Marie Lou Campbell Endowed Scholarship Fund

“Marie Campbell was a resident of Boulder for 90 years, until her passing on May 13, 2021. Marie and her identical twin, Martha Campbell, were born August 4, 1926, in La Veta, Colorado to Walter A. Campbell and Daisy (Hamilton) Campbell. Her father died when she was four months old. In 1030, Marie’s mother and her four daughters exchanged the Spanish Peaks of La Veta for the Flatirons of Boulder, when her mother moved the family here so the girls could have excellent educational opportunities. Marie’s grandfather, James G. Hamilton, was a pioneer who helped settle La Veta in 1868 after traveling to Colorado twice by covered wagon from Missouri. The furnishings he brought to Colorado are on display at the Francisco Fort Museum in La Veta.

After attending the University of Colorado, Marie enjoyed a 40-year career at the CU Norlin Library (Education Library and Periodicals Room), retiring in 1990. Marie was generous in her community and was involved with The Colorado Chautauqua, First Presbyterian Church, Friends of the Library, Historic Boulder, and La Veta Historic Museum. Having lived her life in the shadows of the Rockies with her beloved sister, Martha, Marie loved laughing, dogs, gardening, her friends, and most of all her family.

She also had a passion for children’s literature and remembered fondly working with Virgina Westerberg, a faculty member at the CU School of Education.

This scholarship will be used to provide undergraduate scholarship awards for students enrolled in the School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. Qualified applicants will be Colorado residents who are pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Preference will be given to students who are first generation in their family to attend college. High school graduates from rural counties in Colorado are strongly encouraged to apply. The scholarship will be distributed based on financial need.