Marcia C. Carthaus

College of Education and Human Development, October 20, 2011

Marcia C. Carthaus received a doctorate in special education in the College of Education and Human Development (CHED) in 1973 at the University of Minnesota. For more than 30 years she served the Edina Public Schools, 20 of which were as director of special education. She is described as an exemplary volunteer and advocate for the College and the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA). She is one of the co-founders and charter member of the CHED Women's Philanthropic Leadership Circle, a giving circle where women pool their financial resources to give scholarships and grants to graduate students and financial awards to women who are "on the way up." She is also a leader of the most active geographic chapters, Southwest Florida UMAA chapter. Because of her leadership and efforts, she was named the Co-National Volunteer of the Year in 2001-2002 by the UMAA. Just two years after she assumed leadership of the Southwest Florida chapter was named UMAA's chapter of the year (2003-2004), in recognition of its innovative program, the annual Minne-College program, which showcases the top teachers and researchers from the University of Minnesota. She was named to the National Board of Volunteers for the UMAA in 2004, where she served on the Program Committee until her term on the National Board was completed in 2010.