SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A $1 million check was presented to Springfield Technical Community College, the largest philanthropic gift received by the college in the past 15 years. Middle school students attend STEM week at Holyoke Community College This funding from the MassMutual Foundation will provide significant support for the college's programs particularly the School of Health and Patient Simulation. Health programs will move out of Building 20, an 83-year-old structure with a history of emergency repairs. It houses 13 associate degrees and five certificate programs as well as the Sims Medical Center. Among their health programs are nursing, dental hygiene, physical therapy and surgical technology. Almost all programs will move to Scibelli Hall or Building 2. As healthcare careers are in high demand across the region, STCC hopes this upgrade will help fill the gap for the necessary resources and equipment needed to provide students with practical training and experience in their chosen field. With this support, it is said students will have a greater chance of success in their future careers in the healthcare industry. Representatives from the MassMutual Foundation take a tour of the Surgical Technology operating room at STCC. (Courtesy of STCC)Representatives from the MassMutual Foundation observe a patient simulator demonstration at STCC. (Courtesy of STCC)Leaders from Springfield Technical Community College and the MassMutual Foundation join together to celebrate a $1 million gift to STCC. (Courtesy of STCC) “We cannot express enough gratitude to the MassMutual Foundation for this leadership award, which continues our momentum for relocating the School of Health and Patient Simulation,” STCC President John B. Cook said. “This gift is a remarkable investment in our regional workforce and will have a deep impact on students enrolled in essential health programs at STCC.” “The MassMutual Foundation is proud to award this grant to STCC for this very important initiative,” said Dennis Duquette, President & CEO of the MassMutual Foundation. “Through this vital work, STCC not only provides hundreds of students with state-of-the art medical training, but the health services sector of our local economy will benefit tremendously when STCC graduates are hired. We are thrilled to help them relocate and update the School of Health and Patient Simulation, and look forward to seeing the impact this will have on both current and future generations of students in the greater Springfield area.” The total estimated project cost to relocate the school is $50 million. The project is expected to be completed by 2027 Local News Headlines Springfield Partners for Community Action host financial literacy workshop for veterans Man arrested for exposing himself on flight to Boston Tensions rise at State House over ballot question 1 State House celebrates Diwali WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.