WORCESTER, Mass. — The memories are still fresh in the minds of those who were there. Tuesday is the 10th anniversary of former President Barack Obama’s visit to Worcester, where he spoke at Worcester Technical High School’s graduation.
“Ted is known as the ‘Godfather’ of Worcester Tech, because about 10 years ago, he set out to make this school what he knew it could be,” Obama said in his speech.
The Ted he was referring to is Ted Coghlin, father of Worcester School Committee Member Sue Mailman. Coghlin was a businessman, philanthropist and instrumental in the construction of Worcester Technical High School.
What You Need To Know
- June 11 marks 10 years since former President Barack Obama spoke at Worcester Technical High School's graduation ceremony in 2014
- Worcester Tech was the only high school the former president spoke at that year
- Worcester School Committee Member Sue Coghlin Mailman was at the ceremony, when the Obama gave her father a shoutout
- Mailman described Obama as charming during his visit to the city
“My dad was a nut,” Mailman joked. “He was completely voke-ed all the way. It was all about this school, it was all about what could be done.”
The shout out to her dad is a memory Mailman said she’ll never forget. But looking back on that June afternoon, what she remembers most is the character of Obama.
“He shook every student’s hand, and he smiled and laughed with all of them that came along, and he was an amazing leader himself,” Mailman recalled.
Mailman has a scrapbook recapping the entire journey, with clippings and photos from the moment the school made contact with the White House to the day of the actual speech.
She said hosting the former president was a testament to the impact the then-newly built Worcester Tech was making.
“I think if Worcester Tech had not accomplished, and that was Sheila Harrity and my dad Ted Coghlin in partnership making something really cool happen here, and everybody getting on board. We would not have vocational education where it is in the state at this level right now,” Mailman said.
Mayor Joseph Petty shared the stage with Obama on that memorable night.
“It meant a lot President Obama would choose one or two high schools a year and attend their graduation,” Petty said.
Mailman said the success of the district now is drawing parallels when compared to 2014 when the former president came.
“A new school was built. We brought in new leadership, private, public partnership that made this school work,” Mailman said. “I think we are in that space right now in this district.”