Marianne Maynard Needham

Alumna of the Year

Criteria: Graduate of the College, continuing interest in the College and Alumni Association as represented by outstanding service, and/or by impressive financial contribution

Marianne has been an active alumna since graduating almost 50 years ago. She is an advocate for the College, generous benefactor, engaged fundraiser and Alumni Association board member for 12 years, most recently serving as past president. Marianne was a distinguished educator, retiring from CCRI in 2001 after 29 years as a professor of mathematics. She has chaired just about every committee possible as an alumni board member. She also served on the College's sesquicentennial committee and the RIC Foundation. As a student, Marianne was involved with the popular modern dance club, which led to a lifelong passion for the College's dance program. The dance faculty could always count on Marianne for support. Marianne is the sixth member of the Class of 1959 to be honored as an alumna/alumnus of the year. This speaks volumes for the involvement of a class, which to this day gathers several times a year. The College is a family affair. Her mother Marion graduated in 1926 and sister Jean McMillan graduated in 1961.