STCC Establishes Student Scholarship In Memory of Leonard J. Collamore
Leonard J. Collamore, the third president of Springfield Technical Community College, will be honored through a student scholarship established in his memory at the college.
Each year one or more students will be assisted in their college education through the scholarship, which will be awarded at the annual Honors Convocation ceremony, held the evening before commencement.
Collamore, who passed away on January 31, was a longtime City Councilor in Springfield, and then a member of the Hampden County Commission. He had served as the chief aide to Mayor Charles Ryan, during Ryan’s first terms of office in the 1960s.
In addition to his political service to the region, Collamore taught history at Springfield Technical Community College for more than 30 years, focusing on western civilization and European history, and retiring in 1997 with the designation of Professor Emeritus. In 1981-1983 he was called upon to serve as Interim President of the college.
Collamore was well known for his interest in Christopher Columbus and accumulated a variety of books and memorabilia about the explorer.
He was a creator, producer, writer, and judge of the award-winning high school quiz show, As Schools Match Wits. His breadth of knowledge and fascination with diverse facts was shown in his 1978 book The Quiz Game.
The new scholarship at STCC will be awarded to a student who plans to continue his or her education toward a bachelor’s degree in history or political science.
Anyone wishing to donate to the endowment for the scholarship may send a check made out to the STCC Foundation, with a notation referring to the Collamore Scholarship, to William Kwolek, Director, STCC Foundation, One Armory Square, Springfield, MA 01105.