Bloomfield College Names Lecture Hall After Philanthropic Trustee

Bloomfield College is excited to announce that College Hall 016 has been renamed Marren Lecture Hall, after Trustee Joanne T. Marren.

“We are thrilled that Trustee Marren's ongoing, generous support to the College has been commemorated in this way,” said Nicole Quinn, Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “Her gifts ensure that Bloomfield College students realize their true potential as global citizens and leaders. Having her name on this lecture hall will remind the College community of her dedication for years to come.”

Marren’s many contributions to the College can be seen across campus, including the funding of the College’s new e-sports program. Marren is someone who became familiar with the College through Trustee Emerita Rosemary Iversen. Marren, who is a relatively new member of the Board, having joined in 2013, established the Therese V. Marren Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of her mother and has also supported other campus initiatives, including assisting the marketing department.

She warmed and empowered many hearts in 2016, at the Partners for Student Success Dinner, when she publicly matched the Glasser Family Fund with a contribution to the Therese V. Marren Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Her giving doesn’t stop there, as she has dedicated much of her time to the College as well. She has stepped up tremendously as Secretary of the Board, remained a strong leader in the Campaign Working Group, and can be seen at the College’s events in support of students and programs.

“We are so grateful to supporters like Joanne Marren. What’s special about Joanne is the great appreciation and value she places on higher education. Instilled in her at a young age, Joanne’s passion for scholarships in higher education is evidenced today by the fund she created in loving memory of her beloved mother,” said Chairman William H. Turner of Marren, during a summer 2018 interview in On The Green.

Beginning her career in law, Marren was an associate at Willkie, Farr & Gallagher in New York City. She then served as Senior Vice President and Corporate Counsel for Shearson Lehman Hutton Incorporated. She then took the role of Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for The Equitable Companies Inc. – now AXA Financial. A move to Gruntal Financial, LLC followed for Marren, who served as the company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative, and Legal Officer and Director.

In the field of education, Marren has served as a Trustee on boards at various levels, including a term as Board Chair of Nativity Middle School in New York. Concurrently, Marren served in various capacities at LeMoyne College, including stints as Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Chair of Academic Affairs and Student Development. More recently, she has served as a member of the Board of Trustees at Xavier High School in New York, as well as co-Chair of the school’s Presidential Search Committee. Also involved in teaching, Marren served as Adjunct Professor at Passaic County Community College and Montclair State University.

Trustee Marren hopes her contributions, “will make an impact on the lives of our current and prospective students and encourage donors to take a closer look at the amazing work Bloomfield College is doing every day."