Former Worcester Mayor Named Interim Director of Government and Community Relations at Holy Cross

The College of the Holy Cross has announced the appointment of John B. Anderson ’57, associate professor emeritus of history and former mayor of the City of Worcester, as interim director of the office of government and community relations. Anderson will serve the College in this capacity, while Edward M. Augustus, Jr., is on leave to serve as Worcester’s City Manager. Augustus will serve as city manager until a permanent successor can be named, and will then return to his position at the College.

As part of his responsibilities at Holy Cross, Anderson will serve as the College’s point of contact with City of Worcester elected and appointed officials to help strengthen lines of communication and foster and explore partnerships between the City and the College.  He will also represent Holy Cross in work with state and federal government agencies, key legislators, and other colleges and universities on issues concerning higher education policy development and legislation.

“John Anderson has been a member of the Holy Cross and Worcester communities for more than 50 years,” says Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J., president. “His strong relationships with City residents and organizations, and rich history as a public servant, will help Holy Cross maintain and build long-lasting partnerships.”

Anderson began teaching at Holy Cross in 1961 and retired in 2001; since then, he has taught one course a year—usually “Worcester and Its People.”  On campus he has served as the Speaker of the Faculty, chair of the history department, director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, and director of the Honors Program.

First elected to the Worcester City Council in 1975, he served 11 terms, retiring in 1998. He was the city’s mayor in 1986—the year in which he was also the chairman of the board of the United Way of Central Massachusetts. In 2010, an official portrait of Anderson was hung in City Hall alongside past mayors and city managers.

Very active in the Worcester community, Anderson is a member of the Worcester Historical Museum and the Worcester Art Museum.  Anderson and his wife, Mary Lou, live in Worcester and have a daughter, Katherine (Anderson) Olney, and two grandsons.

The government and community relations office is supported by assistant director Susan Hunt, who has a special responsibility for forging and fostering strategic and mission-oriented community partnership opportunities for students in the Greater Worcester community.