NAU alumna, faculty member building legacy in Yuma higher ed

Marjorie Barcomb

Marjorie Barcomb, NAU alumna and part-time faculty in Extended Campuses, recently was honored in Yuma for her service to higher education and the community.

Arizona Western College, a partner of Northern Arizona University in Yuma, named the Agriculture and Science Complex in honor of Barcomb, who currently is serving as president of the college’s district governing board. She has served on the board since 1985.

Barcomb recalled being overcome with emotion upon learning of the honor.

“I had never given a thought that a building would ever be named in my honor,” she said. “Listening to the speakers at the dedication ceremony, I realized that the hard work I had done on the governing board for the past 26 years, coupled with my love for students, education and science, played a major role in my being selected for this outstanding honor.”

Barcomb earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and master’s degree in advanced classroom teaching from the University at Albany, N.Y., and a doctorate of education from NAU.

She began working at NAU in 1989, retired as an associate professor in 2000, and has continued to work for the university as part-time faculty. In her 22 years with the university, Barcomb has taught more than 30 different sections, ranging from a variety of education and psychology courses to research and statistics.