President Honored
President honored at '100 Men of Color' gala
ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ President George Timmons was honored Friday, Sept 12, as one of the “100 Men of Color” during a black-tie gala at The Bushnell Theater in Hartford, Conn.
The “100 Men of Color” awards ceremony, sponsored by The Archer Foundation, recognizes the contributions of men of color in education, business, government, entertainment, and service, and the impact they have made on the lives of people in Connecticut and western Massachusetts.
A Hartford native who now lives in West Springfield, President Timmons was chosen to speak on behalf of all 100 honorees as the 2025 class “valedictorian.”
“There was a time in my life when I would not have imagined standing before you tonight, he 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, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s president since July 2023, 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. He is the first African American man to serve as ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ president.
“We have all arrived here on different paths, with different stories, different blessings, and different challenges,” Timmons said. “But the common thread that binds us is that we all arrived here, and I, for one, am humbled by that journey.”
A portion of the proceeds from the annual gala support mentorship programs and scholarships for young men of color who graduate from high school and plan to attend college.
“Our goal is to provide financial support for programs that support the advancement of young men of color,” said June Archer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of the Archer Foundation. “On this day, we believe these 100 individuals should be honored for their achievements and celebrated for their accomplishments.”
The theme of this year’s gala, the 12th annual, was “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers.”
“This event,” Timmons said, “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.”
PHOTO: President George Timmons in his ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ office
