Marla Rae Thorn ‘10 Memorial Endowed Scholarship

The Scholarship is to be established at Monmouth University to support graduate Social Work student(s) enrolled in the Clinical Practice with Families and Children (CPFC) specialization. This Scholarship celebrates the life of Marla Rae Thorn, which was tragically cut short on September 12, 2021, following a brief

illness.

From a young age, Marla Rae had the passion to help others and to be an advocate for those who could not speak for themselves.She exuded a beautiful spark, particularly in working with the

elderly. After earning her Bachelor of Social Work degree, Marla Rae stepped away from Social Work for several years to raise her family. In 2008, Marla Rae went back to school, earning her MSW from Monmouth University in 2010. After caring for her father-in-law, and working with the healthcare system to advocate for him and provide him with a peaceful end, she decided it was time to study for

her licensure exam, get back to Social Work, and help others. However, Marla Rae passed away before she was able to take the exam and fulfill her dream. This scholarship is to support a student

who shares Marla Rae's patience and passion for serving others, particularly the elderly.

The Donor, Eric Thorn, Marla Rae's husband, has established the Scholarship to commemorate Marla Rae's commitment to families and to the elderly as a Social Work student. With this Scholarship, Eric hopes to inspire future graduate Social Work students to explore opportunities in the field of geriatrics.