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Pictured above:  Gloved students review historical archives of the Marion Women's Club & Home as part of an 91���� Marion outreach and course, taught by Professor of History Margaret Sumner.

91���� Marion Associate Professor of History, Margaret Sumner and her colleagues at the Marion Women’s Club & Home recently earned the distinction of a 2025 Programs of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship from 91���� Office of Outreach and Engagement in Academic Affairs for their collaborative efforts.

This recognition supports and promotes high impact engaged scholarship, the Office of Outreach and Engagement has instituted a process to certify programs of excellence in engaged scholarship. The certification process seeks to identify and certify projects annually that demonstrate excellence in community engaged scholarship and meet the criteria of high impact engaged scholarship. 

"Our partnership with Margaret and 91���� Marion students is a win-win for everyone," explained Valerie Wigton, president, 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,” she said.

“As they research the influence local women had on just about every aspect of society, from healthcare and social welfare to education and literacy, we believe it will empower and inspire them as future leaders,” Wigton said.

“In fact, one example is 91���� Marion graduate Keily Cunningham, who went on to obtain her master's degree in library and information science and now serves as the club's part-time archivist," Wigton added.

“According to Acting Dean and Director, John Maharry, Sumner has taught a course on the history of American women's civic activism for several years in partnership with the Club. 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.”

"We are honored to have been chosen as a Program of Excellence by 91����," Wigton noted. "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."