Hi, I’m Marion Elmquist. I began my career in advertising and journalism, including editorial roles at Advertising Age and Modern Healthcare, and later became a business owner and executive. Since retiring, I’ve remained active as a volunteer, including more than 30 years with Ski for Light, a program for blind and visually impaired cross-country skiers. 

Why CLAS? 

It may sound clichéd, but I truly believe one of the most valuable things a liberal arts education gives you is learning how to learn. Listening has been equally important—being open to what other people know and what their experiences can teach you. Throughout a varied career, I was able to build on what I had learned in previous jobs and in my education and use those experiences to adapt to new situations. 

That process doesn’t end when your career does. I’m still learning through my volunteer work and the new people and organizations I encounter. I think of it as an ever-growing set of building blocks: you use what you know, keep adding new information and experiences, and become better prepared to navigate whatever comes next.