Harvard’s Tom Lucey receives award for work with children, families

It’s not always a glamorous job, being the behind-the-scenes wrangler, the deal broker, the messenger. It’s often thankless and can sometimes feel like a constant uphill battle — yet day after day, year after year, Tom Lucey shows up to work with a smile and sets out doing what he does best — doing right by our kids and our community.

Lucey, the director of government and community relations at Harvard for the past 13 years, has made it his mission to collaborate with local leaders, schools, and civic organizations to find ways in which Harvard can positively engage in a growing number of community issues — particularly local education efforts.

On May 7, he was honored with the Avon Children’s Friend Award at the Cambridge Family and Children’s Services’ 21st Annual Circle of Friends Gala.

Cambridge Mayor David Maher acknowledged Lucey’s strong desire to stay out of the limelight, but to never shy away from delivering for the community. “Anytime you need something done — just call Tom Lucey and the job will get done,” Maher said. “Harvard University, and with it, Tom Lucey, has always been a true partner with our community and that’s what makes this city and this community so special.”

“Harvard’s mission of teaching, research and learning extends well beyond the campus,” Lucey said. “I am so proud of that commitment and am honored to be working with so many of our partners to make our community a better place to live and work.”