Margaret Wade Long
The family of a Northwest Missouri State University alumna established a scholarship in recognition of her commitment to teaching and to support students pursuing secondary education degrees in math and science.
Stewart Long created the Margaret Wade Long Scholarship for Teachers of Math and Science in memory of his mother, Margaret, who died in 2020 at the age of 95. Stewart set up the scholarship to honor Margaret’s teaching career and her time at the University.
Margaret was born in 1926 and grew up in Gallatin, Missouri, where her father, Raymond Wade, was president of the local bank. Stewart says his grandfather was a self-educator who valued education and instilled that passion in Margaret.
Although Margaret’s parents were not wealthy, her father encouraged her to pursue a college degree. Following that recommendation, she chose to pursue a degree in education at Northwest.
In 1948, Margaret graduated from Northwest with a bachelor’s degree in education. She also earned a master’s degree in education from George Mason University in Virginia and became an elementary school teacher.
Due to the military career of Stewart’s father, Maj. Gen. Huck Long, the family moved frequently and Margaret carried her passion for education with them. She was a substitute teacher in Germany during the 1950s after World War II and, after returning from Germany in 1964, she was a full-time third grade teacher in Springfield, Virginia. She retired from teaching in 1971.
Although Stewart’s only connection to Northwest is through Margaret, he believes the scholarship is a fitting way to celebrate her life and career.
Scholarships associated with Margaret Wade Long