Kathy Waltz '70

After Kathy Waltz '70 retired from elementary school teaching in the Scranton School District in 2011, she began to think there should be a place to leave a name other than a tombstone.

She thought about the bond she shared with her mother Anna Dougherty McLaughlin '30. Both graduated from East Stroudsburg University with degrees in elementary education.

Waltz also felt very fortunate in that the state of Pennsylvania awarded her enough scholarship money so that she owed very little after graduation, so realizing her good fortune, Waltz created two scholarships for ESU students majoring in early childhood and elementary education.

Both are named for her mother and herself, the Kathryn McLaughlin Waltz '70 and

Anna Dougherty McLaughlin '30 Annual Scholarship, and the Kathryn McLaughlin Waltz '70

and the Anna Dougherty McLaughlin '30 Endowed Scholarship.

"I wanted to do something in her memory and in mine," Waltz said.

Waltz made a provision in her will to fund her endowed scholarship, thereby making Waltz a current member of the 1893 Society. Membership to the 1893 Society is open to individuals who have established an endowment fund at the ESU Foundation and/or named the Foundation as a beneficiary in their estate plans, such as a will, living trust, life insurance policy, retirement account, donor-advised fund or charitable trust

The best thing about Waltz's time spent at East Stroudsburg University was the opportunity to meet a variety of people from different places.

"I wouldn't have if I had stayed home," she said. "I never saw a lacrosse game before, and we didn't have soccer here in Scranton."

Waltz's enthusiasm for meeting new people has continued into retirement.

"I do a lot of traveling, I'm active in the teacher's union, and I get together with friends," said Waltz.

Waltz especially likes riverboat cruises and has also visited Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Greenland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Greece, France, and is planning to visit Germany in May 2020.

Waltz continues to keep in touch with ESU by attending events such as the 1893 Society President's Garden Party, the Scholarship Dinner, and the President's Gala.

To learn more about the 1893 Society, please visit our website at www.esufoundationlegacy.org and click on The 1893 Society. You may also contact Shelley A. Speirs '92, Director of Major and Planned Gifts at 570-422-3333.