Charles V. Ryan played a key role in the founding of STCC

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – When he was mayor of the city in the 1960s, Charles V. Ryan supported Edmond Garvey’s vision to transform the soon-to-be closed Springfield Armory into a community college serving the region.

The Armory had been used to manufacture military firearms since the birth of the United States nearly 200 years earlier.

“From the beginning, we felt that Armory Square was really kind of special – resembling a New England college campus, overlooking the Connecticut River valley,” said Ryan as the 50^th anniversary of the college was approaching, in remarks archived on the Springfield Technical Community College website.

Ryan, who died Monday at the age of 94, was one of four key players in the founding of STCC in 1967. The founders realized the ideal use of the Armory facility would be as a college. Others included Garvey (also the first president of the college), Joseph J. Deliso Sr., an industrialist, and Anthony M. Scibelli, a state representative and chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

As mayor in 1964, Ryan convened a blue ribbon to determine the best use for the site in the center of Springfield. Then principal of Trade School (now Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy), Garvey had established the Springfield Trade Institute, a two-year post-high school program. His dream was to create a technical school that would be affordable for all. The popular Trade Institute could not accommodate the demand. Setting up a technical community college at the Armory site seemed like the perfect solution.

The effort gained momentum as Deliso suggested to then Governor John A. Volpe that the Armory site should become a college.  Deliso and Volpe shared a belief in the importance of education.

Meantime, Ryan worked with state lawmakers to advance the proposal to create STCC.

From the beginning, we felt that Armory Square was really kind of special – resembling a New England college campus, overlooking the Connecticut River Valley Charles V. Ryan, One of STCC's Founders

“It was one of the most striking pieces of real estate in the city and beyond,” he said of the campus location.

“There was an opportunity here, if we could get the state behind us, because it was regional, not just a city resource,” Ryan said.

Ryan worked with state Rep. Scibelli to seek the transformation of the Armory into a technical community college for the Greater Springfield area.

With support from key state officials, including the governor, the idea of STCC was destined to become a reality. The college was founded in 1967, during Ryan’s first tenure as mayor of Springfield. He served 1962-1967 and then 2004-2008.

“From then on, it was kind of easy,” Ryan said, recalling his work with Scibelli in the 1960s. “When you have the CEO of the commonwealth and the Chair of Ways and Means working together, it's pretty much a certainty, so it passed out of city hands and into state hands.”

Ryan and the other founders’ efforts in the 1960s helped to advance the college’s mission to support students as they transform their lives.

“The benefits to the Greater Springfield community from STCC have been incalculable,” Ryan said. “It’s created jobs and businesses.”

Ryan witnessed the evolution of STCC over a half century and was impressed with how the institution continued to adapt to more complex technology and changing demands of the industry.

“I was looking at technology in the mid-1960s, but growth in the last 50 years has been just stunning, and will continue to be,” Ryan said.

The only technical community college in the Commonwealth, STCC offers highly regarded programs in manufacturing, healthcare, business, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), social services and liberal arts.

Students can earn an affordable certificate or two-year degree and be prepared to start rewarding careers or transfer to four-year colleges or universities to continue their education.

Dr. John Cook, the sixth STCC president, expressed his condolences to Ryan’s family and appreciation for his work many years ago to make the community college a reality.

“Charlie Ryan – one of our founders and a true public servant – will be missed. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends,” Cook said. “On behalf of the students, faculty and staff at STCC, I want to thank Mayor Ryan for having the talent, skill and tenacity to turn an idea into a reality. In our 54 years as a college, the legacy of Charlie Ryan lives on.”

To watch a video interview with Ryan and relatives of the founders, visit stcc.edu/about-stcc/history.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequalled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (423) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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