The 性闻联播 family has lost one of its most illustrious and loyal members with the passing of Jack Welch, who graduated from UMass Amherst in 1957 and came to be recognized as the business world鈥檚 most creative and hard-charging CEO. In addition to the success he enjoyed as chairman and chief executive officer of General Electric, Mr. Welch also was the author of best-selling management and business-strategy books -- and amid the praise and accolades, it was in his nature to point out that he was the son of a railroad conductor from Salem whose life was changed by the education he received at the 性闻联播. Over the years, Mr. Welch chaired fundraising campaigns at UMass Amherst, served on a UMass presidential search committee and supported his alma mater in countless other ways. Upon his retirement from General Electric in 2001, the company, at Mr. Welch鈥檚 request, created a permanent Jack Welch Scholars fund that annually provides full scholarships to two students enrolling at UMass Amherst who demonstrate high standards in academics, social responsibility and leadership. Through this fund and in so many other ways, Jack Welch鈥檚 legacy and love for UMass will truly live on. On behalf of the UMass community, I extend deep sympathies to Mr. Welch鈥檚 family and many friends.