Professor John Wakelin named 2025 Joseph J. Deliso, Sr. Endowed Chair at STCC

Professor John Wakelin, seated, with from left Drs. John B. Cook, Miah Dreger and Christopher Thuot.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College honored John Wakelin, professor of Digital Media Production and chairperson of the Technical Arts and Design Department, as an outstanding faculty member who demonstrates his commitment to student success inside and outside the classroom.  

Professor Wakelin was named the 2025 Joseph J. Deliso, Sr. Endowed Chair during STCC’s Faculty and Staff Professional Day on Aug. 28, 2025.

The endowed chair recognizes excellence in teaching and a commitment to the college’s mission. The award was established in 1993 by the Deliso family to honor the late Joseph J. Deliso, Sr., an industrialist and the first chairman of the STCC Board of Trustees.

Each year, faculty are nominated by their colleagues and invited to apply. Honorees are ultimately selected by the STCC Foundation Executive Committee. The honor comes with a $1,500 award for professional development and an additional $1,500 for the recipient’s department to carry out a project that benefits students.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Christopher Thuot praised Wakelin as an exemplary teacher and colleague.

 

Professor Wakelin has the reputation as an outstanding teacher and an active, engaged and supportive colleague Dr. Christopher Thuot, Vice President of Academic Affairs at STCC

“Professor Wakelin has the reputation as an outstanding teacher and an active, engaged and supportive colleague,” Thuot said. “Student engagement is key to John’s teaching philosophy. As much as expertise in media studies is critical to his teaching, he believes that students themselves play a key role in helping their peers learn the knowledge and skills of the industry. This approach helps Professor Wakelin’s students develop a sense of belonging and shared purpose.”

Professor John Wakelin sits in a chair that was presented to him as part of a ceremony recognizing him as an outstanding faculty member.

Thuot also highlighted Wakelin’s leadership in the relocation of a new comprehensive lab and learning space for the Digital Media Production department on campus.  At a project cost of $1.5 million, this set of programs includes Media Production, Digital Photography, Animation, Social Media, and Graphic Design, all now located in Putnam Hall/Building 17.  The space includes state-of-the-art equipment, technology and software found in media outlets across the region.

Reflecting on the 2025 honor, Wakelin said, “I am deeply humbled to receive the Joseph J. Deliso, Sr. Endowed Chair. Teaching at STCC has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’m constantly inspired by the creativity, resilience and drive of our students. This award is not just a recognition of my work, but a reflection of the incredible community we’ve built together – faculty, staff and students alike – to support student success.”

The Joseph J. Deliso, Sr. Endowed Chair is one of STCC’s highest faculty honors. In addition to supporting professional growth, the award represents an investment from the STCC Foundation in faculty excellence and highlights the important role professors play in student transformation and community partnerships.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu