Celebrating the Brown Cooper Health Sciences Center
By: Damon Markiewicz
As part of Homecoming 2024, the campus community came together to dedicate the Brown Cooper Health Sciences Center, and celebrate the achievement of the Advancing Humanics Campaign.
The festivities officially marked the completion of the campaign that started in 2018, and concluded at more than $53 million. The day was filled with appreciation for all of the benefactors who contributed and inspired hope and growth, and reinforced that the world needs Springfield College graduates living our Humanics philosophy.
The moment also officially recognized the generosity and support of Marenda Brown-Stitzer '78 and H. Todd Stitzer '74, H'07. The Brown Cooper Health Sciences Center secures that students will have the opportunity to learn in state-of-the-art, technology-rich classrooms, and immersive learning laboratories, with the primary focus of preparing the best healthcare practitioners, who have a common goal of caring for others.
Through Marenda’s leadership with Springfield College President Mary-Beth A. Cooper, together they envisioned and financed with the help of so many, the establishment of this very important mission-focused facility.
“As we were talking about the naming opportunities, both Marenda and I agreed that President Cooper’s name should also be right there with Marenda’s name, because it was through the leadership and vision of President Cooper that we have this beautiful facility,” explained Todd.
Springfield College represents a special place in the hearts of the Brown-Stitzer family, and as Marenda shared, “This Health Sciences Center represents who we are as a College, and it also symbolizes that our current faculty and students represent our future. Our family has a deep appreciation and love for Springfield College and we are so proud to be connected with the College.”
Marenda has been a member of the Springfield College Board of Trustees since 2017, and she is now in her first year as Chair of the Board.
“Marenda is a very special person, and she has always been committed to helping others, and it’s only fitting that her name is an association with the Health Sciences Center,” stated Todd. “Marenda has always demonstrated so much love and support for our family, and she is always providing service to others as part of her many community roles.”
Cross-collaboration between all of the represented academic programs located inside the Brown Cooper Health Sciences Center is a primary focus. Interprofessional education is essential to ensuring the College continues to provide future healthcare practitioners with a rich educational experience.
“It’s so important to have all of the health sciences programs together under one roof, creating greater collaboration across disciplines,” explained Elizabeth Anne Alicea-Torres, assistant professor of Occupational Therapy. “Having access to spaces like the Robotti Simulation Center, the Maker Space, the ADL suite, these areas all provide limitless opportunities for learning potential and research potential. The students and faculty can experience the power of interprofessional collaboration in this space.”
Alicea-Torres was able to provide an example of the immediate impact that the Brown Cooper Health Sciences Center has had on her when leading students.
“I was able to lead a pilot study in the ADL suite with my students focused on using a simulated environment to conduct home safety evaluations, and then apply that knowledge when they go to a community members home and assist,” explained Alicea-Torres. “The goal was to determine the impact of the simulation experience and record how it helped the students be prepared for their real-life practice. I have also been able to record simulation sessions that students can go back and watch. These teaching moments aren’t possible without this building.”
For physical therapy major Xavier Lockhart, Class of 2025, Graduate Class of 2027, his student experience has only been enhanced by the Brown Cooper Health Sciences Center. He is excited to continue his graduate studies for two more years in the new facility after he earns his undergraduate degree. Lockhart described just how special this learning environment is to himself, and his fellow students.
“Since my first year on campus, I witnessed the building go up and become a reality,” described Lockhart. “The best way to describe this building is, everything just flows well. The collaboration with people in other majors, the constant communication, it makes it so comfortable to learn as students. I know in my future profession; I will have to work with other health care professionals. This building now trains students for that. I don’t have these learning opportunities without the support of all of the individuals who made the Health Sciences Center possible and who supported the Advancing Humanics Campaign.”
Co-Chair of the Advancing Humanics Campaign and former Chair of the Board of Trustees Gregory C. Toczydlowski '89, H’18, followed Lockhart's comments, and it only reminded him how important Springfield College students are to our communities.
“Like President Cooper said at the start of the campaign, the world needs Springfield College students and graduates,” expressed Toczydlowski. “Through the dedication of so many individuals who share a love for Springfield College, ideas have become a great reality.”
And as it was described by William A. Burke III, Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2021-2024, “The Health Sciences Center represents care: the care our faculty give to our students, and the care our students will give to members of our community while working in their medical fields. This building is the beacon of our Humanics mission.”
