STCC celebrates Black History Month

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events beginning with the Cecelia A. Gross Memorial Flag Raising.

Gross was a professor of African-American history at STCC for over 25 years. She introduced a black history and literature course and worked on a number of grants that enabled her students to do research into important aspects of Springfield life.

She also established an annual program that featured a number of Black History Month events which served to create a greater awareness of black heritage and the contribution of the black experience to Springfield’s history and community.

The displaying of the Black History Month flag at STCC began as a result of Gross’ efforts. She arranged to have the banner raised every February to symbolically open Black History Month and its events on the campus of STCC.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African-Americans and a time for recognizing the central role African-Americans have played in U.S. history.

STCC’s Office of Multicultural Affairs has the following events planned in February:

  • Feb. 1 –  Cecelia A. Gross Memorial Flag Raising, Garvey Hall Circle
  • Feb. 5-28 – Art Exhibit by artist Brian Gaither, Building 28/Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery
  • Feb. 6 – A screening and discussion of the film “Black Panther,” 12:15 p.m., Building 19/2nd Floor (a collaboration with the STCC library)
  • Feb. 21 – Soul Food & Jazz Luncheon, noon – 2 p.m., Scibelli Hall Gym. Tickets are $5 for the general public and $2 for STCC students who show their student IDs. This event will feature Jazz Guitarist Rohn Lawrence and Friends. Proceeds benefit the Myra D. Smith Scholarship Fund.  
  • Feb. 27 – In the Spotlight: Dr. Raja Staggers, “Health Disparities in the Minority Community,” 11:15 a.m., Scibelli Hall, Rooms 703-704.

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, a designated Hispanic Serving Institution and 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 7,400 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