Jeff Blatnick Receiving Honorary Degree (May 17, 1987)

This photograph, taken during Commencement on May 17, 1987, shows Olympic Gold Medalist Jeff Blatnick receiving an honorary degree from Dr. Frank S. Falcone, the tenth president of Springfield College. To the left of Blatnick is Dr. Martin J. Anisman, the vice president of academic affairs. The event was held at the Springfield Civic Center (now called the MassMutual Center).Jeffrey C. Blatnick (July 26, 1957 – October 24, 2012) was an American super heavyweight Greco-Roman wrestler and sports commentator who graduated from Springfield College in 1979. He won two NCAA Division II heavyweight wrestling championships, as well as an Olympic gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling after battling back from cancer. A native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Dr. Falcone received his BS in history from the University of Wisconsin (1963), his MA in history from the University of Denver (1965), and his Ph.D. in Latin American history from the University of Massachusetts (1973). Falcone joined the faculty of Ithaca College in 1969 as an assistant professor of history. In 1975, he was appointed assistant to the president. The following year, he was named provost and assumed the duties of chief academic officer. In 1980, Falcone was named vice president and dean of Pace University’s College of White Plains. Within two years, he rose to the position of executive vice president. During this time, he attended Harvard University’s Institute of Educational Management and continued to teach history at both Ithaca and Pace. Falcone joined Springfield College in 1985. In April 1991, students followed the lead of faculty and approved a vote of no confidence, sixteen to two with one abstention. On January 8, 1992, he resigned. In 1993, he became president of Carroll University, where he remained for thirteen years