Photo: Jenny Ott Most of the members of the KVCCFA know Marilyn’s professional story. For me, she was a formidable presence during most of my career at the college. Personally, I appreciated her passion for our institution and the profession of education. I also appreciated her humor. Even during speeches where she was trying to impress upon us the seriousness of the situation we were in – be it funding cuts, enrollment slides, or even cultural upheaval - Marilyn would always throw in a joke to ease the tension – often at her own expense.
I happened to be walking by Mahogany Row one day shortly after Marilyn announced her retirement. She was her usual self: greeting me warmly and asking about my son. She remembered seeing him walking around the halls of KVCC in his kangaroo costume when he was three years old. She was glad to hear about his matriculation at MSU. We both remarked on how time flies. I asked her if she was excited about the next phase of her life and her answer was an immediate “no.” She said she didn’t really want to retire: it was like leaving part of herself behind. I understood. And I appreciated her not just giving me the standard answer, but sharing a little of her real self with me. I told her she would be missed, which was true. Our first president started the college, but what it is today is because of Marilyn.
Marilyn said she didn’t want any monuments at the college when she was gone, but I’m glad they persuaded her to allow her name to be on the Culinary & Allied Health Building. It’s a good tribute. Not enough for what she meant to the college, the community, and all of us - but good.
If I could see Marilyn again, I’d say thanks for being the solid rock on which our institution stood and which supported me in my professional pursuits. She has been and will be missed.
I happened to be walking by Mahogany Row one day shortly after Marilyn announced her retirement. She was her usual self: greeting me warmly and asking about my son. She remembered seeing him walking around the halls of KVCC in his kangaroo costume when he was three years old. She was glad to hear about his matriculation at MSU. We both remarked on how time flies. I asked her if she was excited about the next phase of her life and her answer was an immediate “no.” She said she didn’t really want to retire: it was like leaving part of herself behind. I understood. And I appreciated her not just giving me the standard answer, but sharing a little of her real self with me. I told her she would be missed, which was true. Our first president started the college, but what it is today is because of Marilyn.
Marilyn said she didn’t want any monuments at the college when she was gone, but I’m glad they persuaded her to allow her name to be on the Culinary & Allied Health Building. It’s a good tribute. Not enough for what she meant to the college, the community, and all of us - but good.
If I could see Marilyn again, I’d say thanks for being the solid rock on which our institution stood and which supported me in my professional pursuits. She has been and will be missed.
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