Higher Ed

So, some of you have, by now, likely heard the story out of Boston - that the city's top cop, Police Commissioner Edward Davis, III is moving on.

Regular readers of this blog know that Ed and I are friends going way back.  I first met him when I started as a cub reporter for the Lowell Sun newspaper, and he was a sergeant, working early night vice, trying to crack down on the prostitution problem on lower Middlesex Street.

Over the course of the next decade, I covered his rise through the ranks, and then, after he was appointed permanent superintendent of the LPD, I joined his team as his Communications Director.

We've kept in touch over the years, even as our career have taken us down different paths.

Earlier this year, I was honored when he asked MCC President Carole Cowan if I could lend the Boston PD a hand in the days immediately after the Boston Marathon bombings.

President Cowan said yes.  Let me tell you, it was an honor to contribute in any capacity during an historic time in our nation's history.

Last week, Davis made a return to the Mill City, coming to Middlesex Community College to recognize Constitution Day and chat with more than 100 students and staff about the Marathon bombings, and specifically, how the U.S. Constitution came into play during that week in April.

He was questioned by an audience member about what's next for his resume, but deftly sidestepped the question regarding his being considered for a position heading up the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Thanks to photog extraordinaire Alyce O'Connell of www.alyceoconnell.com we got some great shots out of the event, so I figured with this morning's presser out of Boston, it'd be a good time to share some shots of the Commish and some of his peeps during his Lowell visit.

 

Anyone who knows him, knows Davis has always had a great relationship with the press.  Here he is with some of the Lowell Sun's heavy hitters, Dave Brow and Chris Scott

Two of the finer folks I've had the honor of working with during my career, past and present

Judy Burke from MCC grew up on the same Centralville street as Ed.  Every time they reconnect, we learn some new story about their shared Centralville roots.  Not all of the stories can be published.

Two of Judy's peeps from Community and Corporate Ed, Marci Barnes and Lisa Tuzzolo 

Ed took a minute to congratulate MCC's Joe Patuto, who ran in this year's Boston Marathon but got halted along with thousands of others at mile 25 in Kenmore Square when the marathon was shut down.  Joe will be back in the running next April.  He's already signed up for another Boston Marathon.

Davis recounted many of the details of those five days in April, and somberly told pieces of the story that had some audience members in tears.

At six feet, six inches, he makes even the enormous smart station look small 

After his presentation, along with MCC Criminal Justice student Dawn Thompson of Lowell, who opened the program.

With Rebecca Newell, Sheri Denk, and Melissa Welch, the folks from MCC's Center for Student Engagement who put on the Constitution Day gig

With MCC's Cherie Comeau, who will likely be among the thousands to run in the Boston Marathon in the not-too-distant future

Photog Alyce doesn't always get to be in the pics herself because she's too busy snapping shots, but she stood still long enough to be dwarfed by Davis

With members of my MCC team, Alisa Chapman and Mary-Jo Griffin.  Clearly, Ed's getting a kick out of how tall he feels in these pics

And finally, with members of his LPD team, Capt. Kelly Richardson, Deputy Superintendent Arthur Ryan Jr., Chuck Ouellette and Jackie Cook, the brains of the outfit. 

From your Mill City cohorts, Ed, best of luck in your next gig. We're sure you'll do well, and you won't forget where you came from.  Thanks for stepping up as a leader in the wake of the Marathon bombings.  Don't forget to visit this neck of the woods every once in a while for a trip to the Owl, the Athenian Corner or the Hong and Kong!