Author

Processed by Archives Staff and rearranged by Anne Ledford in June 2006 under the supervision of Deirdre Scaggs, University Archivist.; machine-readable finding aid created by Eric Weig

Title

Marguerite McLaughlin papers and awards

Date

1939-1984

Repository

University of Kentucky Libraries, Special Collections

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by subject in three series:

Conditions Governing Access note

Grade books in Series I are restricted but other materials are open to researchers by appointment.

Preferred Citation Note

1987ua005: [identification of item], Marguerite McLaughlin papers and awards, University of Kentucky Archives.

Extent

0.75 cubic feet (3 boxes; 1 wrapped package)

Abstract

Professional and personal papers related to the career of Marguerite McLaughlin, 1939-1984.

Biography/History

Marguerite McLaughlin was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on September 30, 1882. She was a Journalist educator at the University of Kentucky, where she earned her AB in 1903. McLaughlin died November 25, 1961.

McLaughlin was one of the first, if not the first woman, to handle general reporting assignments for a newspaper in the South. She worked for the Lexington Herald as a drama and music critic, she handled murder cases, and served as farm editor from 1917 to 1918. Marguerite McLaughlin was a 40-year veteran reporter and a charter member of Theta Sigma Phi.

McLaughlin was the first woman teacher of journalism in the United States and she trained many well-known journalists including the late Joe Creason, George Michler, Thornton Connell of the Courier-Journal, Dr. Niel Plummer, former head of the UK School of Journalism; Don Whitehead, Pulitzer prize-winning AP press reporter; Governor Keen Johnson; Senators Earle Clements and Tom Underwood.

McLaughlin served as executive secretary of the UK Alumni Association during each World War; served 20 years (1920-1940) as President of the Lexington Alumni Club, and 30 years (1920-1950) as a member of the Association's executive committee.

During World War II, McLaughlin endeared herself to military alumni by having the Kernel sent to them wherever they were stationed. During the early 1950s, she was honored with the "Pro Ecclesiae et Pontificae" award by Pope Pius XII, the highest award which can be given to a Catholic laywoman.

In 1950, McLaughlin received the Alumni Association's Alma Magna Mater Award; in 1959 the Marguerite McLaughlin room in the Journalism Building was dedicated along with her portrait which hangs there today. She retired from UK after 38 years of teaching and then served as President of Welsh Printing Company for a number of years. Marguerite McLaughlin was named to the Hall of Distinguished Alumni on April 11, 1980.

Scope and Content

The Marguerite McLaughlin papers and awards include correspondence, newspaper articles, photographs, grade books, and magazines related to or commemorating her career as a UK journalism professor, secretary of the UK alumni association, and as president of the Lexington alumni association.

The collection also contains material related to the Theta Sigma Phi honorary society for women in journalism and communications, articles about William Welsh, the artist who painted McLaughlin's portrait, letters to the UK alumni association from military servicemen during World War II, and awards received by McLaughlin.

Subjects

• Women in journalism -- Kentucky -- Lexington.
• World War II, 1939-1945.
• University of Kentucky. School of Journalism.
• Lexington Alumni Association.
• Newspaper Advertising Executives Association, Inc.
• Theta Sigma Phi.
• Women in Communications, inc.
• University of Kentucky Alumni Association.
• McLaughlin, Marguerite, 1882-1961.
• Welsh, William; 1889-1984.

Collection Inventory