Beloved Wootton High School Principal Honored With Bridge Naming

ROCKVILLE, MD — A dedication ceremony for the three-lane bridge in Rockville named after Michael J. Doran, the former principal of Thomas S. Wootton High School who died suddenly at age 64 in 2015, will be held June 1.

Doran was a beloved member of the community and the principal of the high school for 12 years, before he passed just a few weeks before classes started in August of 2015. He was an educator for 40 years, and worked in Montgomery schools for 18 years.

The Rockville City Council decided to dedicate the three-lane bridge on Wootton Parkway to Doran at the request of a Wootton graduate, Jon Glaser. Glaser said that since the bridge serves as a connection point, this symbolizes how Doran linked students, teachers, parents and the community.

The dedication ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m. rain or shine on Wootton Parkway, between Thomas S. Wootton High School and Greenplace Terrace. As Wootton High School's lots may be full, street parking is available along Greenplace Terrace. Fallsmead residences are also encouraged to park at Fallsmead Park at 1824 Greenplace Terrace.

See Related:

• Rockville Names Bridge After Beloved Wootton High School Principal
• Thomas Wootton School Principal Found Dead
• Wootton Students, Alumni Remember Principal Doran

Montgomery County Public Schools interim superintendent, Larry A. Bowers described Doran as having “boundless energy, engaging wit, and unwavering commitment to excellence for his students and staff.”

The MCPS Board of Education issued a statement that Doran “was a shining example of what a school leader should be and was an unapologetic advocate for his students.”

As a respected member of the community, Doran’s death and memorial services was covered by WUSA9, ABC7, FOX5, among other radio and print media outlets.

Doran's wife, Kathy Lavinder, said Doran formed a genuine connection "that was not anything artificial or phony," she said. "Every single person he looked in the eyes felt that connection and felt that caring.”

Doran was found deceased in his apartment due to a previously undetected heart condition. Students, staff and parents mourned Doran's loss, and shared memories of the beloved school leader on social media following the tragedy.

Students used hashtags #woottonstrong and #ripdrdoran filled with messages of sympathy, and thanks for Doran’s dedication on various social media platforms after his death.

A twitter account called Wootton Seniors tweeted, "It’s hard to loose someone who so many have looked up to. He was the best principal any of us have ever had. #ripdrdoran #woottonstrong."

Lavinder told Bethesda Magazine that she still goes to Wootton to do work involving the Dr. Michael J. Doran Scholarship, Inc., which was established by Doran's family in April 2016 to provide financial assistance to graduates of Wootton.

“It will be something that touches my heart every time I see it,” Lavinder said of the bridge.

Photo: Montgomery County Public Schools