History came full circle on Thursday in the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library, as the Fitchburg State community gathered to rededicate the Children’s Literature Collection to Professor Emerita Lillian A. Tater. The ceremony, held on April 30, took place exactly 50 years to the day after the original 1976 dedication, marking a poignant milestone in the university’s English Studies heritage.
The event served as a formal restoration of Professor Tater’s visible legacy on campus. Following a 2014 library renovation during which the original commemorative plaque was lost, the university unveiled a new memorial plaque to ensure Tater’s contributions remain a permanent fixture of the institution.
Ron Colbert ‘76, ‘80, a member of the Fitchburg State Alumni Association Board of Directors, said he attended the original dedication for Tater as an undergraduate student and was selected to give Tater red roses as they unveiled the library plaque dedicated in her honor.
As an elementary education major, Colbert learned the art of teaching from Tater.
“Today we are here to honor and re-honor Ms. Lillian Tater, a professor and university colleague from our past,” said Colbert. “A daughter of a hard-working family in Fitchburg and a woman who impacted the lives of countless teachers, children with her faith, love of literature, storytelling and writing. Ms. Tater fostered strong empathetic relationships with her students while setting high academic and classroom management expectations. She created a culture of respect in her classroom by defining what respect looks like and then demonstrating respect goes both ways. She adapted to different learning needs, was a master of patience, used clear communication, modeled good organization and actively engaged us in class.”
Fitchburg State Associate Librarian – Head of Instruction and Information Literacy – Renee Fratantonio, acted as the chief architect of the Tater restoration, spearheading the archival research and collection efforts that returned a lost chapter of the university’s history to its rightful place within the library.
“I had a lot of fun and it was a joy to learn more about her,” said Fratantonio.
Professor Tater’s story is inextricably linked with the evolution of Fitchburg State. A daughter of Jewish immigrants who arrived in New York in 1895 and later to Fitchburg, she was a first-generation college student and a member of the university’s historic first degree-granting class in 1933. Her career at the institution spanned over three decades, beginning in 1943 at the Edgerly Model School before she joined the English Department in 1950. After over 30 years of service, Professor Tater retired from Fitchburg State in 1970.
“Professor Tater’s legacy is a testament to the enduring power of education and the deep roots of our Falcon family,” said Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge. “Today’s rededication is not just about restoring a plaque—it is about reaffirming that her influence lives on in every classroom shaped by her students and in every child whose imagination was opened through the literature she championed.”
The original 1976 honor was a grassroots effort led by former students who sought to immortalize Tater’s passion for Children's Literature. The newly unveiled plaque mirrors the original archival sentiments:
“Dedicated in Honor of Lillian A. Tater, April 30, 1976, remembered for her love of Children’s Literature, dedication to her students, and countless contributions to the College community.”
Francine (Pericotti) Meigs ‘83, a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, said she met Professor Tater, who was a guest speaker during Fitchburg State Professor Anne Green’s children’s literature class.
“I remember how she emphasized that books opened the mind and they inspire creativity and the stories within them spark children to read so they can learn more about the world,” said Meigs. “I remember how passionate she was about her love of children’s literature. Perhaps my love of children’s literature was sparked that day?”
Meigs made a generous donation to the university’s children’s literature collection with the book, “Oreo and His Magical Blue Bow Tie,” the first in the collection of children’s books written by Leominster author Ron Girouard.
“May Professor Tater’s passion for children’s literature live on for generations of future Falcons to enjoy,” said Meigs.
The university is hosting a commemorative exhibit in the library’s entrance display case. The exhibit features archival records and photographs detailing Professor Tater’s journey from a 1930s "Normal School" student to a pillar of the English Department.
The Fitchburg State community is encouraged to visit the library to view the collection and learn more about the woman who helped build the foundation of the university’s literary tradition.