​​Marilyn Wade Warrens

Community and Civic Leader

California State University, Chico

Marilyn Warrens’ lifetime of dedicated civic and community service includes a significant and lasting connection to California State University, Chico.

Ms. Warrens has made a tremendous impact on the university. She has served as chair and board member for the University Foundation, and chair and member of the University Advisory Board, as well as a member of the Friends of Court Theatre. She has established a scholarship in the Department of Theatre Arts and annually supports the university’s Court Theatre, the Bach Festival and the North State Symphony. Further, she was the 1999 recipient of the Chico State Distinguished Alumna Award, College of Humanities and Fine Arts.

Ms. Warrens also has a long history of community involvement and has received numerous awards including the Excellence in Community Service Award, Chico Economic Planning Corporation (2007); the Pat Lappin Award for Community Service, Chamber of Commerce (1981); and the Community Service Award, Rotary Club of Chico (1978).

She has been and continues to be a great supporter of the arts. She was the chair of the Chico City Light Opera, the chair of the Laxson Auditorium refurbishing project and founding board member of the Chico Museum Association.

Ms. Warrens received a fine arts, diversified bachelor’s degree from California State University, Chico in 1975. She also completed two years toward a master’s degree in the School of Communications at the university. A member of the Chico community since 1961, she began a public relations business in Chico in 1981 as Warren Public Relations Associates and also opened an import clothing boutique that same year, which she operated until 1989.

In recognition of her generous philanthropy and dedicated service, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, Chico are proud to confer upon Marilyn Warrens the honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts.