STCC celebrates 55 years of ‘gratitude and grit’ at gala and awards banquet

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Alumni and friends of Springfield Technical Community College joined faculty and staff to celebrate “55 Years of Gratitude and Grit” at the STCC Resilience Awards and Gala on Oct. 6.

The event, the first to be held at the Springfield Marriott Downtown, drew about 250 people. The gala honored community leaders and innovative champions and raised more than $111,000 to benefit students, said Dr. Shai Butler, Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs and Executive Director of the STCC Foundation.

Founded in 1967 and celebrating its 55^th year, STCC is the only technical community college in Massachusetts and a Hispanic Serving Institution, which means more than 25 percent of students who attend identify as Hispanic or Latino.

The gala included well wishes from Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. Other speakers included state Rep. Bud L. Williams, Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi and Dr. Jacqueline Johnson, vice president of the STCC Foundation, who presented awards to honorees.

In his welcoming remarks, President John B. Cook highlighted STCC’s role as an innovative and affordable higher education institution.

Thanking all who came out to support the college and its students, Cook reflected on the evolution of STCC throughout the decades, which included growth and changes that “amazed” alumni even in its early days. Cook touted some of the significant recent positive developments on campus, such as the opening of the Ira H. Rubenzahl Student Learning Commons in 2018 and the announcement this year of $30 million in funding to relocate health programs.

The changes, he said, reflect “the resilience inherent in this wonderful institution we know as STCC.”

The college has always been student-centered with a long-standing mission to support students as they transform their lives. One student, Guadalupe “Drew” Torres '23, shared his story of hardship and transformation.

You have all made an impact on my life and truly molded me into the young man you see here today. Drew Torres, STCC student

Torres enrolled at STCC in the fall of 2021 determined to succeed. He played basketball, earned a place on the dean’s list and was elected Student Government Association president. He hopes to transfer into the nursing program.

“You have all made an impact on my life and truly molded me into the young man you see here today,” Torres said, thanking the faculty, staff, coaches and others in the STCC community who have supported him. “I am a reflection of what STCC has truly done for me.”

The gala also featured reflections from STCC alumni Karolyn Burgos Toribio ’19 and Malachi Vivenzio ‘18, who met at the college and got married. They both said they found STCC welcoming and supportive, especially for students from low-income backgrounds.

STCC Foundation President Jennifer Brown and STCC alumnus Frank Quigley ‘77, gala co-chairs, welcomed attendees and thanked everyone for their support.

Quigley, a member and past president of the STCC Foundation, said partnerships with other universities and colleges have allowed students to transfer seamlessly from STCC to pursue their education and save, as STCC is the most affordable college in Springfield. “We’re talking about a huge financial savings,” he said.

“STCC is a part of who I am and each one of us here tonight,” Quigley said. “We also share the connection with our beloved colleagues as we celebrate the 55 years of this college.”

The event included a resilience awards presentation. The following awards were presented:

• Community Innovation Champion: Helen Caulton-Harris, Health and Human Services Commissioner for the City of Springfield
• Industry Innovation Champion: Nadim Kashouh and Lyman Wood, co-owners, Nadim's Mediterranean Grill
• Government & Public Affairs Champion: State Rep. Angelo Puppolo ‘96, legislator, State of Massachusetts
• Alumni Champion: Louis Weir ’00, Assistant Superintendent of Special Ops & Chief of Security at Hampden County Sheriff’s Department

To make a gift to support STCC students, visit stcc.edu/give or contact Kelly Galanis, director of Operations and Donor Relations, at (413) 755-4529 or kgalanis@stcc.edu.

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 unequaled 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, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

• See All News