Marianne Ward to step down as alumni director
Posted by Mary Helen Stoltz
Marianne Ward, director of alumni and constituent relations at Missouri University of Science and Technology since June 2007, is stepping down from the position effective July 24 to become director of communications and marketing for the Waynesville R-VI School District in Waynesville, Mo.
Darlene Ramsay, director of advancement services at Missouri S&T, will serve as interim director and Patti Chism, manager of business and fiscal operations for Missouri S&T advancement services, will serve as interim director of advancement services. The university plans to conduct a search for a new alumni director soon.
As alumni director at Missouri S&T, Ward coordinated activities for the Miner Alumni Association, which represents the university’s 52,000 graduates.
“It has been a great privilege and a pleasure to work with our alumni,” Ward says. “Thanks to their dedication and support, the connection between our graduates and the university is stronger than ever.”
“It has been a sincere pleasure to work with Marianne during her time as alumni director,” says Susan Rothschild of St. Louis, current president of the Miner Alumni Association. “She is a genuinely caring person who is beloved by alumni and friends as well as the campus community. We all will miss her, and we wish her the best in her new endeavor.”
“Marianne has a true passion and enthusiasm for building relationships with alumni and strengthening our connections with Missouri S&T,” says John Eash of Weldon Spring, Mo., president-elect of the Miner Alumni Association. “She has set a standard for alumni relations that will be tough to match, and we will miss her greatly.”
As director of alumni and constituent relations, Ward was instrumental in involving graduates in the process to rename the university to Missouri S&T in 2007 and through 2008. From 1964 until 2008, the campus was known as the University of Missouri-Rolla and prior to 1964, it was known as the University of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy.
Ward also guided the alumni association board of directors through its most recent strategic planning process and helped coordinate the Alumni of Influence project, an effort to honor and recognize the university’s most influential and remarkable graduates. The project included a special coffee-table style publication and recognition event in November 2011.
In addition, Ward served as an editor for the university’s alumni publication, Missouri S&T Magazine.
During her 21-year tenure at Missouri S&T, Ward has served in many roles in the University Advancement division, including graphic design, public relations and annual giving. She began working in the alumni and constituent relations office in 2001 as a coordinator and served as assistant director from 2002 until her appointment as director in 2007.
A resident of Waynesville for the past 23 years, Ward holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. Prior to joining Missouri S&T, Ward was a managing editor and writer for newspapers in Missouri and Illinois.
I always looked forward to seeing Marianne at alumni events. She always greeted everyone with a smile that was so contagious you had to have fun when she was around. She will be truely missed by alumni, staff, and the campus community. I too would like to wish her the best as director of communications and marketing for the Waynesville R-VI School District.
Good luck, ma’am.
Good luck, ma’am.
Marianne will be missed so much by students and alumni as well as her wonderful working relationship with the campus and town to tie the two groups together.
Thank you for your wonderful years at our campus. I personally will miss you and wish you the very best!
Dottye Wolf
Marianne,
You were the first major contact we made when we formed the Las Vegas Section Chapter. You will be missed. Good luck and I know you won’t miss that drive every day!
Best Wishes
Roger Keller
MinE ’75, ’82
Still enjoying memeories & engagement at Golden Anniversary!!!
Good Luck in all your endeavors!
Marianne…That’s a Bummer…
We are gonna miss visiting…whether we had ‘business’ or just passing thru…
Thanks for the hand-holding while setting up the scholarships…not sure we would have got it done without your assistance…
The University and thousands of students are better off for you having been at M S@T…
Thanks again…We wish you well…GOOD LUCK…Take care…
Rex @ Joyce Walker
ME65
Had a great time at commencement, lots of laughs, it won’t be the same. Good luck with your new job/Bob
I will definitely miss you Marianne and your passion for the university. I wish you the best on the next phase of your journey.
Marianne,
What a surprise! So glad we could visit with you at the Golden Anniversary celebration in May. We wish you the best of everything in your new position in the Waynesville School District. You will be missed by MS&T Alumni all over the world. At least your drive to work will be more pleasant!
Our best always and thanks for your service to MS&T,
Pat and Kay Duvall 62′
Marianne,
Keeping alumni effectively involved was made a lot easier with the help of friends like you. Everywhere I went, you were cheerfully making sure everything was well organized and running smoothly. Just Wanted To Say Thanks and Best Wishes for your future success.
Scott George, ’72
Marianne – the Lincolnland section will surely miss having you around, your smile and enthusiasm for the alumni association and MS&T was always wonderful. Your dedication to work the drink cart at our golf outing in a coat was unforgettable! I wish you the best in your new position, they are very fortunate to have you on their team. Feel free to join our events anytime!! -Amanda