President of HCC honored at ‘100 Men of Color’ awards ceremony

HARTFORD, Conn. (WWLP) – Holyoke Community College President George Timmons was honored at the ‘100 Men of Color’ awards ceremony and gala last Friday.

The event was held at The Bushnell Theater in Hartford and was sponsored by The Archer Foundation. The ceremony celebrated the contributions of men of color in fields such as education, business, and government, and recognized their impact on the Connecticut and western Massachusetts communities.

The theme of the 12th annual gala was “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers.” President Timmons was selected to speak as the 2025 class “valedictorian” out of all 100 honorees.

“There was a time in my life when I would not have imagined standing before you tonight,” Timmons said. “Growing up right here in the north end of Hartford, raised by my grandmother, I wasn’t sure college was even in the cards for me. My grandmother taught me the value of education, she showed me the value of a strong work ethic. But it wasn’t just her wisdom that got me here. Like many of you, I am successful today because people saw something in me and cared about my future.”

Timmons, a Hartford native who now lives in West Springfield, was named president of HCC in 2023 and is the first African American man to serve as president in the college’s history. He holds a bachelor’s degree in financial management from Norfolk State University, a master’s degree in higher education from Old Dominion University, and a Ph.D. in higher education from Bowling Green State University.

“This event is so important because it showcases what young people – especially young men of color – need to see: that success comes in many forms, that leadership looks like us, and that their dreams are not just possible, but inevitable with the right support and determination,” Timmons said.

A portion of the proceeds raised during the 100 Men of Color gala will support local mentorship programs and scholarships for young men of color who graduate from high school and are planning to go to college.