Tree House Brewing Co. co-founder receives STCC Alumni Impact Award
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Tree House Brewing Co. co-founder Dean Rohan was honored with the first-ever 2017 Alumni Impact Award, which recognizes the positive contributions and innovation made by Springfield Technical Community College alumni in their workplace and profession.
STCC Trustee and alumnus Frank Quigley presented the award to Rohan at Tree House Brewing Co.’s new facility in Charlton, Mass., during the STCC Foundation’s Brews & BBQ fundraiser on Oct. 22.
“This is something that is so humbling, something I could never, ever have imagined,” said Rohan, a 1997 graduate of the physical therapist assistant program.
In 2011, Rohan co-founded Tree House Brewing Co. with Nate Lanier and Damien Goudreau. The business started in a barn in Brimfield and then moved to Monson. This past summer, the partners opened the nearly 55,000-square-foot facility on 68 acres in Charlton. A wooden beam structure of the original barn – built to scale – stands inside the retail area as a reminder of their humble beginnings.
“The dream of Tree House that my friends and I dreamt … has come to fruition in this beautiful facility, this beautiful place, where we watch people come and have the kind of fun you’re having today,” Rohan told alumni, faculty, staff and friends gathered in and around an outdoor pavilion on the Tree House grounds.
The STCC Foundation chose Tree House Brewing Co. to hold the fundraiser to cap off the college’s 50th anniversary celebration based on its strong connections to the college. Quigley, president of FD Quigley & Associates, managed the development of the new Tree House Facility.
In addition to receiving the award, Rohan accepted his diploma from Dr. John B. Cook, president of STCC. While he graduated 20 years ago, Rohan never actually picked up his diploma.
"Yes, we had a chance to kid Dean about his diploma all these years later, but importantly, this was a tremendous occasion to celebrate our alumni and raise funds for students,” Cook said. “I cannot be more proud of our institution, and Dean Rohan represents all of the innovation, hard work and uniqueness that defines our wonderful college.”
Rohan’s company attracts beer enthusiasts from throughout New England and beyond who drive for miles and stand in line sometimes for hours for a chance to purchase cans and growlers of the day’s offering.
Rohan doesn’t brew the beer. He’s “the face of the brewery” and the “experience host.” The Tree House website describes Rohan as “boisterous, energetic, and relentlessly optimistic.” Customers might find him on any given day working the register and answering questions about the brewery. If he’s not at the brewery, he might be on the road making appearances on behalf of Tree House.
He expressed gratitude to his wife, Bridget, for her support while he focused on the growing business.
This is something that is so humbling, something I could never, ever have imagined.Dean Rohan, Alumnus and co-founder of Tree House Brewing Co.
“It’s a lot of hours. It’s a lot of work,” he said of starting a business. “If you love what you’re doing, you get involved in that work and that work is yours. It’s like your baby.”
Rohan also credited his parents with instilling a strong work ethic. “They taught me how to work until the work is done,” Rohan said. “And my mother taught me how to work so you can help people. … It’s driven my life, from being a plumber to being a physical therapist assistant.”
Rohan thanked supporters who attended the fundraiser at Tree House. The money raised will help support the needs of students and ensure a competitive workforce for the region.
“Thank you for coming out to Tree House,” Rohan said. “Thank you for helping to help people go to STCC.”
To make a gift to the STCC Foundation, visit stcc.edu/about-stcc/foundation.
To view a video of Dean Rohan accepting the award, visit STCC's YouTube channel.
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 7,700 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).
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
TOP PHOTO: STCC alumnus and Tree House Brewing Co. co-founder Dean Rohan, left, accepts the 2017 Alumni Impact Award from Frank Quigley, an alumnus and trustee at STCC.
BOTTOM PHOTO: Dean Rohan accepts his diploma from STCC President Dr. John B. Cook.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, jdanko@stcc.edu, (413) 755-4812