Marilyn Suiter served as a Program Director in the Education and Human Resources Directorate (EHR) at the National Science Foundation (NSF). From 1998, she led several programs within the NSF that promoted Geological Science Education and Diversity. She received her Undergraduate Degree from Franklin & Marshall College and her Master’s Degree from Wesleyan University. Early in her career she taught science in Philadelphia Public Schools, worked at the USGS, in the oil and gas industry, and with the American Geosciences Institute.

A dear friend and advocate for all, Marilyn tirelessly volunteered with numerous geoscience organizations with the intent of bettering those organizations and mentoring youth. From 1993 to present, Marilyn served in a variety of volunteer positions with the GSA. Her responsibilities included work on Geology and Public Policy Committees, Minorities and Women in Geoscience Committees, Technical Program Committees, the Doris Curtis Memorial Committee, and numerous others. Marilyn was an advocate for geoscience growth among underrepresented groups. Over the decades, she positively impacted the young scientists and strengthened both professional and student populations of every organization that she came in contact with. Her work as a distinguished geoscientist netted her numerous awards along the path of her career. One key award that she received as a result of her dedication to expanding diversity in the sciences was the Bill Bromery Award presented to her in 2010 by the Geological Society of America. 

Marilyn maintained working connections with the Association of Women Geoscientists, the American Geoscience Institute, the American Geophysical Union, the National Science Teaching Association, and numerous other organizations, yet she still found the time and energy to join the National Association of Black Geoscientists (NABG) Family. For this we are forever grateful. Marilyn dedicated time to committees that steered the technical content of a number of our conferences. She was instrumental in creating workshops that analyzed and discussed underrepresented student campus relationships. She led the NABG to focus on the unique issues that women geoscientists face as students, as well as in the workplace. One of the biggest contributions to the organization was her presence. Not only did she attend our meetings and conferences, she also brought along her colleagues.

Encounters with some individuals prove to be truly special, enlightening, and beneficial. The NABG has been honored to have had the opportunity to spend years in the company of a true geoscience legend.

We thank you, Marilyn, for all of your contributions to the NABG and geosciences as a whole. NABG extends our condolences to all family, friends, and colleagues of Marilyn.

She will be dearly missed.