The Dolan and Regan Family Legacies Pay It Forward for Local Students
Lowell, MA – Since 2007, the Dolan and Regan Families have been involved with the Lowell High School Scholarship Program with The Alice Dolan Murphy Scholarship Fund and The Joseph M. Regan Memorial Scholarship Fund. Collectively they have given out over $13,000 in scholarships to 26 students through the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF.)
The scholarship program is made possible by a partnership between Lowell High School and the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. Scholarships are provided through the generous contributions of donors, many of whom are Lowell High School graduates themselves, families honoring a loved one, or local business leaders supporting their community.
The Dolan Family has presented their scholarship since 2007, and the Regan family has presented their scholarship since 2017. Joe and Kathy Regan have also served with GLCF as scholarship application reviewers for the Lowell High Scholarship program for eight years.
The Alice Dolan Murphy Scholarship was established for a nursing student at a four-year college. Wanting to meaningfully honor their mother’s life and career as a nurse, the Dolan Family—eight siblings and their spouses—came together to create her lasting tribute in 2007.
Daughter Mary Dolan Regan ‘77, said her ‘Mother would be happy to be honored in this way. She would be grateful that someone was getting a chance to get an education and this scholarship is helpful.’
Committed to her community through family, faith, friends and work and a lifelong resident of Lowell’s Centralville neighborhood, Alice, was a graduate of Lowell High (1940) and the St. John’s Nursing School (1943.) She spent her career as a Registered Nurse at the Beaconcrest Chronic Hospital in Lowell alongside dear friend and nurse Claire Murphy. Claire and Dan Murphy and Alice and her husband James were inseparable friends. After James died in 1962 and Claire’s passing in 1989, Alice and Dan found companionship, love and marriage with each other later in life.
‘My mother was all about putting the needs of others first. Being there for her family and friends no matter what,’ said son Jack Dolan, who worked as the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer at Lowell High when then Head of School Bill Samaras was ‘coordinating’ the nascent LHS scholarship program of $75,000 now valued at $7 million.
The Joseph M. Regan Memorial Scholarship Fund is designed for students pursuing STEM-related studies in science, math and/or technology. Joe graduated in 1939 from Lowell High and earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Boston College in 1942. He was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran serving four years in the South Pacific. He started teaching Math and Latin at Keith Academy (1946-1952), followed by a 30-year career at Lowell High School as a mentor, math teacher, Floor Master and Dean of Faculty from 1952 to 1981, when his life was cut short by lung cancer.
‘My dad was very humble, open-minded, and eschewed fanfare. When it came to his students, he would go the extra mile to support and encourage them through their challenges with the caveat that they had to show up for class,’ said daughter Kathy Regan ’76.
Kathy noted her dad would be humbled by this scholarship and would advise awardees to – ‘Use it wisely. Put it to good use.’
Dottie Naruszewicz Flanagan ’59, an officer of the Math Club, had Mr. Regan as an advisor as well as a teacher. ‘What a super, wonderful guy. Gentle and kind. He had the interest of the kids at heart.’
‘Keeping the memory of our father alive by this scholarship is rewarding to see all the bright, promising recipients on LHS Scholarship Night. It really renews our faith in the community and the world!’ said son Joe Regan ’74 and husband of Mary Dolan Regan.
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) provides opportunities to create a fund to establish your own charitable legacy. To learn more about funds at GLCF, contact Jay Linnehan or to learn more about creating your own LHS Legacy Scholarship contact Barbara Dunsford at 978-970-1600 or info@glcfoundation.org.
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation –Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 450 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of nearly $65 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $40 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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PHOTO 1: Photo of Alice Dolan Murphy, RN. The Alice Dolan Murphy Scholarship was established through GLCF for a Lowell High School student pursuing a nursing degree at a four-year college.
PHOTO 2: Photo of Kathleen and Joseph Regan from the LHS Girl Officers Ball. The Joseph M. Regan Memorial Scholarship Fund is designed for students pursuing STEM-related studies in science, math and/or technology.
