Editor’s Note: The quotes in this story have been edited for clarity, length and style.
Marion Louise Cassidy, or “Marilou,” is a student with quite the story. As a prominent member of the WSU Vancouver community, Cassidy has returned to college to complete her degree, preparing to graduate this spring with a bachelor’s in humanities focusing on fine arts and history. Sharing vital advice learned throughout her college career, Cassidy discussed her life experiences, the establishment of her endowment fund to financially support nontraditional students and how she is commemorating Women’s History Month this March.
Why did you choose to attend WSU Vancouver upon returning to college? From your perspective, what do you think it means to be a part of the university’s community?
Because it’s 15 minutes from my house, and because it’s a jewel, close to my own backyard. When I got this idea, I decided that in 2019, I was approaching my 80th birthday, and so I thought, what do I want to do for my 80th birthday? I had a lot of credits from Clark College and Marylhurst University in Portland. There was a story I saw on Public Broadcasting Service years ago about Marylhurst closing, and I thought, “what’s going to happen to all of my credits?” In the ‘80s, I enrolled in their degree program at Marylhurst, and then things came up so I didn’t stay. At this time in my life, [my husband and family] haven’t traveled much, though I’ve traveled a lot in the past. I had a lot of energy, the financial means and I thought well I’ll give it a try, why not?
What are some of the differences you have noticed between your education then at Clark College, and now at WSU Vancouver?
Primarily, when I got this idea of this “project” I call it, I was just after the degree, I want it complete, I want to have that B.A., I want to have this goal achieved in my life. The learning has been fun, I’ve enjoyed it, I really did get into the learning, the writing. Though I’ve had lots of tears and frustrations, I found out it was a lot of fun.
Why did you choose a humanities major?
I am loaded with history, photography and fine arts credits. So, when I met with the counselors, they directed me that way, and the other thing that was tremendous here about WSU Vancouver is the admissions, they helped me so much. Could you imagine trying to get all those credits from Clark College? Paper credits, nothing digital. There was a wonderful woman who I always spoke to on the telephone at Clark, she went to the attic, they had to have physical pictures of the catalog to show classes that were actually offered because there were no other records.
What advice would you give nontraditional college students who are returning to school?
I say, just go with it and don’t give up too easily. There were times when I had an, “I can’t do this,” kind of attitude. My husband was very supportive, and my grandchildren were very supportive. There were times I would start a semester, and think, “this is too much,” but pretty soon the semester would be over and instead I would think, “oh my gosh I did that.” Another thing I would recommend is to take a class every semester, take something. Don’t take a break. It all just adds up and adds up and then you’re done.
What is your background? Can you give me a glimpse of what your life has been like before becoming involved with WSU Vancouver?
I did grow up here in Vancouver, I was born in Montana after the war, so I’ve always lived here in Vancouver. I did two years at Clark College and then I became an airline stewardess.
[Being a stewardess] was glamorous. I was with United Airlines, and you had to have two years of college which is why I went to Clark, because my family was not college-bound. All my friends were going off to Pullman or Seattle. I applied to United and had a great time, I only did it for a year and a half, I was in Chicago for a while and then I transferred to Seattle where I met Larry, my husband. We will have been married 59 years [at the end of February].
Why did you decide to donate to the university by setting up an endowment fund? What was this process like?
My husband and I decided to set up the Marion L. Cassidy Endowment Scholarship Fund, just in January. The reason primarily was because my husband and grandkids kept saying, “what are we going to buy for you?” because of my project [at WSU Vancouver]. I said, “let’s give back.” So my husband and I agreed, and we set up the scholarship to give back to the university. I’ve watched so many young students struggling — maybe they don’t have a good computer, they don’t have a good laptop, they’re working nights. So that’s the criteria we set up, is that it would be a preference to returning students continuing their education, and preference toward students in the humanities department.
What are your plans after graduating this semester?
Well, I don’t know exactly just yet. We’re going to have a party. Then, I’m not sure what I am going to do with all my time. I’ll have to come up with another “project.” Get back to my photography, get back to golf, spend more time with my family.
March is Women’s History Month, and to commemorate this, why do you think it is important to recognize the contributions women like you have made to their communities both in the present day, and throughout history?
You see, I just took Women’s History with Laurie Mercier. We focused on the importance of how women are overlooked in history. I think that anytime you can give an example to other generations, that’s the most important thing you can do. To give an example, there’s probably another Marilou out there thinking about “why didn’t I finish college?” By sharing your story, then that might give some incentive or guidance to someone else.
Olivia is a senior studying English at WSU Vancouver.