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University of Massachusetts Amherst facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The University of Massachusetts Amherst (often called UMass Amherst or just UMass) is a large public university located in Amherst, Massachusetts. It's a place where many students come to learn and grow.

Each year, UMass Amherst welcomes over 30,000 students and has about 1,300 teachers and researchers. It's a big community focused on education!

The university offers many different study programs. Students can choose from 109 programs for their first degree (undergraduate), 77 programs for master's degrees, and 48 programs for doctoral degrees. This means there are lots of subjects to explore, from science to arts.

UMass Amherst is also a place for important discoveries. In 2018, the university spent $211 million on research and development. This shows how much they focus on finding new knowledge and solving problems.

What is UMass Amherst?

UMass Amherst is the main campus of the University of Massachusetts system. It is a public university, which means it gets funding from the state of Massachusetts. It's known for its strong programs and beautiful campus.

Campus Life and Buildings

The campus has many interesting buildings and places for students. There are modern labs, historic halls, and large libraries. Students can live in different residential areas, some of which are very old and full of history.

Learning and Research Spaces

The W. E. B. Du Bois Library is a very tall building on campus. It is the second tallest library in the world and the tallest university library. This huge library holds many books and resources for students to use.

The university also has special buildings for science, like the Life Science Laboratories. These labs help students and teachers do important research. There's also a Commonwealth Honors College complex, which is a special area for students who achieve high academic results.

Arts and Culture

UMass Amherst has a Fine Arts Center where students can enjoy music, theater, and art. The University Museum of Contemporary Art shows modern artworks. These places help students explore their creative side.

Sports and Activities

UMass Amherst has many sports teams, known as the Minutemen and Minutewomen. Students can join different clubs and activities. The University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band is very famous and performs at many events.

Athletic Teams

The university has teams for football, basketball, and many other sports. Students can cheer for their teams at the Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium and other sports venues. Being part of a team or supporting one is a big part of campus life.

Famous People from UMass Amherst

Many successful people have studied at UMass Amherst. They have gone on to do amazing things in science, sports, and the arts.

Nobel Prize Winners

Some graduates have even won the Nobel Prize, which is a very high honor for their work.

Leaders and Innovators

UMass Amherst alumni have become leaders in many fields.

  • Andrew Card was a White House Chief of Staff.
  • Shirley Ann Jackson is a respected scientist and leader.
  • Ruth Simmons was the president of Brown University.
  • Jack Welch was a famous CEO of General Electric.
  • Steven Sinofsky was a president at Microsoft.
  • John Legere was the CEO of T-Mobile US.
  • Wayne Chang founded important tech companies.
  • Madeleine Kunin was the first female Governor of Vermont.
  • Kang Kyung-wha was a high-ranking official at the United Nations.

Athletes and Entertainers

Many talented athletes and artists have also attended UMass Amherst.

Writers and Thinkers

The university has also produced great writers and thinkers.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Universidad de Massachusetts Amherst para niños

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