For more than five decades, Marilyn Guy has shaped the educational landscape of the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo region. 

Her work has influenced classrooms, campuses and institutions across generations. Students she once mentored now lead schools. Educators she guided now shape curriculum. Colleagues she worked alongside continue to strengthen academic standards across the region. 

This year, the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce recognizes Marilyn Guy as the 2026 Legacy Leader, the organization’s highest individual honor.  

A lifelong North Dakotan, Guy was born and raised in Bismarck and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1965. She earned her Bachelor of Education in 1969, Master of Education in 1971 and Doctor of Education in 1976 from the University of North Dakota. Her academic path laid the foundation for a career defined by scholarship, leadership and steady service. 

Early in her profession, she served at Loyola University New Orleans in counselor education and school counseling and guidance services. The experience broadened her perspective on student development and institutional support systems. 

In 1973, she began teaching at Red River High School in Grand Forks. Three years later, she joined Concordia College in Moorhead. That decision shaped the next half century. 

At Concordia, Guy served as a professor, chair of the Education Department and assistant academic dean. Her influence extended beyond lecture halls. She helped guide academic direction, mentor faculty and prepare future educators who would serve schools across North Dakota, Minnesota and beyond. In recognition of her extraordinary service, she now holds emeritus status. 

During her tenure at Concordia, Guy’s leadership extended to the national stage. She served as president of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, becoming the youngest president in the organization’s history, the first from a private liberal arts college, the first from North Dakota and only the third woman to hold the position. She advanced a vision centered on children, community partnership and access to opportunity. Her national leadership helped influence conversations around accreditation reform, federal education policy and stronger collaboration between K-12 schools and higher education institutions. 

Her leadership reached beyond higher education. 

From 2009 to 2011, Guy served as interim president of Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo, becoming the first woman in the school’s 103-year history to lead the institution. During a critical period, she oversaw nearly 500 students across two campuses while maintaining the school’s affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Her steady leadership provided continuity and confidence. 

Her experience at the national level strengthened her commitment to representation and inclusion. Throughout her career, she has mentored emerging leaders, particularly women in education, encouraging them to pursue roles that shape institutions and policy. 

Guy also contributed extensively to the broader civic and philanthropic landscape. She served on the Fargo Dome Authority, the Sanford Fargo Foundation Board and numerous local, regional and national committees focused on accreditation, governance and community advancement. Her leadership often centered on strengthening institutional accountability while encouraging collaboration between public and private sectors. In each role, she approached governance with discipline and a belief in stewardship.  

In 2015, she served as a subcommittee co-chair for the Fargo-Moorhead Regional Workforce Study, deepening her understanding of how young professionals choose where to live and work. The experience reinforced her belief that educational institutions, nonprofits and employers must work together to build communities where people want to stay. 

Colleagues often describe her as a “bright light” and “true gem.” Those words reflect both professional excellence and personal grace. Her leadership style is characterized by discipline, humility and an unwavering commitment to students and institutions. 

This recognition also marks an important evolution for The Chamber. 

The Legacy Leader honor was previously presented during The Chamber’s Annual Celebration. As that event transitioned into the Annual Meeting, The Chamber made a deliberate decision to anchor the Legacy Leader recognition within The Awards. The Awards now serve as the organization’s premier platform for honoring business and individual excellence across the region. Placing the Legacy Leader distinction within this event ensures that a lifetime of leadership is recognized alongside the broader story of regional progress. 

Guy’s legacy lives in the educators she prepared, the institutions she strengthened and the standards she helped elevate. Her influence continues to shape classrooms and communities across the region. 

She and her husband, Bill, have been married for more than 50 years. They are proud parents of Stephanie Gruchalla and Mark Guy, and devoted grandparents to four granddaughters. She often says, “Anyone who believes no one is perfect has never had granddaughters.” Time with family remains one of her greatest joys. 

On May 7, Marilyn Guy will be recognized as the 2026 Legacy Leader at The Awards, where The Chamber honors individuals and organizations whose work has shaped the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo region. 

Join us in celebrating Marilyn, alongside the businesses and professionals whose leadership continues to advance our region’s future.