The late Dr. Dottie Brandt served as mentor and teacher to hundreds of educators during her 31 years of service at PC.

Presbyterian College lost one of its most transformative figures over the holidays at the passing of former professor Dr. Dorothy P. “Dottie” Brandt on Dec. 24 at the age of 91.

Dr. Dottie Brandt
Charles A. Dana Professor Emerita of Education

The Charles A. Dana Professor Emerita of Education joined the PC faculty in 1967 to build the college’s elementary education program. Throughout her 31-year career, Brandt mentored several generations of educators whose impact has been felt in public schools throughout the region.

In 1973, the Walhalla native was honored by PC’s Board of Visitors with the Outstanding Service Award. Brandt earned the Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award in 1987. Before retiring in 1998, PC alumni Brenda ’78 and Tommy ’81 Parrish established the Dottie Brandt Scholarship Fund in her honor.

Brandt served her community as a member of the Laurens County Literacy Council and on the Board of Trustees for her alma mater, Newberry College.

In one of many touching memorials made online following Brandt’s death, PC alumna Lynn Beaty ’87, a teacher at Joanna-Woodson Elementary School in Laurens County School District 56, said Brandt inspired her to become an educator.

“Dr. Brandt was such big part of who I am,” Beaty said. “She is the reason I became an American educator. She left such a wonderful legacy in the girls she taught at PC. She was so loved and her love for children and education will carry on through all she touched and knew. God surely blessed me when she put her in my 4th grade class when I had a student teacher that she was supervising. She will be missed and always loved.”