Her connection to Cleveland State began in 1969 when her husband, Bill, joined the faculty in the history department.

“He loved being a professor. And he loved the students.”

Some years later, when she was growing Resource Careers, a successful business near campus, supporting dual-career spouses of relocating corporate employees, Shorrock enrolled in the graduate program in what was then the Nance College of Business.

That experience, coupled with her husband’s decades-long career, gave her a first-hand perspective of the unique composition of the student body – first generation students, underrepresented populations and working professionals – whose lives are changed because of a Cleveland State education.

Bill’s untimely passing in 2007 sparked yet another bond, this time philanthropically, when she established a scholarship fund in his honor. In 2014, Shorrock created an eponymous fellowship, supporting graduate students studying history. And four years later, she created an endowment fund to enable students to take advantage of international education opportunities.

She followed that in 2020 with a $1 million gift in support of CSU’s recently established Student Success Initiatives to bolster the university’s efforts to attract students, increase retention and provide ongoing assistance to students facing hardship while enrolled.

“I realized that there was a need to support this special group of students that grew up in the city that I love,” she said.

Marjorie looks forward to deepening her ties to CSU, working on ways to make an even greater impact on students and, when offered the chance to continue her partnership, jumps at the opportunity to help.

“Any way I can,” she said. “Any way I can.”

“This is my favorite university; my favorite city. So, I like having this connection.”