HCC Marks 80th
Help us celebrate HCC's 80th anniversary
Holyoke Community College will celebrate its 80th anniversary during the college’s annual fall Welcome Back Barbecue on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
The barbecue, with free food, games, music, and giveaways, begins at 11 a.m. in the HCC Courtyard.
At 11:30 a.m., President George Timmons and the HCC Board of Trustees will mark the college’s 80th year with short remarks and the cutting of an anniversary cake prepared by the Koffee Kup Bakery in Chicopee, followed by the distribution of slices – and anniversary cupcakes – to students, faculty, and staff.
Holyoke Community College was founded in September 1946 as Holyoke Graduate School, with classes conducted in the evenings at the old Holyoke High School on Sargeant Street. The name was changed to Holyoke Junior College in 1947 and to Holyoke Community College in 1964 when it joined the Massachusetts community college system.
In 1968, a fire destroyed the main college building downtown. HCC opened in its new location on Homestead Avenue in 1974.
The 1946-1947 academic year was the college’s first. At 80 years, HCC is the oldest community college in Massachusetts.
The fall semester officially began on Sept. 8.
The Welcome Back Barbecue also marks the beginning of HCC’s recognition of Latinx Heritage Month, which is recognized nationally as Hispanic Heritage Month and runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
PHOTOS: Students enjoy the day at HCC's Welcome Back Barbecue in 2025.
