Donation to help fund new library learning commons at BCC Attleboro campus

A $1 million gift from the Robert F. Stoico/Firstfed Charitable Foundation will fund the innovative, new Stoico/Firstfed Library Learning Commons at the Bristol Community College Attleboro campus.

The generous gift will help centralize the campus’s academic support services and library into one convenient, specialized location. This is the largest donation the college has ever received for the Attleboro location and distinguishes the Robert F. Stoico/Firstfed Charitable Foundation as the institution’s second largest donor to date.

At the Stoico/Firstfed Library Learning Commons, students will have the opportunity to meet with an academic or career advisor, connect with an academic tutor or reference librarian, explore the college’s collection of printed and digital library resources or collaborate with classmates on projects or coursework.

“The college is very grateful to the Robert F. Stoico/Firstfed Charitable Foundation for its tremendous support, for more than 20 years, as partners in promoting a college-going culture in our region,” said Laura L. Douglas, president of Bristol Community College. “The Robert F. Stoico/Firstfed Charitable Foundation’s gift will enable Bristol to provide the Attleboro community with direct access to innovative learning resources and support services for a high-quality and affordable education.”

Robert F. Stoico/Firstfed Charitable Foundation Executive Director Cecilia Viveiros noted that Founder Robert F. Stoico served as chairman, president and CEO of Firstfed America Bancorp, Inc. for more than 30 years, during which time the financial services company grew to more than 40 locations throughout New England and the mid-Atlantic states. While the financial services company eventually merged in 2004, Stoico maintained the Charitable Foundation as a way to continually enhance those communities that contributed to the success of the company.

The Learning Commons concept multiplies the reach of the location’s existing impactful support services by streamlining the sometimes challenging experience for students seeking academic resources, through the centralization and collaboration of the college’s library, writing, tutoring and academic support centers.

Bristol Community College opened the Attleboro location at the site of the former Texas Instruments facility at 11 Field Road in 2008. The innovative campus includes a diverse population of students from a wide geographic area, including the Greater Attleboro area and Rhode Island.