Prime, who began her tenure at UD in 1979, after serving as both assistant dean of students for freshmen women's residences and adviser to the campus center programming board, said that she was delighted by the recognition and humbled by the Student Government Association's efforts in recommending her for it.
She said she was overwhelmed after receiving the news from UD Student Government Association (SGA) President Casey Patriarco, a junior English education major from Allentown, Pa., who made the announcement of the award at UD's SGA executive committee meeting Feb. 12, four days before the NACA conference in St. Louis. Prime said that the announcement was made extra special by a booklet she was given by Patriarco at the SGA meeting that held accolades written by students.
“I wasn't quite sure I had heard Casey correctly and probably appeared a little stunned,” Prime said. “After a few seconds, I realized the significance of Casey's words and was very humbled by SGA's efforts in recommending me for the award. It is a wonderful honor. Throughout the rest of the meeting, I was trying to pay attention, but kept looking through their booklet and reading the words they had written. I felt very appreciative and thankful for such recognition, especially as it came from the students.”
Patriarco, who initiated the recommendation process and has worked closely with Prime for the past three years, said that Prime seemed deserving of the honor because of the effort she invests in SGA and the care she gives to individual students who approach her with concerns.
“The SGA elected board decided that Dr. Prime would be an excellent candidate for the award in early October,” Patriarco said. “Together we drafted a letter of nomination and also contacted three alumni (two past Delaware Undergraduate Student Congress presidents and a former student) and Scott Mason, associate director of Student Centers, to compose nomination letters.”
The rest was determined by a NACA committee established to select candidates for the award based on certain criteria, Patriarco said. Prime was chosen because of her close work with the SGA, her support and regard for students and their issues, her colleagues' respect for her as an educator, her extraordinary impact on student lives and the respect she has earned from students.
“I believe that Dr. Prime not only deserves the award but also embodies every one of the qualities for which this award stands,” Patriarco said. “Dr. Prime's dedication to the University of Delaware's student body and the SGA, in particular, is unparalleled, admirable and sincere. She is truly a remarkable individual who has made a significant impact on my life not only as an advisor but also as a mentor.”
Michael Gilbert, vice president for student life at UD, said that while he was not involved in the nomination process, he is very aware of Prime's professionalism and dedication to UD students and the campus community.
“Marilyn is a very talented and student-centered administrator,” Gilbert said. “She is accessible to and very engaged with the Student Government Association and the students recognize that she is invested in their success. This award is an outstanding honor for Marilyn, and also is a fine example of the hard work and thoughtful leadership our SGA is providing to our students this year.”
“The position is about helping students develop character and understand the consequences of their actions, both in the short and long term. Also, it's about fun and celebrating the rewards of a job well done. I would like to think that I have been able to offer these types of experiences to student government leaders,” Prime said. “Over time, student government leaders have expressed their joy as well as their tears, their successes as well as disappointments, behind my office door. It's a safe place for them.
“Most student leaders do not have the opportunity to work with senior administration, the Faculty Senate or the Board of Trustees and [therefore] cannot relate to SGA leaders' experiences,” Prime added. Students and I spend a lot of time talking about their leadership skills and how positive outcomes can be accomplished. Mostly, the position is about helping students develop and learn in meaningful ways.”
Prime earned a bachelor's degree in music and a master's degree in counseling and student development from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Delaware.
Article by Becca Hutchinson
Photo by Kathy Atkinson