MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass.— Michael McGlynn, who served as mayor of Medford for 28 years before deciding not to seek a 15th term, today received Tufts University's Presidential Medal in appreciation for his many years of partnership with Tufts. The event was attended by members of the university community, Medford residents and City Hall staff.
The Presidential Medal is awarded “in recognition of public service and contributions to Tufts” and is given to individuals and/or institutions that Tufts wishes to honor in a special way. One of the first recipients was McGlynn’s father, Medford Mayor John J. McGlynn, who received the medal in 1976.
“Whether it is partnering with us on Community Day, involving our students and faculty in the Medford public schools, supporting sustainability or building bridges with non-profit organizations, you have always been an outstanding leader of Medford and a good friend to Tufts,” said Tufts University President Anthony P. Monaco. “You will always be known as one of the great mayors of our Commonwealth and a role model for future leaders of local government.”
Mayor Stephanie M. Burke, who succeeded McGlynn in 2016, congratulated him on his honor. "I am extremely grateful for my continued partnership with Mayor McGlynn while working together to improve the quality and sustainability of our city," she said. "I commend Mayor McGlynn on his remarkable tenure serving the City of Medford and the many enhancements he contributed to it as mayor. We have both been committed to building a stronger partnership with organizations, residents and potential businesses throughout the community and I will continue to focus on leading our city toward a positive future."
McGlynn was first elected mayor in 1987 after serving as a Massachusetts state representative, and he retired as the state's longest actively serving mayor. His numerous accomplishments as mayor included overseeing strong municipal finances, promoting economic development, appointing a volunteer committee to review the city’s schools and constructing consolidated, modern educational facilities. His keen interest in environmental issues spurred development of many new parks, construction of a wind turbine, the launch of Medford's annual Green Awards and a program to encourage installation of solar panels.
His tenure as mayor was marked by many collaborations with Tufts. He negotiated on behalf of Medford to establish the first Tufts Partnership Agreement in 2004 through which Tufts committed annual financial payments to Medford and Somerville, and renegotiated the deal in 2014. During 28 years in office, more than a dozen Tufts buildings were constructed and renovated, including Dowling Hall, the Interfaith Center, and the Steve Tisch Sports & Fitness Center.
Photographs from today’s Presidential Medal reception are available upon request. A full list of Presidential Medal recipients is available at: http://trustees.tufts.edu/hondegree/presmedal/
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Tufts University, located on three Massachusetts campuses in Boston, Medford/Somerville, and Grafton, and in Talloires, France, is recognized among the premier research universities in the United States. Tufts enjoys a global reputation for academic excellence and for the preparation of students as leaders in a wide range of professions. A growing number of innovative teaching and research initiatives span all campuses, and collaboration among the faculty and students in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs across the university is widely encouraged.
