Nichols College has received a $25,000 gift from 1967 graduate James W. Coghlin Sr., chairman and co-founder of Westborough-based Coghlin Companies Inc., a family-owned engineering and manufacturing firm; along with his wife Nancy and their family, of the 15-40 Connection, a non-profit organization aimed at educating and empowering people about early cancer detection.
The James ’67 and Nancy Coghlin Endowed Scholarship is targeted to an incoming or transfer student from a four-year institution who has keenly given back to his/her school and/or community prior to college acceptance and intends to actively participate in the Nichols College campus community and graduate from Nichols. Special consideration is given to students who seek an opportunity to recommit to their education.
In addition, Coghlin challenged his fellow classmates last year with a gift of $50,000 to the Class of ’67 Endowed Scholarship, in honor of their 50th reunion.
“With these two recent scholarship gifts, Jim Coghlin affirms his commitment to Nichols College and our mission of transforming today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders,” said Nichols College President Susan West Engelkemeyer, Ph.D. “We are grateful for his own generous leadership and advocacy over many years, as a trustee and most loyal alumnus.”
Coghlin has served as a member of the Nichols College Board of Trustees for more than 30 years and is widely known for his generous support of many causes in addition to Nichols College and the 15-40 Connection. These include the United Way of Central Massachusetts; The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts; St. Rose of Lima Parish (Northborough); Worcester Academy; Worcester State University; Temple Emanuel Sinai; and St. John’s High School (Shrewsbury). He received the (Worcester) Telegram & Gazette’s prestigious Isaiah Thomas Award, which recognizes extraordinary public service, and has honorary degrees from Bay Path and Worcester State universities.
“I was given the opportunity to attend Nichols College as a transfer student, and it represented a second chance for me,” said Coghlin, who lives in Shrewsbury with his wife and has four children. “My intention is to give students today the same opportunity, to make a commitment to completing their education in a mentoring campus community that is focused on student success.”
The Coghlin scholarship is one of 38 new endowed scholarships created during the College’s Bicentennial Campaign. Earlier this year, Nichols announced that it received a $25,000 gift to endow a scholarship for undergraduate students at the College who are from the local area. The generous commitment was made by James L. Dunbar ’51, founder and chairman of The Dunbar Companies of Maryland.