Marjorie Gwendolyn Carter Dey graduated from the Cortland State Teachers College in 1950. She was a very active student who would go onto to play a major role in her community and the field of education.
While in college, she was a member of multiple student-based organizations including the Cortland Glee Club and the Music Council. The council members were responsible in overseeing the glee clubs, orchestra, band, and creating programs such as the Spring Concert Series. She was a member of the Theta Phi Society and Cortland's Cardinal Key Society. This is a national honor society that includes selected aspiring future leaders who organize events, like Orientation, or preparing student handbooks. Carter's campus involvement is evident, but what makes this remarkable is her ability to challenge adversity. While at Cortland, Carter was the only African-American student enrolled.
Upon graduating with her certificate, Carter went on to become the City of Syracuse's first African-American teacher. She primarily taught first and second grade to the community she grew up in herself. Carter became a part-time instructional specialist at Syracuse University during the summer months and would become the first president of the Syracuse Teacher's Association. She played a role in many areas involving teaching such as serving on various boards and received multiple awards during her 40-year service commemorating her contribution to the region, state, and profession. Carter was honored by SUNY Cortland in 2000 with the establishment of the "Marjorie Carter Dey '50 Scholarship in Urban Education."
