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Donor Testimonials - Lackman

Donor Testimonials

Dorothy Gardiner Lackman '67

The Dorothy Gardiner Lackman '67 Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established with a significant endowed gift of $66,000 in December 2014 by three of Dorothy's children - Deborah Walthert, Steve Lackman and Nancy Flynn. The scholarship will assist nontraditional education majors at Eastern while creating an appropriate legacy for Dorothy, who passed away in 2009. After graduating from Eastern, Dorothy began her teaching career in the Eastford School System. In the early '70s she took over administration and teaching at the Pompey Hollow Cooperative Nursery School in Ashford.

Dorothy was a major proponent of innovation in early childhood education curriculum and worked to incorporate Montessori methods into her classrooms. She studied diligently to earn her own degree while raising five children.

Her daughter Nancy says, "Teaching young children suited Mom's personality perfectly. It allowed her to blend her warm nature and creative talents to present a wonderful initial school experience to many local children." The Lackman family hopes that the future recipients of this award share both Dorothy's love of learning and her determination to teach.