Ohio State Marion's collaboration with local club wins excellence award
Ohio State Marion Associate Professor of History Margaret Sumner and the Marion Women's Club & Home have been recognized for their efforts with a 2025 Programs of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship award from The Ohio State University Office of Outreach and Engagement in Academic Affairs.
The certification process aims to identify and certify projects annually that demonstrate excellence in community-engaged scholarship, according to an announcement.
"Our partnership with Margaret and Ohio State Marion students is a win-win for everyone," said Valerie Wigton, president of the Marion Women's Club & Home. "It's empowering for students as it provides an opportunity to discover real-life experiences of local club women who literally helped 'build' our community."
Sumner has taught a course on the history of American women's civic activism for several years in partnership with the club, according to John Maharry, acting dean and director of Ohio State Marion. Each spring, students explore the club's extensive records and discover stories about the many ways members have supported Marion since 1895.
'In fact, Margaret has been instrumental in developing the carriage house behind the home into a Women's History Resource Center that will have its grand opening this fall,' Maharry said. 'Just last week, the club raised $13,700 specifically for furnishings in the new Women's History Resource Center, which will house the Club's archives, believed to be one of the most comprehensive sets of historical records of any women's club in the United States.'
The collaboration between Ohio State Marion and the Marion Women's Club & Home has been ongoing for several years, with students gaining valuable insights into the influence of local women on various aspects of society, from healthcare and social welfare to education and literacy.
'We believe it will empower and inspire them as future leaders,' Wigton said.
Ohio State Marion graduate Keily Cunningham, who went on to obtain her master's degree in library and information science, now serves as the club's part-time archivist.
"We are honored to have been chosen as a Program of Excellence by Ohio State," Wigton said. "We have been working hard over the last 10 years to rebuild our club, and Professor Sumner, now on our board of directors, has been a huge part of that effort. Collaborating with community partners is a win-win for everyone involved."
This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct or share your thoughts at http://bit.ly/3RapUkA with our News Automation and AI team.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Ohio State Marion, Women's Club earn excellence award
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