Coghlin Brothers Awarded Honorary Degrees
May 4, 2015
Worcester State University presented honorary degrees to the late Edwin B. “Ted” Coghlin Jr. and his brother James W. Coughlin Sr., who are well known in the Worcester area for their contributions to many local charitable organizations that help improve lives in the community, particularly youth. Accepting the award on behalf of Ted Coghlin were his wife, Maureen, and his daughter Susan Mailman.
The degrees were presented at the annual Academic Achievement Awards ceremony at Mechanics Hall in downtown Worcester on Monday, May 4. The highest-ranking students in each of the academic disciplines, nominated by department faculty, were honored at the event for their dedication and success. Special awards were also presented during ceremony, including the Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan ’55, USMC Ret. Awards, the Next Big Idea Award, the John J. Binienda Sr. Public Service Award, and the Ella Mae Whitney Award.
About the Coghlins:
The late Edwin B. “Ted” Coghlin Jr. and his brother, James W. Coghlin Sr., are well known in the Worcester area for their selfless leadership contributions to many local community and charitable organizations that make a difference in the lives of people, particularly youth.
Respected and influential leaders, both have received many awards and honors for their passionate support of service to their community, including the Worcester Telegram & Gazette’s prestigious Isaiah Thomas Award, which recognizes extraordinary public service. Ted received the award in 2004, Jim received it in 2008, and—as an example of how public service is a legacy in the Coghlin family—their father Edwin B. Coghlin Sr. received the same award in 1963.
Astute businessmen, Ted and Jim enjoyed many years successfully co-leading and co-mentoring the now fourth-generation entities that make up the Coghlin Companies, as well as lending their business acumen to a variety of for-profit and non-profit organizations. By design, however, their philanthropic interests took very different paths, thereby reaching many more people in need.
Ted, who died in December 2014, was a registered professional engineer and treasurer of Coghlin Electrical Contractors, Inc. and Coghlin Network Services, Inc. He was a dedicated and active alumnus of WPI, and received honorary degrees from Anna Maria and Nichols Colleges.
Ted’s belief in the community and the future of young lives was the driving force behind his community service, including his involvement in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), the Boys & Girls Clubs, several area colleges, and Shrewsbury Public Schools. He had decades-long involvement with the Mohegan Council of the BSA, and was the motivating force behind expansion efforts at Treasure Valley Scout Reservation in Rutland, Mass. All of these involvements demonstrated his great love for educating young people.
Ted served on the advisory board of the Worcester Vocational Schools for more than 50 years, including 20 years as chairman. Ted successfully lobbied for financial and political support for the construction of a new Worcester Technical High School (WTHS), the largest municipal project in the city’s history. A staunch advocate, he personally raised more than $3 million in donations for the cause. Ted’s vision, through the establishment of the Skyline Technical Fund, ensures the school’s programs continue to be state-of-the-art for future generations.
Today, WTHS boasts national honors and awards. In June 2014, Ted was recognized at the school’s graduation by President Barack Obama for his outstanding service to the vocational education system, who called Ted the “Godfather of WTHS.”
Worcester State University awarded Ted the Community Service Award at the 2005 Commencement exercises and he was honored at the 2006 Worcester State’s Scholarship Tea.
Ted and his wife of 57 years, Maureen, have four children and six grandchildren.
Jim is chairman of Coghlin Cos., Inc., which includes subsidiaries Columbia Tech (contract manufacturing) and Cogmedix (medical devices). He is a graduate of Nichols College and serves his alma mater on the Board of Trustees. He has received an honorary doctorate degree from Bay Path University.
Jim’s generous philanthropy has touched many within the community, and includes work with the United Way of Central Massachusetts, Nativity School of Worcester, American Red Cross, YWCA, Visiting Nurses Association, Massachusetts Easter Seals, and Memorial Hospital.
An especially ardent supporter of cancer causes, Jim has raised more than $6 million for various aspects of cancer research, care, and treatment. As a result of this work, he became aware of a shocking statistic—cancer survival rates for people aged 15 to 40 had barely improved since 1975. After discovering that a prime culprit is late diagnosis, Jim looked for an organization to support that empowered this age group with the life-saving advantage of early cancer detection. He found none. Jim talked to his family and explained that he thought they had a calling to do something about this problem, and together they founded the 15-40 Connection in 2008. Today, Jim’s passion is changing the way people think about cancer by asking the question, “Would you recognize a cancer symptom?” Recognizing a cancer symptom and knowing when to act saves and changes lives.
Jim’s relationship with Worcester State University has evolved over the years through his leadership giving to our scholarship program and his time spent advocating for our institution, encouraging public-private partnerships.
Jim and his wife, Nancy, have been married 47 years and are parents to four children and 12 grandchildren.