'A champion for HCC'
HCC alum Mychal Connolly '04 receives Distinguished Service Award
Springfield entrepreneur Mychal Connolly received the Distinguished Service Award from Holyoke Community College at its 75th anniversary commencement June 4.
A 2004 graduate of HCC, Connolly is co-founder of Stinky Cakes, a newborn baby gift company, and creator and chief brand ambassador of StandOutTruck.com, a digital mobile advertising and marketing agency.
"Myke grew up in the Bahamas and has always been driven to follow his dreams," said President Christina Royal at the June 4 ceremony held at the MassMutual Center.
A self-professed "serial entrepreneur," Connolly studied visual arts at HCC, where he was also a DJ for WCCH, the college radio station, played tennis, and served on the Student Senate. While volunteering at an event one evening, he met HCC alum Michael Kittredge, the founder of Yankee Candle Company.
"Myke was inspired by Mr. Kittredge that day and has been passionate about paying it forward ever since," Royal said. "He credits HCC not only for providing him with a pathway to an affordable quality education, but also for connecting him to many of his mentors who were instrumental in his entrepreneurial beginnings."
Connolly has served as an alumni mentor for the HCC Alumni Champions Mentorship Network, and last year established an annual scholarship through the HCC Foundation for business and marketing majors. He has also worked as a volunteer for HCC's annual "Together HCC – Drive to Change Lives" fundraising campaigns.
"Myke can be found talking about the impact of a Holyoke Community College education all across our region – in boardrooms, with aspiring leaders, and all along the streets of western Massachusetts thanks to the Stand Out Truck," Royal said. "He is a champion for HCC and we are pleased to celebrate his service to the college by recognizing him as this year's Distinguished Service Award winner."
PHOTO: President Christina Royal presents the 2022 Distiinguished Service Award to alum Mychal Connolly at Commencement on June 4.
