton.

University of Massachusetts presidency

Resigning from Congress in 2007, he became the chancellor of his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, overseeing a period of significant growth in enrollment, research funding, and campus construction. In 2015, the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees selected him to become the 27th president of the five-campus University of Massachusetts system. His presidency has focused on expanding the system's national research profile, increasing affordability, and launching initiatives like the UMass Amherst Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences.

Political positions and legacy

A moderate New Democrat, his congressional record combined progressive stances on environmental protection and gun control with a reputation for fiscal discipline. His enduring legacy remains his work on campaign finance reform, advocating for stricter regulations on soft money and political action committees. As a university president, his legacy is tied to advancing the University of Massachusetts as a premier public research institution and key driver of economic development in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Personal life

He is married and has two children. An avid reader of American history, he maintains strong connections to the City of Lowell and is a noted fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.

Category:1956 births Category:Living people Category:University of Massachusetts alumni Category:University of Massachusetts faculty Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives