GIFTS AT WORK: Marjorie A. (Bartak) Holmes, CON BSN '60

Marjorie Holmes earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Michigan State University in 1960. In the beginning, the flexibility of the nursing program allowed her to work and attend college part time, however, due to growing academic requirements, Marjorie decided to stop working during her senior year. "The Michigan State University scholarships that both my husband, Robert (CVM B ’60, DVM ’61), and I received were life savers and enabled us to complete our studies," said Marjorie. "My husband and I were grateful for our education and vowed to make a difference by ensuring that others are given the same opportunity."

In 1961, Marjorie completed a Master’s in Business Administration and was appointed the Director of Nursing at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana. In 1962, she and her husband moved to California where she took a job as the Assistant Director of Nursing at Providence Hospital in Oakland. In 1963, Marjorie was appointed Hospital Nursing Administrator at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles, a position she held for 25 years. During her career, Marjorie also enjoyed working with the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Hospital, serving on faculty as Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA’s School of Nursing and mentoring nursing administration residents.

In 1986, Robert passed away after being ill for the last 10 years of his life. In his memory, Marjorie established an endowed scholarship in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. After seeing how the scholarship truly helped the student recipients she wanted to explore ways to give back to the College of Nursing.

The college is honored to be the recipient of three endowed funds from benefactor, Marjorie Holmes. Established in 1990, the Marjorie A. Holmes Endowed Faculty Enrichment Award recognizes and encourages innovative and creative scholarly activity by supporting nursing faculty research initiatives. "Marjorie Holmes gift is a wonderful public expression of the things I value," said this year’s recipient Associate Professor Manfred Stommel. "In addition to research, my passion in life is teaching. Having a positive influence on the development and ultimately their professional future of our students is rewarding."

Through Marjorie’s life income estate plans, the college will also benefit from two endowed scholarships for nursing students. The Marjorie A. Holmes Endowed Graduate Student Scholarship and the Marjorie A. Holmes Endowed Undergraduate Student Scholarship Funds were established in 1990 and 2000 respectively. Now retired, Marjorie continues to give back by volunteering for Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic Organization. She has also taught English as a Second Language for the Laubach Center.

Marjorie Holmes is still making a difference.