Dorothy Brandt

The lasting legacy of Dorothy “Dottie” Brandt extends far beyond the classrooms in which she taught at Presbyterian College. As a teacher of teachers, it flowers in every school where her protégés teach.

Brandt joined the faculty in 1967 in order to build an elementary education program – a task she accepted and accomplished with great verve and professional acumen.

A former chair of the education department and now the Dana Professor Emeritus of Education, Brandt took teaching seriously at every level and in all places.

A role model for teachers in her own right, Brandt was named to the 1971 edition of Outstanding Educators of America and, in 1973 was presented with the PC Board of Visitors’ Outstanding Service Award. In 1987, she earned the Alumni Distinguished Teaching award and became the namesake of the Dottie Brandt Scholarship Fund established by PC Alumni Brenda and Tommy Parrish in 1997.

Brandt also served the community as a member of the Laurens County Literacy Council and as vice chairman of the board of trustees for her alma mater, Newberry College.

“She was, and is an inspiration to me in my teaching career,” said Jaymi Wilbanks, a 1993 graduate. “I always read to my class and my own children at least 15 every day because of her teaching influence in the education department while I attended PC. It was an honor to have her as my professor. Dorothy Brandt truly has a servant’s heart. I became the teacher I am today because of her influence.”