Dr. Marilyn Johnson Burns Class of 1949, became an Educator, Author and Small Business Administrator. Marilyn attributes her solid foundation of growing up in Colorado Springs as the catalyst for her satisfying and most successful life. When Marilyn graduated in 1949, few jobs were open for women, those being nursing, secretarial and teaching. She chose Colorado State University to pursue an education career. She transferred to Colorado University where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics in 1955. Her Master’s Degree was granted by the University of Colorado in 1961, where she began a 20 year career in administration of Home Economics, focused on a the program for training future Home Economics secondary and adult teachers.
Marilyn was selected as a Fulbright –Hayes Exchange Teacher 1970-1971. This experience triggered an excitement for the importance of travel to experience the “real world.” She organized and directed three study-travel programs that included England, Europe, Scandinavia and Scotland. From this experience bloomed the opportunity to intern with a London High Fashion Couture.

She was granted a PH.D from Oklahoma State University in 1981, joined the OSU faculty as a State Specialist with the USDA Cooperative Extension Service, and in 1983 became the interim Associate Dean for the Oklahoma Home Economics Extension Service.

Her most rewarding accomplishment resulted from a simple question a young woman who wanted to know how to price and market her home sewing business products. With little information available, Marilyn researched and developed a new educational program for both urban and rural areas for the Extension Service clientele in the Home-Based Business Field.

Marilyn organized and implemented a national videoconferencing Market Assistance Program, participated as an active member of the USDA National Design Team for Home Based and Micro Business, led numerous conferences and retreats, and published a Directory of Oklahoma Home-Based Businesses. In retirement, she co-authored a 512 page book Business Savvy for Today’s New Entrepreneurs used by several universities and vocational community colleges, and is now in its 2^nd printing.

Her numerous honors and recognitions include: Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year- Top Ten Finalist Kaufman Foundation, National Rural Economic Development Association Leadership Award, the first ever given, SBA Women in Business Advocate of the Year State and Regional Finalist, USDA Superior Service Award and Oklahoma Extension Service Outstanding Faculty University Award.

Marilyn’s greatest home-based business success is found in her beautiful family, Husband Gerald, Class ’49, 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Now retired, Marilyn finds time for hiking, reading and educational travels. She and her husband spend the best months: May- Oct. in Colorado Springs and winter in Arizona.

Dr. Marilyn Johnson Burns pursued a quality education, used God given abilities, and exhibited an enthusiasm for pursuit of a better life for everyone whom she touched. Upon her retirement, an endowment fund was initiated to raise funds for future educational programs for the home-based and micro businesses. The influence of her leadership continues to provide for many people.