Professor to be inducted into RI Heritage Hall of Fame

04/22/09 - "I am just a bus driver," Professor of Labor Studies Scott Molloy said humbly, referring to the announcement that he will soon be inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.For 11 years prior to teaching labor studies at the University of Rhode Island Molloy worked for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.

Out of 40 nominees this year a total of nine Rhode Islanders are to be inducted into the hall of fame. The hall of fame was founded in March of 1965 to honor Rhode Islanders who have added to Rhode Island's heritage and history.

Molloy's father was a police officer and his mother a teacher in Rhode Island. He said he accredits much of his success in life and as a professor to being able to see both sides of the track during his life.

While working at RIPTA, Molloy got involved in union activity and participated in picket lines.

"It makes you tough, sometimes you see the naked power of the other side," Molloy said.

The experience in the workforce, and having to work for everything, Molloy said, gave him more worldly experience and a different approach to teaching.

Molloy worked nights for RIPTA so during the day he would go to the historical society and do research, where he discovered that there was so little information available on labor unions. Experiences during his time with RIPTA are where much of Molloy's passion for labor studies stems from, he said.

After 23 years at URI teaching history and labor studies, having his collection of more than 10,000 documents and artifacts bought by the Smithsonian, having published numerous novels, founding the URI Labor History Society and winning the Carnegie Foundation Professor of the Year Award, he still loves his job and everything that comes with it.

"I whistle to work everyday," Molloy said. "And I am excited because I love what I teach."

Professor Emeritus of Labor Relations Studies Charles T. Schmidt, who hired Molloy, said in regards to his future induction, "I can't think of anybody more deserving in the state of Rhode Island."

"He is one of the best scholars we have ever had," Schmidt said.

Molloy said he believes that Schmidt's constant "tests" as he called them was a factor in his development as a teacher and person.

"My feeling has always been that I have stolen a little bit from everyone that I have been friends with, their personality, their character, their success and strew it all into myself," Molloy said.

President of the Rhode Island Heritage Foundation Patrick Connoly taught Molloy at Providence College. Connoly called Molloy one of the best students he ever had.

"I have taught at Providence College for 30 years, 45,000 students, and I would rank Scott Molloy in the top five," Connoly said.

Molloy was modest when asked about his future placement. He called it a great honor and named many of the Rhode Islanders that he will soon be associated with, such as Roger Williams and Gilbert Stuart.

"To be in their company is truly a great accolade and it humbles you, it truly does," Molloy said.

Molloy explained that he was very surprised by the honor, and wasn't even aware that he was nominated. Nominations are all done anonymously and reviewed by a 25-member board.

As for what is next, Molloy said he is hoping to write a "'Grease'-like" play or novel. He wants to put all the experiences from his life and the lessons he has learned over the years into an entertainment form.

"When I teach I am part educator and part entertainer," he said.

Molloy said he is not afraid of what the next step will be in his line of accolades, but knows there is much more for him to do and accomplish.

"In academia unlike almost everything in the world the older you get you are like the wise old owl," he said.