Ruth Marzec ’48 was a fiercely passionate woman. She loved Plymouth State and the friends she made during her time here—and kept throughout her life. Her deep appreciation of the English language stemmed from her education and experience at Plymouth.
Because Ruth was from Lyman, NH and wanted to underscore the high standards she had for knowledge of the English language, recipients of the scholarship are returning students with financial need and a major in English education or elementary education, preferably from Grafton County, NH. In Ruth’s own words, “Students should exhibit determination and dedication to college work.”
Ruth Marzec ’48
John Scheinman P’19, director of development at Plymouth State, befriended Ruth through their mutual connection to the University. “She enjoyed our visits and talking about Plymouth,” John recalls. “She was quite a character and loved to tell stories about how she ‘pushed the envelope.’ At the same time, she remained very true to tradition—and Plymouth.”
Ruth once explained that the Plymouth of 1948 was quite different than the school today, with strict rules and schedules even beyond the classroom. She fondly recalled how Plymouth shaped her life:
“While I resented the regulations (and I broke every rule I could!), I’ve come to realize I gained much more than book learning… The rules and examples set by the faculty changed a care-free, happy-go-lucky teenager into a competent, capable, confident, self-reliant adult, ready to join society in whatever place I found myself.”
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As a religious woman, service to others was important to her, and she volunteered throughout her life and retirement. She felt honored to leave a legacy to serve deserving students through her scholarship endowment. Ruth once said, “Without the lessons learned at Plymouth, I would not have had a successful career and happy life with which I’ve been blessed. May they who get my help, share with others along the way, and prove the love and pride in our alma mater lives on.”
If you feel a compelling need to make a difference as Ruth did, then please join alumni, faculty, staff, parents, and friends who plan to leave a lasting legacy at Plymouth State.
Anyone can leave a legacy. Many of our most generous supporters are people with a lifetime of earning modest salaries like Ruth who wanted to give back. There are several ways to make an impactful gift that will shape the future with your legacy. For more information on gift strategies that can help make a difference in the lives of students for decades to come contact Director of Planned Giving Ann Thurston ’80, ‘00G, ‘07CAGS by phone at (603) 535-2291 or thurston@plymouth.edu.
