STCC Alumni Newsletter



June 2024

Community Connections

Dr. Marcus Ware ’02 came to Springfield Technical Community College as a 19-year-old feeling, in his words, “humbled.” He graduated in 2002 feeling transformed.

Today, more than 20 years later, Dr. Ware serves as superintendent of Chicopee Public Schools, a position he has held since July 1, 2023. It’s not unusual for him to step into a classroom to speak with high school students and offer them advice, which is to consider going to community college.

While enrolled at STCC, he discovered a love for the community college experience and realized he should have started there after graduating from high school.

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Dr. Marcus Ware '02

FROM STCC TO EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP: THE INSPIRING JOURNEY OF CHICOPEE’S SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

Ryan Laxton '24

Springfield Technical Community College student Ryan Laxton logged on the Stanford University website one spring day to check on his application to the prestigious school in California.

He could hardly believe what he saw. Stanford not only accepted the 24-year-old but offered a

financial aid package that covered most of the expenses.

At the time, Laxton enjoyed boxing and kept himself in shape by running several times a week. On July 5, 2021, Laxton went for a jog along Route 5 in Enfield, Conn., before his work shift. He experienced a life-altering event that would set him on a path of remarkable transformation. Laxton suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and collapsed. He was 21 years old.

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STCC GRADUATE RETURNS TO APPLY HIS ACTING SKILLS TO HELP HEALTH STUDENTS

At his job at Springfield Technical Community College, Deveir Cockett ’14 applies his degree from STCC in Digital Media Production Technology as well as his passion for acting to help students studying in a variety of health care disciplines, from nursing to respiratory care, to occupational therapy and more.

Sometimes Cockett acts out the part of a patient and lies in a bed located inside a bay at the SIMS Medical Center, which is the facility in Building 20 at STCC designed to reflect actual hospital scenarios.

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Deveir Cockett '14

Three STCC alumni named to ’40 Under Forty’ Class of 2024

Three Springfield Technical Community College alumni have joined BusinessWest’s “40 Under Forty” Class of 2024 in recognition of their career achievements and service to the community.

STCC congratulates Shirley Arriaga, Jennifer McGrath, and Vilenti Tulloch for being named to the

list of young, up-and-coming leaders in the community.

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IN MEMORIAM: RAY DIPASQUALE LEFT A LASTING LEGACY AT STCC

Ray DiPasquale, the president of Massasoit Community College in Brockton who passed away on April 4, served in several leadership positions from 1979 to 1998 at Springfield Technical Community College.

While he rose to become president of three community colleges, he spent the bulk of his 50-year career in higher education at STCC. He also spent decades serving the City of Springfield, working as a City Councilor and a School Board member, as well as running for mayor in 1991.

In 1979, DiPasquale joined STCC as Director of Admissions. He would rise through the ranks, helping to develop or re-envision departments and services at STCC, until leaving the college in 1998.

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STCC graduate finds inspiration to propel career and education forward

For Sinéad Murray, Springfield Technical Community College sparked a journey that brought her from Western Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., where she is focused on continuing her education and advancing in her career.

One day while working at the front desk at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, Murray happened

to meet STCC leaders who were staying at the hotel for a conference.

Murray, 33, who made her way to D.C. in order to attend Howard University, continues to work

toward a bachelor’s degree in business. She received her associate degree in Business

Administration from STCC in January 2017. She grew up in Springfield and graduated from The

MacDuffie School, a private college preparatory school in Granby.

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Alumni are one of STCC's greatest source of pride, and we would love to share your accomplishments! If you have a story you would like to share, please email or contact me.

Eunice Guidry

Manager of Advancement & Alumni Relations

(413) 755-4475

emguidry@stcc.edu

Rams Warrior

Alumni Network

Alumni Webpage

Even after graduation, STCC supports your efforts to transform your life. Whether you need help making that next step, want to continue to network and grow with your fellow alumni, or are ready to give back to the STCC community, this page has resources for you.

Join our Alumni Network which fosters community awareness of the contributions of STCC graduates and serves as a liaison between alumni and the College become a Rams Warrior and make an immediate and consistent impact on current and future STCC students today by making a monthly recurring gift.

Also visit the STCC Alumni webpage to see the many ways you can give back, grow and stay connected!