2018-2019 WLP Annual Report

2019 WLP LIFETIME
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
DORETHA EDGECOMB M.A. ’73
assistance advisor for schools, school districts and
state departments of education in Florida, Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and also taught in the
College of Education at the University of South Florida.
Doretha Edgecomb M.A. ’73 has enjoyed a
remarkable 52-year career in education — as a
teacher and administrator in Hillsborough County
Schools, a trainer with Educational Testing Service,
and a longtime member of the Hillsborough County
school board.
A Tampa native, Edgecomb earned her bachelor’s
degree at Talladega College in Alabama, and a
Master of Arts in reading education from the
University of South Florida.
Edgecomb’s career as an educator in Hillsborough
County Public Schools encompassed numerous
positions, including reading teacher, learning
specialist, Title I parent involvement coordinator,
reading supervisor and elementary school principal.
In 1996, she joined Educational Testing Service,
serving as a trainer, program developer and technical
After her retirement, Edgecomb’s commitment to
public education did not wane. In 2004, she was
elected to the District 5 seat on the Hillsborough
County School Board and served three terms (2004–
2016), and was elected vice chair of the board in
2010 and chair in 2011.
Today, Edgecomb remains extremely active in the
community. Honoring the memory of her husband,
George Edgecomb, who passed away from leukemia
in 1976 at the age of 33, Doretha helped the H. Lee
Moffitt Cancer Center launch the George Edgecomb
Society, a cancer outreach initiative focusing on the
African-American community. She also remains
actively involved in numerous professional, civic,
social and community organizations.
Over the years, Edgecomb has humbly accepted
several awards for her service to the community.
Most recently, Edgecomb received USF’s highest
non-academic award, the Distinguished Citizen
Award, in May 2019.
USF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP & PHILANTHROPY 26