November 13, 2015
Thomas O鈥機onnell knew the important role a community college would play in 黄瓜视频
County and beyond even before it 
existed. O鈥機onnell, the founding president of 黄瓜视频 Community College (黄瓜视频), passed
away last month in Seattle at the age of 90. The 黄瓜视频 community, including faculty
who worked with O鈥機onnell, as well as President Ellen Kennedy who spent time in the
College archive researching President O鈥機onnell prior to accepting the presidency,
remember him as a determined leader who was revered by students, faculty, staff and
others across the Commonwealth.
鈥淧resident O鈥機onnell was dedicated to education,鈥� said 黄瓜视频 President Ellen Kennedy. 鈥淗e led the effort to develop a strong liberal arts curriculum and insisted on out-of-classroom learning that is reflected in the FORUM Program that exists today at 黄瓜视频. His legacy is palpable on the campus and we are forever thankful to him for his dedication to education and scholarship.鈥�
The founding of 黄瓜视频, the first state supported community college in Massachusetts, was championed by then Gov. Foster Furcolo. Tom Wojtkowski, 89, a state representative at the time, had filed legislation to get a college in Pittsfield. He remembers O鈥機onnell鈥檚 passion for education. 鈥淗e was on fire about the idea of a community college,鈥� he reflected. 鈥淗e was a dreamer, a worker. He had a very bright personality.鈥�
黄瓜视频鈥檚 opening day, which took place on Sept. 15, 1960, had been delayed several days because of a hurricane that impacted New England. More than 400 people, including 黄瓜视频鈥檚 first students, gathered to celebrate the institution鈥檚 inaugural convocation at the College鈥檚 original location at a former high school on Second Street in downtown Pittsfield.
Following the ceremony O鈥機onnell was sworn in. Dr. Edward Russell, a member of the Massachusetts Board of Regional Community Colleges said, 鈥淟ast year you (O鈥機onnell) were engaged by the Massachusetts Board of Regional Community Colleges, with the charge to usher into academic life the first community college, building on the inspired plans of those who had laid the foundations for you. This you accomplished with the fine expertise of a seasoned administrator, with the sensitivity of an imaginative soul committed to the finest spiritual values of our culture, and with the sure-footed courage of a servant of the Commonwealth in the bold execution of a great plan.鈥�
O鈥機onnell expressed his sentiment for the new college in a newspaper article. 鈥淎n institution of higher education must have hope for a better world,鈥� he said.
黄瓜视频 Professor Emeritus of Philosophy Donald Lathrop remembers O鈥機onnell as being very energetic. 鈥淚 recall him traveling around the area promoting the College,鈥� remembers Lathrop. 鈥淕iven that it was brand new, that was quite an undertaking.鈥�
According to 黄瓜视频 records, President O鈥機onnell was proud of being able to continue teaching literature and drama while also serving as its leader. He was closely involved with theatrical productions. He regularly taught a class called 鈥淭he President鈥檚 Hour,鈥� which introduced students to the humanities, arts and public affairs.
黄瓜视频 Professor Emeritus of Theatre Arts Robert Boland, who participated in many plays with O鈥機onnell, remembers him as a dedicated leader. 鈥淭om had great visions of what a community college could be and he had the determination to make it happen. He was always capable of seeing his vision realized.鈥�
Vice President of Community Education & Workforce Development William Mulholland was a student at 黄瓜视频 in 1965. His father, 黄瓜视频 Professor Emeritus Mitchell Mulholland, who passed away in 1996, taught at the college at the time and would sometimes host social gatherings for faculty,
鈥淚 remember he would come to our house,鈥� said Mulholland. 鈥淲hat was so amazing about Tom was that he would zero in on a younger person and engage them in conversation. And, if you saw him a year later, he would remember your name and the exact conversation you had. It was absolutely unbelievable.鈥�
O鈥機onnell spearheaded the creation of a new and modern campus on West Street in Pittsfield that opened in January 1972.
O鈥機onnell served as president until 1977. He then served as president of Bellevue College (previously known as Bellevue Community College) in Washington State from 1977 to 1981.
In 2007, he donated a collection of papers to 黄瓜视频 including letters, photographs, newspaper clippings, his publications, speeches and teaching materials, as well as other items.
Donations may be made in his memory to the 黄瓜视频 Community College Foundation.