Educator and philanthropist Dr. Marion Kremen passed away Friday, June 15, at her Fresno area home. She was 102.

Dr. Kremen was a graduate of the Peabody Institute of Music in Baltimore, Md., and was a classical pianist. A lifelong educator, she was an elementary school teacher and principal. She was also on the faculty of numerous colleges, including Fresno State, Michigan State University and Johns Hopkins.

In 2001, the education school at Fresno State was renamed the Benjamin and Marion Kremen School of Education and Human Development after she donated a living trust and annual commitment to the university that was valued at $4 million. At that time, her gift was Fresno State’s second-largest contribution to support an academic program.

Fresno State was the first campus in the California State University system to have a named school of education.

She made her gift to Fresno State in memory of her husband Benjamin Kremen. He founded Fresno State’s school counselor-education program and was a faculty member for over 25 years, retiring in 1976. Dr. Benjamin Kremen passed away in 1995.

“While we mourn the passing of Marion Kremen, we also celebrate her generosity and her exemplary commitment to education that helps continue Fresno State’s proud and long tradition of preparing teachers for our region’s classrooms,” said Fresno State President John D. Welty.

“Mrs. Kremen and her late husband, Dr. Benjamin Kremen, a pioneer in Fresno State’s counselor-education program, gave opportunities to thousands of students to fulfill their own dreams of guiding our children through the education system,” Welty said.

Dr. Paul Beare, dean of the Kremen School, said that Dr. Kremen dedicated her life to advancing higher education. “We are indebted to her for the many contributions she made to our college. The Kremens’ substantial legacy also includes Fresno State’s first independent doctorate program that trains educational leaders to plan and implement effective strategies to improve their schools  today, while laying a solid foundation for future success.”

Fresno State’s Kremen School of Education and Human Development is nationally respected for its programs in education and counseling. This year, the school awarded 675 teaching credentials and 325 graduate degrees, including 17 doctorates in Educational Leadership.

The Kremen School is the only institution in the area accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

For more information, contact Kathleen Schock, the campaign communications director, at 559.278.2756 or kschock@csufresno.edu.