At Loyola University Chicago’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS), the legacy of Marie M. Ginther (BBA ’87) lives on through the scholarship created in her name. Her life—defined by resilience, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to service—continues to inspire students who, like her, balance education with life’s challenges. 

Marie Ginther was a remarkable woman whose impactful life ended far too soon.

After graduation from Loyola in 1987 from what was then called University College, now SCPS, Marie Ginther went on to work in a successful career as a corporate controller in New York City.  After retiring early at age 54, Marie shifted her focus to helping others, volunteering in New York City soup kitchens and as an end-of-life doula at Mount Sinai Hospital.  She also committed herself to service projects across the world in places like Cairo, Cuba, Ethiopia, Vietnam and Haiti.  Marie and her husband, Ray, served on the boards of organizations that uplift vulnerable communities.  

Marie’s drive to pursue an education while working full-time, raising her two sons, and overcoming obstacles, speaks volumes about her character and her determination. 

In 2010, Marie was recognized with Loyola’s prestigious Damen Award for her leadership and service. She continues to be remembered and honored with the establishment and growth of the Marie M. Ginther Endowed Scholarship in the SCPS. 

In 2011, a few years after Marie retired, she was diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer's disease. During the late stages of her disease, Marie lived for many years in a full-time care facility near her family home. For those who loved her, it was difficult to accept that a once-independent woman who had so fully embraced life now had to rely on others for her care. Ray says he wants to remember Marie as a beautiful, loving and giving person who tragically had her life cut too short through no fault of her own. Marie passed away surrounded by loved ones in May 2022. 

Ray shared that his family’s decision to establish the scholarship at Loyola SCPS was born from their gratitude for the support Marie received while earning her degree at Loyola. “Earning her degree made all the difference in our family’s quality of life. We wanted to give back to non-traditional students who want to pursue their degree for the same reasons as Marie. We wanted to recognize her life of service, her genuine character, and Marie as an inspiration to these adult learners who will have the same opportunity of a college education.”  

The scholarship offers more than financial aid—it provides hope, encouragement, and the opportunity for recipients to follow their dreams, unburdened by the financial stress that often goes with higher education. Ray has personally seen the significant effect of the scholarship through his interactions with the Ginther Scholars, reflecting, “This experience at Loyola and the SCPS has taught me that the Marie M. Ginther scholarship is having a profound impact on the school and the student scholarship recipients. The level of gratitude from these students is extraordinary.” 

Voices of Gratitude from Ginther Scholars

For many SCPS students, receiving the Marie M. Ginther Scholarship stands for more than just financial relief—it’s a source of inspiration and validation. One recipient, Martin Silver, shared his heartfelt appreciation: 

"The scholarship cut out hard choices that needed to be appraised at any given moment. I did not have to continue that mental calculus of whether I could afford to invest in my future. The scholarship gave me the ability to live life more on my terms, with room to send some support to my mother and brother. It allowed me to feel seen and valued, much like Marie was, and I carry her legacy with me every day." 

Another recipient, Maggie Wimp, echoed this sentiment, expressing her deep gratitude: 

"I am a single mom working toward my bachelor's degree, and with this scholarship help, I will be graduating in December 2024. I’m also studying for the LSAT to attend law school in 2025. It took me a long time to go back to school, but this assistance has made my future possible. I hope to meet Ray Ginther someday to thank him in person for memorializing his wife in such a beautiful way." 

Looking to the Future

Over time, Ray’s commitment to supporting non-traditional students at the SCPS has only deepened. After a touching interaction with one of the Ginther Scholars, Jessica Dent, his perspective on involving his own family in his philanthropy shifted. During a Zoom meeting, Jessica introduced her young daughter to Ray and shared how the scholarship had allowed her to work toward completing her degree. She expressed the importance of being a role model for her daughter, inspiring her to pursue her dreams despite life’s many responsibilities. 

That moment had a profound effect on Ray. Seeing the generational impact of the Marie M. Ginther Scholarship, he felt inspired to consider how his own sons could be part of supporting students like Jessica who was creating a legacy for her family. “Meeting Jessica and her daughter made me deeply reflect on the importance of involving my sons in this journey,” Ray said. “Just as this scholar is striving to be an example for her daughter, I want my children to see the lasting difference we can make in the lives of others in memory of Marie.” 

Ray hopes that he can continue to take some hardship away and help students realize their dream of a college education. He hopes the Marie M. Ginther scholarship will continue to inspire Loyola SCPS students to carry on Marie’s legacy of service and perseverance. Ray's words ring true: “You cannot fix the whole world, but you can make a difference in a little piece of it.”  

For the Ginther Scholars, that small piece of the world means everything.