STCC announces celebration of the Class of 2020
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College will hold a “Celebration of the Class of 2020,” a virtual event that will be streamed online Aug. 29 at 6 p.m.
The college encourages family and friends of graduates to watch the event on STCC’s website, stcc.edu. In addition to the online celebration, STCC has invited every Class of 2020 graduate to participate in the college’s June 3, 2021, commencement ceremony.
STCC canceled the traditional 2020 Commencement due to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. President John B. Cook said a planning team is continuing to work on details of the virtual event.
“We realize this has been a difficult time for our students, particularly those who are graduating and were looking forward to celebrating their academic success with families and friends,” Cook said. “I’m proud of each and every one of them. They deserve to be celebrated – and they will be. I look forward to congratulating our graduates and honoring them at the virtual celebration.”
In addition to holding the virtual celebration in August, STCC announced other plans for the graduating class:
- A mailing of each graduate’s diploma or certificate
- A mailing of a cap and tassel, and diploma cover, to each graduate
- A mailing of a commencement program to each graduate (to include a listing of all 2020 Honors Award recipients who would have normally been recognized at convocation)
- An invitation for every Class of 2020 graduate to participate in the college’s June 3, 2021 Commencement ceremony
Matt Gravel, dean of Academic Initiatives who leads commencement planning, said STCC chose a late August date for the virtual celebration because some of the prospective May graduates will need time during the summer to complete their requirements. The COVID-19 crisis has caused delays for some students.
“We are putting together ideas for the August celebration to make this a special day,” Gravel said. “In our work, there is arguably nothing more satisfying than the commencement ceremony as we applaud and recognize the accomplishments of students alongside their families and friends.”
Gravel is asking for the campus community to submit photos of encouragement.
“Our graduates will not be able to walk through a congratulatory line of faculty and staff this year, but nevertheless we want them to see your proud faces and words of encouragement and support,” he said in a message to faculty and staff.
STCC will post updates about Commencement 2020 plans at stcc.edu/commencement.
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 offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, liberal arts, and STEM fields continue to provide the most affordable options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of about 7,000 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, Twitter (@S_T_C_C) and Instagram (@stccpics).
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu