Deep Connection, Keen Perception Prompt Major Gift

“I’m well aware of the nature of this university and the students and the need that they have not only financially, but in others ways,” Marjorie Brintnall Shorrock (MBA ‘98) said. 

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. 

Her generosity continues today 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. 

In response to the growing uncertainty born from the fallout from the pandemic, CSU launched the 2-for-1 Tuition Promise, a prong of the larger initiative. The offer will cover the spring tuition of first-time freshmen who successfully complete the fall semester with a 3.0 GPA or better after all financial aid has been applied. Shorrock’s gift will, in part, be used in fulfilling that promise. 

She 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.”