Giving from a Retirement Plan
Marilyn Snider, Strategic Planning Consultant and Facilitator; Member, SMU's 1909 Legacy Society
Marilyn Snider, Former Samuel Merritt University Regent, Multiplies Care for Others through a Scholarship
Nursing is About Giving
Marilyn Snider is committed to both nursing and service. "Nursing is all about caring for and giving to others. That philosophy is an important part of my life," she explains. "It is better if you give and also help others give." So, setting up a nursing scholarship at Samuel Merritt University (SMU) was a natural fit.
Greatest Good
The nursing scholarship helps Marilyn multiply her impact for the greatest good. Formerly an RN, head nurse, and psychiatric nursing assistant professor, Marilyn has been an active volunteer and donor to SMU for more than three decades. She created an annual nursing scholarship to help students with their educational costs and/or reduce their loan debt. Recently, Marilyn decided to increase her support for nursing education at SMU by designating a gift through her estate plan.
Student Gratitude
"Marilyn is a blessing to me. I had to hold three part-time jobs while attending school. Her nursing scholarship made it possible for me to graduate." - Diana Santos, BSN '21
Diana Santos, BSN '21. After graduation, Diana accepted a position in Kaiser Permanente's Northern California Nurse Residency Program.
In 2021, Marilyn received a thank you letter from her scholarship recipient that prompted her to take action. Diana Santos, BSN '21, wrote, "You were there when I needed help the most. You also gave me hope. You have given me hope that my dream can become reality despite the financial struggles and challenges I faced in life."
Marilyn was so moved by the letter that she wanted to meet the student. Working with SMU, Marilyn initiated a meeting with Diana and, since then, they have stayed in touch. Marilyn was invited and proud to attend, in 2021, Diana's pinning ceremony and graduation as a new member of the student's circle of support.
Choosing to Give from a Retirement Plan
For Marilyn, healthcare education is critical. She appreciates SMU's track record and plans for growth to meet healthcare needs. When she and her husband decided to name charities as beneficiaries of their IRAs, Marilyn included SMU. "SMU is dear to me. The University is an important part of my background and I want to continue to help nursing students," Marilyn says.
A Lifetime of Caring for People and Organizations
Marilyn pursued a career as a nurse, which was her goal since she was in the second grade. Her deep care for people's mental well-being eventually led her to earn a Master's Degree in Psychiatric Nursing at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle, so she could help improve emotional care for patients. Her mentor at graduate school encouraged her to teach nursing as a way to multiply her impact. As a result, upon graduation Marilyn began teaching psychiatric nursing at San Francisco State College (now a University).
Overtime, as her family grew, her career evolved and she became a professional facilitator, recognized for her talent in team building, communication, conflict resolution, and strategic planning. Marilyn first came to SMU as a trainer, leading communication workshops for faculty and staff. Afterward, she was invited to join the Samuel Merritt University Board of Regents, where she enjoyed working with the University's senior leadership and committed volunteers.
Throughout her career, nursing education has remained important to Marilyn. And thanks to Marilyn's scholarship, SMU nursing students will face less financial burden as they embark on their nursing careers caring for others.
