STCC helps launch educational journey for Demetrion family

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Growing up in Springfield, Tom Demetrion ‘72 was the first in his family to consider going to college. He didn’t hesitate to choose Springfield Technical Community College, which adopted its current name in 1969, only a few years before Tom became a student.

Tom’s younger brother Ed Demetrion ’80, ’81 followed in his footsteps. Ed enrolled at STCC in the late 1970s and graduated with two associate degrees.

Ed Demetrion was not the last in their family to choose STCC. His son, Jonathan Demetrion ‘16, heard about STCC from his father. Jonathan knew his uncle was an alumnus and served in law enforcement, a career he himself was interested in pursuing.

“STCC has always been affordable – then and now,” Ed Demetrion told his son. “It’s also a place to get a great education, and you will have a wonderful experience.”

Jonathan enrolled at STCC where he earned a Criminal Justice degree in 2016. He then transferred to Westfield State University and graduated with two bachelor’s degrees. Today, he works as a teacher in Holyoke.

For the Demetrions, STCC served as a starting point to career and educational opportunities. In interviews, they reflected on the transformative power of a community college.

STCC has always been affordable – then and now. It’s also a place to get a great education, and you will have a wonderful experience. Ed Demetrion, STCC graduate who earned two degrees

Dr. Karen-Louise Walker, Assistant Vice President of Advancement at STCC, said since its founding STCC has been deeply committed to opening doors to better opportunities for the community.

“It’s inspiring to see how STCC has touched one family over the course of two generations,” Walker said. “I’m proud that our institution plays a pivotal role in supporting families like the Demetrions. We believe that when we support our students, we uplift entire families and strengthen our community. The Demetrions certainly exemplify that.”

How STCC left a mark on Tom Demetrion

“It’s a great system for a poor kid from Six Corners (neighborhood in Springfield),” Tom Demetrion said of community colleges. “My parents didn’t graduate from high school, so I had very little help. I needed to figure out how to learn and take notes, how to study. Going to STCC got me into a smaller setting. You can get together with your professor on a one-on-one basis.”

Tom Demetrion earned his associate degree in Liberal Arts Transfer from STCC and later transferred and received a bachelor’s from Western New England College (now Western New England University) and a master’s from the University of Dallas. He also earned a Master Police officer certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCLOSE).

He worked as a police officer in Springfield for several years in the 1980s until accepting a position with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Tom Demetrion moved to Texas in the 1990s with his wife and worked for the sheriff’s department before becoming chief of police. His next law enforcement position was in war-torn Kosovo. “I went there as part of the United Nations mission and did a year and a half there as part of the U.N. International Police Task Force,” he said.

“I put my associate and bachelor’s to work. I couldn’t go without those degrees,” he said. “I thank STCC for that.”

After returning from Kosovo, Tom Demetrion interviewed for a substitute teaching position, but ended up getting hired as a full-time teacher. He taught for the next 20 years.

Demetrion described how STCC inspired him as a teacher. He recalled that STCC offered many elective classes, from trades to academics. He found a love for art and history while taking classes at STCC.

“I put art into a lot of my lessons, which is good especially for the kids who are struggling to learn. They can visualize a picture of what I’m teaching easier than just words or reading. I put art in as many of my lesson plans as possible, and I learned that love of art from STCC.”

When teaching history, he has mentioned Shays’ Rebellion, the armed tax revolt that took place a few years after the Revolutionary War on the Springfield Armory, where STCC is located.

“You’re still in my classrooms, even today,” he said about STCC.

He retired from full-time teaching, but today does consulting and finds himself in the classroom from time to time. During his career as a teacher, he applied for and received two Fulbright scholarships which allowed him to teach in Japan for two summers. He said he would never have received the prestigious scholarship if he had not started at STCC.

Ed Demetrion got serious about studying at STCC

Tom’s brother Ed Demetrion was not a serious student in high school, but through his military service and experience at STCC he discovered a passion for learning and a love of history.

“I wanted to have fun,” he said, recalling his days at Trade Vocational High School, now known as Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, where he was voted best dressed, most talkative, class artist and class clown.

Ed Demetrion admitted he wasn’t ready for college when he first attended STCC right after high school. He left college and joined the military. While training in the Army, he realized the importance of education. He returned to STCC while still serving in the Reserve. He served 1975-1990.

“I studied hard because I wanted to show people I can do it,” he said. “And STCC gave me every opportunity to do it. That’s why I love this school. Every time I’m here, I think I’m home.”

He cited a consumer behavior class as his favorite and has fond memories of professors who inspired him. “I had a great experience here,” he said.

Ed Demetrion earned excellent grades at STCC and graduated with two associate degrees, one in Graphic Communication and Photography (1980) and the other in Business Administration (1981). His education prepared him for a successful career in printing, advertising and sales.

He was proud to graduate with Honors, especially when he thought about his days in high school as an average student. His STCC experience taught him the importance of hard work, resilience and making connections to achieve success.

A Wilbraham resident, he has served as vice president of sales at TigerPress for the past 10 years. He had worked at another printing company for several decades before joining East Longmeadow-based TigerPress, which offers digital printing, offset printing and custom paperboard packaging.

STCC offers a program in graphic communications and photography, which is a career pathway to printing companies like TigerPress.  Students in the two-year associate degree program can choose digital photography, graphic design or web and advertising design. One-year certificate programs also are available in digital photography, digital publishing and graphic arts entrepreneurial.

In his career, Ed Demetrion has looked at resumes when considering job candidates. He is impressed when a job seeker comes from STCC.

“We will hire STCC graduates,” he said. “If I’m hiring to fill a position and I find out an applicant came from STCC, I will definitely want to talk to them.

“STCC gives you a solid base,” Demetrion said. “I know STCC offers a high-quality education and saves you a lot of money, which is why I encouraged my son, Jon, to attend.”

Jonathan Demetrion enjoyed the close-knit nature of STCC

After graduating from STCC, Jonathan Demetrion transferred to Westfield State University and earned two bachelor’s degrees, one in Criminal Justice (2018) and another in History (2021). He decided to pursue a career in teaching. He works at Positive Regard Network, a school for special learning needs.

“One of the highlights of STCC was that all of the classrooms were very close to each other. The professors were very helpful,” said Jon Demetrion, who lives in South Hadley. “I chose criminal justice because I was interested in investigation.”

He mentioned his uncle, Tom, worked in law enforcement and influenced him.

“My father supported the idea of going to STCC,” he said. “I thought to myself if I get an associate, then I can get a bachelor’s in two years rolling over the credits.”

The first Demetrion to go to college, Tom said he is proud that STCC has become a part of the family legacy and is filled with gratitude for the opportunities afforded to him, his brother and nephew.

“A whole world opened up to me because of a school like STCC, which allowed a poor kid like me to be able to start my journey of education,” he said. “I fell in love with learning, and I still have a love of learning.”

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

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

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