News Post:

Superintendent-director says goodbye to final graduating class of her career

LOWELL — Hundreds of graduating seniors from Greater Lowell Technical High School’s Class of 2026 took a bow Tuesday night as they collected their diplomas in a ceremony at the Tsongas Center, and while they closed one chapter of their lives and opened a new one, so too is Superintendent-Director Jill Davis.

Davis has served in the school’s top role for six years, and has worked in various other roles within the school for the last 30 years. Tuesday night was her last time addressing a graduating class, as after three decades with Greater Lowell Tech she will retire from her position at the end of December. While addressing her final graduating class, Davis said she looks at them and sees “young people prepared to face challenges, pursue their passions, and make a positive difference in the world around them.”

“Seeing that gives me tremendous hope for the future, and makes tonight especially meaningful to me,” said Davis. “This is my final graduation ceremony at Greater Lowell Technical High School … and I could not imagine a better class to share this moment with.”

She continued, “After nearly three decades at this incredible school, what I will remember most will not be the awards, recognitions or accomplishments, it will be the people. The students whose stories became part of this community and reminded all of us why this work matters so deeply.”

Lowell Mayor Erik Gitschier, who also serves as the director of plant services for Greater Lowell Tech, gave the commencement address Tuesday, where he drew from his own experience at the school, and as the only mayor in the history of Lowell to have graduated from it.

“My most prized accomplishment of my entire career has been my Greater Lowell Tech diploma, and getting to know all of you. Most commencement speakers don’t know the graduates they speak to. I have had the pleasure of watching all of you grow into amazing young adults,” said Gitschier. “From the first day of freshman year that you walked in to Greater Lowell asking where a specific class was or how to get there, to your senior year where you were helping others find their way, you have adapted, learned and changed. That is how life works. We fail, we make mistakes, but at the end of it all we learn by asking for help to achieve our goals.”

After addressing the students, Gitschier presented a citation from the city to Davis for her time at Greater Lowell Tech, which highlighted “significant academic growth, strengthening student support and expanding career and technical education opportunities” achieved under her leadership.

Davis will succeeded by current Assistant Superintendent-Principal Mike Barton, Greater Lowell Tech School Committee Chair Curtis LeMay said during the ceremony.

“Michael has been here for 30 years, just like Jill. They know the campus inside and out, and that is probably why our 75-acre campus and everything about it is the biggest in the commonwealth, and the envy of more than the commonwealth, probably New England,” said LeMay.