For La Salle University Faculty Service Award Recipient Marjorie Allen, It’s All About the Kids

Marjorie Allen realized early on in her academic career that she was cut out to be a teacher.

“I went to a graduate school that was very research-oriented,” said Allen, who earned her Ph.D. degree at Princeton University. “One of the things I decided when I was there was that I loved spending time more with people than with libraries. Oh, I love libraries too, but I wanted to spend most of my time working with kids,” she said.

Allen was able to do that by becoming a Professor of English at La Salle University, whose main educational mission is teaching. She recently received La Salle’s Distinguished Faculty Service Award, primarily for her work in the University’s Academic Discovery Program, which counsels students who have the potential to succeed in college but do not meet the University’s normal entrance requirements

In addition to her regular teaching schedule, Allen has taught in the Academic Discovery Program for more than 25 years. The program provides incoming freshmen additional instruction in math, language, critical thinking and study skills.

“I find it extremely challenging and exciting work because these kids are smart; they enjoy being challenged, and they do well at LaSalle,” Allen said. “It’s incredibly satisfying and one of the joys of my life.”

Bob Meidel, Director of the Academic Discovery Program, said, “She is the core of the English component. She works really, really hard.”

Allen teaches a six-week intensive course in the summer that covers the basics of English grammar and academic writing.

“Our students in this program come in with some sort of academic deficits. By the end of the summer, they’ve covered grammar, paragraph writing, academic writing, and research, and by the fall, they’re holding their own in the University in regular courses,” said Meidel.

For Allen, “It’s the mission of the institution. Part of it is that we’re an urban university, we’re a part of the city, and I want to make sure that urban kids can come here. And part of it is the rewards I get, the personal satisfaction. They’re great kids.”

“They also succeed at sometimes a greater rate than your average student because they get the support,” she said. Students in the program receive tutoring and support after they enroll at La Salle, and Allen makes it a point to stay in touch with them. Among her other accomplishments at La Salle was co-founding La Salle’s Leadership and Global Understanding minor, with Robert Vogel, a professor of elementary and secondary education at the school, and Louise Giugliano, Associate Director of University Ministry and Service at La Salle.

In her acceptance speech for the Faculty Service Award at the University’s Opening Convocation, Allen urged incoming freshmen to “choose to become citizens.”

“Students are taught to be citizens both on and off campus,” Allen said of the program. “The program is focused on civic engagement and includes travel-study courses, most of which require travel abroad. We get students to see themselves as citizens of the world, not just citizens of the United States and their hometowns.”