Culinary Arts Professor Warren Leigh was named “Educator of the Year” by the Center for the Advancement of Food Service Education, a national industry group.
Leigh, a professional chef and restaurateur, has been teaching at HCC for 15 years. He received his award June 21 at the 2023 CAFÉ Leadership Conference in Charleston, S.C. “It’s pretty cool,” said Leigh. “It’s nice to be recognized. It’s humbling.” Leigh also received honorable mention for CAFE’s annual “Community Outreach” award. In receiving the Educator of the Year award, Leigh, co-chair of the Culinary Arts program, was recognized for his part in designing the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute; re-imagining the culinary arts curriculum; creating a line cook training program in collaboration with the noncredit business and workforce division; and pushing forward on his concept for a mobile kitchen where students can learn food truck operations while also teaching the community about nutrition and healthy eating. “As a product of his work myself, I can attest to his superb teaching and knowledge,” HCC alum Matthew Enos ’19, now an executive sous chef at Johnny’s Bar and Grille in South Hadley, wrote in support of his mentor’s nomination. “Chef Leigh has given me a great stepping stone to launch a career in culinary.”
Chef Warren Leigh, right, with culinary arts student Sherleymary Santiago at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Political Positions
Before she took the microphone for her town hall forum at HCC on June 25, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren grabbed some private time with a few of her fans, including HCC alum Jeffery Anderson-Burgos ’15. Anderson-Burgos, a former president of the HCC Student Senate and graduate of the University of Massachusetts, is the administrative assistant for the Holyoke City Council and has long been involved in state and national politics. At a pre-event meet-and-greet in HCC’s Media Arts Center, Anderson-Burgos presented Sen. Warren with a pin celebrating Holyoke’s 150th anniversary that she immediately fastened to her blouse and wore for the duration of her visit. “It will never not be a special experience to have a little face time with U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren when she’s visiting Holyoke,” Anderson-Burgos wrote in a Facebook post the same day. “To have it be at the school where my life changed in many positive ways is even better.”
Jeffery Anderson-Burgos ’15 visits with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren before a town hall forum at HCC.
Ace for a King
In June, Josh King ’23 accomplished a feat no other HCC golfer had achieved in 52 years of competitive play. He made a hole in one, which was also his first ever. And he did it on a big stage — the final round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Div. III Men’s National Golf Championship. King’s ace came on the par-3 eighth hole at the Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua, N.Y. “The entire tournament felt surreal,” King said. “With other players shooting in the 60s and 70s, my nerves were so bad that all I could try to do was make decent contact. The tee box was marked at 158 yards, and the nicest 6 iron I’ve ever hit turned out to be perfect.” Teammate Dominik Rodrigo was on the tee box next to the green and saw King’s tee shot drop in. “It was very exciting,” said King, a visual art major at HCC now studying at Hampshire College. “Everyone was stoked.” HCC Athletic Director Tom Stewart, the NJCAA Division III golf chair, was at the scorer’s table, not far away. “The whole place went wild,” Stewart said. HCC has had a competitive golf team since 1971 and not a single ace in tournament play. “That’s a lot of years,” Stewart said.
Josh King ’23 after his hole in one (Photo courtesy of Dominik Rodrigo)
Loud and Proud
In June 2021, then-President Christina Royal raised the Pride flag over the HCC campus for the first time in its history. On Friday, July 14, 2023, a large crowd of students, faculty, and staff braved the rain to watch her do it again, for the third and last time, in what turns out was her last official act as president. This time, her fianceé (now wife) Karen MacGeorge joined her at the flag pole. “In so many ways, raising the flag is a symbolic gesture,” said Royal, HCC’s fourth president, the first woman, first bi-racial, and first queer person to hold that position. “That alone isn’t the action that creates a welcoming and inclusive environment, but symbolism is important along with action. We need all of it to create a safe environment where people can speak up and share their experiences so that we all have a comfortable place to live and coexist together.” After the flag-raising, she lingered for goodbyes. As of 11:59 p.m., she would be officially retired. “I can’t wait to see all the ways that HCC continues to grow,” she said. “And so I will always be excited to support the college, now as a community member and former president. I have so much love for this institution, and that love is because of all the work we’ve done together.”
Christina Royal, left, is joined by her partner Karen MacGeorge, and Renee Tastad, HCC assistant vice president of student affairs and dean of enrollment management, right, for the raising of the Pride flag on Royal’s last day as HCC president.
Historic Agreement
Representatives from American International College and Holyoke Community College signed a “historic” agreement that now allows HCC students to live in residence halls and apartments on the AIC campus in Springfield. “This is definitely a momentous event for both AIC and HCC,” said Sharale Mathis, HCC vice president of Academic and Student Affairs. “As we know, our students come in with a whole host of challenges, and it’s fortunate to have such a partnership with AIC that will help us address their basic needs. It’s exciting to be present now with the presidents of AIC and HCC to engage in this historic signing.” The agreement calls for AIC to discount their room rates for HCC students, making college housing available and affordable to community college students for the first time at AIC. “I think today is a hallmark on how public and private institutions truly should work together,” said AIC President Hubert Benitez. “This is a prime example of two teams, two institutions that have a similar mission of providing access and opportunity.” “This agreement does more than just provide housing for our students,” added then-HCC President Christina Royal. “It will also give them a taste of college life beyond HCC.”
AIC President Hubert Benitez and then-HCC President Christina Royal shake hands after signing a “historic” agreement in April 2023.
For the Future
HCC has received a pledge of more than $10 million, the largest single gift commitment in the college’s history and one of the largest gifts ever to any community college. The pledged gift is included in the estate plan of HCC alum Margaret “Peg” Laframboise Wendlandt ’58 and her husband, Gary Wendlandt, longtime HCC supporters and donors. The money, estimated to be at least $10 million, will go toward student scholarships and the college’s greatest needs. “Educationhas made a great deal of difference in our lives and how we have succeeded over the years,” Peg Wendlandt said a few years ago. “Gary and I both received scholarships to assist us in achieving our goals of education and feel fortunate that we can help others do the same.” The Wendlandts’ many gifts to the college in their lifetime already total more than $1 million and include donations to the President’s Student Emergency Fund and two endowed scholarships administered by the HCC Foundation. “Peg and Gary are truly extraordinary donors,” said Amanda Sbriscia, vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the HCC Foundation, “thinking about the needs students face today while also creating the conditions for future students to succeed.”
