College Relations

Salem State College will honor Michael J. Agganis '66 with the dedication of Central Campus Building 3, which currently houses the SSC Enterprise Center and the Bookstore, in his name. On Tuesday, September 19 at 12 p.m., college officials, local dignitaries, Mr. Agganis and his family, will gather at the dedication ceremony to recognize Agganis' generous philanthropic support of his alma mater. His recent gift to the College is the largest in the College's history of giving from individuals and among the largest in Massachusetts' state college history. For more information about the dedication ceremony contact Institutional Advancement at (978) 542-7590.

Pictured from top clockwise: Jonathan Woodman, Chair, SSC Assistance Corporation, Jacob Segal, Chair SSC Foundation, Gregory Agganis, Madeline Agganis, Michael J. Agganis, President Harrington, Richard C. Bane, Chair, Board of Trustees and Terry L. Conrad, Acting Vice President for Insitutional Advancement.

BIOGRAPHY OF MICHAEL J. AGGANIS '66

Michael "Mike" J. Agganis earned his bachelor's degree from Salem State College in 1966, majoring in business education. Following graduation he continued his studies at Boston University, where he earned a master's degree and is currently enrolled in a doctoral program. He also received a master's in business administration from Suffolk University in 1978.

In the late '60s Mike returned to his alma mater, serving as an administrator/counselor for more than 10 years, helping to establish SSC's first counseling center. During this time he also developed his first business, the Agganis Construction Company.

Since 1982 Mike has actively pursued his passion of professional baseball and is presently owner of the Eastern League AA Akron Aeros, an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Over the last four seasons his Double A team has ranked #1 three times and stands fifth in overall attendance in all of minor league baseball.

Despite a successful career in professional baseball, education is Mike's first love. Guided by his philosophy to integrate minor league baseball with family, children, community and education, Mike has dedicated his career and generously contributed his resources to innovative educational and community-based projects. Among the beneficiaries of his philanthropy are the Coming Together Project to improve race relations in Akron, Ohio, the Summit Education Initiative to support school improvements in Summit County, Ohio, the Agganis Field of Dreams to enrich existing little league fields in Northeastern Ohio, and the Challenger Learning Center for the creation of a distance learning center in Ohio.

Recently he established the Michael J. Agganis Entrepreneurship Fund to support Salem State College School of Business activities that provide the value, skills and characteristics for those seeking economic success through entrepreneurship. The gift that established this fund is the largest in the College's history of giving from individuals and among the largest in Massachusetts' state college history. Mike also supports the Agganis Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships to students from Lynn Classical and Lynn English high schools.