The Dorothy F. McLoughlin Endowed Scholarship

Criteria: (Amount Equal to One Full Annual Tuition Award) The Dorothy F. McLoughlin Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to a female student majoring in Elementary Education who demonstrates a need for financial assistance. A student applying for this scholarship must include an essay with her application indicating her commitment to the teaching profession.

In the third grade, Dorothy “Dottie” McLoughlin, decided she wanted to become a teacher. After graduating from Worcester State Teachers College in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Dottie began her very satisfying and enjoyable 38-year teaching career while pursuing her master’s degree, which she successfully completed in 1956.

Dottie’s first position was at Indian Hill School where she welcomed a class of forty third graders! Because of the large class size, preparation was especially critical and Dottie found that the excellent and inspiring Worcester State faculty had prepared her quite well. As Dottie shared, “You had to be a good disciplinarian. You can’t teach if you can’t control the classroom.” That was a lesson Dottie heard many times over.

Successful teaching also required sociability and a genuine interest in one’s students. Dottie’s warm and friendly disposition with which she managed her classrooms over the years is still felt today amongst her former students. Many fondly recall Miss McLoughlin, her firm but nurturing manner, and the days spent in her class learning all types of exciting new information!

In 1981, Indian Hill School closed its doors and Dottie traveled to Nelson Place School, where she spent the next eleven years influencing, molding and enlightening young minds. Upon her retirement in 1992, Dottie’s smiling face and presence on the Worcester State campus were more evident as she made the time to become an even-more active alumna.

Dottie volunteers in the Alumni Office, serves on the Scholarship Tea Committee, is a Class Agent and co-chairs her class reunions. In 2002, Dottie most deservingly was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to Alma Mater, the highest non-degree recognition bestowed on an alumnus or alumna.

Yet, in keeping with the spirit that embodies Dottie, she credits Worcester State for her happy, successful and rewarding career. “The college gave me so much,” she said. And so, in honor of the 50th anniversary of her graduation from Worcester State, Dottie established this scholarship. “It’s a good feeling to be able to give back in this way and to help others who are starting out on the same path I followed,” she explained. “I hope that every recipient of my scholarship will have a rewarding and enjoyable career.”