John was someone who took a chance on me 24 years ago. He was a mentor and a friend. So much of the good stuff in Western Mass and at community colleges across the country are the direct result of John's commitment, talent and hard work.
With quiet confidence that belied his position as Academic VP, John, along with President Andrew Scibelli, took a chance on me to continue the important work Jim had begun. While I had big shoes to fill following Dr Masi's accomplished tenure, John trusted my vision for taking the center forward. "Great work evolves through fresh perspectives," he told me the day STCC officially appointed me as the new director.
John's leadership style combined academic rigor with uncommon accessibility. He navigated the complex waters of NSF funding requirements with the same ease he showed chatting with nervous first-year faculty during lunch at The Blue Eagle restaurant around the corner from STCC. His door was always open, but his standards never wavered.
What made John exceptional wasn't just his willingness to take calculated risks on promising talent, but his genuine belief in the potential of community colleges to contribute meaningfully to society. In a system often overshadowed by larger universities, John advocated tirelessly for our place at the table.
Under John's supportive guidance, we built upon Jim Masi's foundation to take the center in new directions. That center became a launching pad for countless students and faculty across the country, many from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the sciences. John never sought credit, but his fingerprints remain on every breakthrough we achieved.
Twenty-four years later, John Dunn's legacy continues through the work of everyone who participated and benefited — a testament to what becomes possible when someone believes in your potential to carry important work forward.
John passed away December 4, 2021. I miss him and I think of him often.
