STCC 50th Commencement Ceremony set for Thursday, June 1
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHEN: Thursday, June 1, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: MassMutual Center, Springfield
DETAILS: Approximately 1,127 students in the Class of 2017 are expected to receive diplomas/certificates from Springfield Technical Community College.
Breakdown of credentials:
- 704 associate in science degrees
- 258 associate in arts degrees
- 134 certificates of completion
- 31 certificates
Student population data:
Age range for STCC graduates: 18 years old to 73 years old. More than one-half of the students graduating are older than 25.
Of those graduating, 55 percent of the graduates are female; 45 percent of the graduates are male; 57 percent are white; 22 percent are Hispanic; 14 percent are black; 7 percent identify as “other.”
Speakers:
- United States Congressman Richard E. Neal – Greetings from the United States Congress
- STCC President Dr. John B. Cook – Welcomes the Class of 2017
- Student speaker Michael J. Capozza – Greetings from the Class of 2017
- Student speaker Shannon B. Martin – Invocation
Honorary Degree 2017: Elizabeth A. Almeida (posthumous)
Elizabeth Ann Almeida – “Liz” to all who knew and loved her – was born in Brattleboro, Vt. Raised in Springfield, she graduated from Classical High School. Liz was a cherished and beloved member of the STCC community and her untimely passing in 2015 saddened us deeply. Liz worked for 18 years as a supervisor in the Student Accounts Office. Liz found her true mission as manager of the college’s Veterans Affairs Office. In addition to counseling veterans and service members on their educational benefits, Liz created a climate of respect and honor for those who so bravely serve our country.
In 2012, Liz began the annual STCC Veterans & Service Members Ceremony, which is held the week of Veterans Day. The poignant ceremony, marked by the flag-lined sidewalk behind Garvey Hall, welcomes campus veterans and service members, guest speakers and the High School of Commerce Junior ROTC to join in fellowship to pay homage to our selfless servants. The ceremony concludes with the "Presentation of the Flag.”
Liz was instrumental in the opening of the Center for Veterans & Service Members in Garvey Hall. As the mother and niece of service members, Liz treated veterans and service members as her own. She enthusiastically instituted “Red Shirt Fridays” at STCC, selling T-shirts with proceeds supporting the Veterans Club. Off campus, Liz was a volunteer with Honor Flight New England, an organization which helps bring World War II veterans, at no cost, to see the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
STCC Distinguished Alumna 2017: Therese A. McGuigan
Therese “Terry” McGuigan, of West Springfield, graduated from Springfield Technical Community College in 1975 with an Associate in Arts in General Studies. However, Terry’s long history with STCC, and its location on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, began at birth.
Her grandfather, Wilfred Chabot, a bricklayer by trade, helped craft the buildings that populate our historic campus. Her mother, Rita Clarke, worked at the Armory during World War II as an arms checker and a secretary. Her father, Phil LaBranche, served as STCC’s first Chief of Security in 1968 when it was mandatory for his family to live on campus. Terry’s address became One Armory Square when she moved to the campus as a high school student.
Attending the College was also a tradition in Terry’s family. Her sister, Patricia, graduated from STCC’s first incarnation, Springfield Technical Institute, from the Public Health program, and her brother, Mark, graduated from STCC with an Associate in Science in Criminal Justice.
Shortly after graduating from STCC, Terry began working in the Registrar’s Office. In 1980 she found her professional calling in the Information Technology Department as a valued member of STCC’s IT team with a focus on admissions and student communication. Terry is retiring this year after 42 years of service.
As a single mom, Terry instilled in her son, Patrick, a strong work ethic and a passion for education. He began attending STCC at the age of 16 and graduated in 2010 with an Associate in Science in Graphic Arts.
About Springfield Technical Community College
Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of more than 8,500 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.
For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@S_T_C_C).
Media Contact:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu