Joseph C. and Marie M. Rolle Award

The NAU Foundation and Office of Leadership & Engagement invite junior-level NAU students to apply for the Joseph C. and Marie M. Rolle Award. The award recognizes the efforts of students with outstanding character, strong engagement, and service to the NAU communities.

The Joseph C. and Marie M. Rolle Endowed Award for Excellence Fund shall be to provide awards to meritorious students, subject to the following criteria:

1. Full-time student with Junior class standing; all funds will be applied during senior year
2. Attendee at NAU’s Flagstaff Mountain Campus; and
3. Demonstrated outstanding character, engagement, and service to the NAU community. The Donor prioritizes character above GPA.

To be considered, nominees must submit:

1. An essay (250 words or less) regarding a lived experience as a student and how mentors or involvement in athletics, activities, clubs or organizations at NAU helped shape their character;
2. A list of activities involving service to others, including volunteer activities, involvement in their major’s College/School, and/or other activities (including events, employment, etc.) both on and off campus;
3. A letter of self-recommendation or a letter of recommendation from a faculty or staff member, adviser, or other mentor at NAU.

The Office of Leadership & Engagement solicits nominations once per academic year. Nominations may be initiated by students (including self-nomination), faculty, and staff at NAU’s Flagstaff Mountain Campus.

The award shall be open to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, citizenship, or other legally or policy protected status.

Biography of Joe and Marie Rolle

Joseph C. Rolle was a native to Arizona born September 5, 1917 in Bisbee to Charles and Mary Rolle. He ventured to Flagstaff in 1937 to attend what was then known as Arizona State Teachers College where he became student body president and played numerous sports. He graduated with a BA in 1941 and began gathering additional degrees throughout his career that included a Master of Arts from NAU, Ed.S. from Columbia University and finally a Doctor of Humane Letters from Northern Arizona in 1980.

Marie Morfeld was born on August 20, 1920 in Greeley, Nebraska to A.B. and Susie Morfeld. After graduating from St. Bonaventure High School in 1937, she moved with her family to Arizona. She met Joe Rolle in Springerville, Arizona.

Joe and Marie were married on December 26, 1942 in Brownwood, TX. Joe was shipped overseas to the Pacific during World War II just one month later and served as a Lieutenant in the United States Army.

Joe’s career at NAU started in 1947 when he became the bookstore manager. He subsequently held many other positions leading to his tenure as Dean of Students until his retirement in 1982. His great enthusiasm for NAU and support for students earned him awards including Homecoming dedicatee, NAU Sports Hall of Fame, NAU Alumni Outstanding Board member, The Board of Regents Award for Outstanding Service to Higher Education and many others. He was also proud to award scholarships that include the McDonald/Rolle Scholarship, the Joseph C. Rolle Outstanding Basketball Trophy that has been awarded for the last 52 years and the Joseph C. and Marie M. Rolle Award for Excellence.

Joe was an active member of the community through Nativity Church, Arizona Boys State Board of Directors, NAU Boosters Club, member of the Arizona Screening Committee for the Air Force Academy, Elks Club and always a part of the NAU Alumni Board.

Marie also worked at Northern Arizona University for many years. She began her career there as the NAU Bookstore Manager and eventually retired as the Director of Career Planning and Placement. Marie was very active with the faculty wives of NAU and was also an honorary Gamma Phi Beta.

Joe and Marie’s marriage spanned 68 years until Joe’s death on February 13, 2011. Marie M. Rolle passed away on March 29, 2014. They are survived by their children Charles Joseph Rolle and his wife Julie B. Rolle of Scottsdale, AZ, Jo Anne Rolle Harper and her husband R. Steven Harper of Scottsdale, AZ, and Randi Rolle and her husband Doug Umlah of Flagstaff, AZ. Their son Lawrence Michael (Murphy) predeceased them in 1989 in a military helicopter crash.

The Rolle family legacy at NAU continues through Joe and Marie’s philanthropy and the many family and friends who have given to the funds they created during their lifetimes. After many years of Joe selecting the men’s Most Valuable Player basketball award, Marie founded the Most Valuable Player award for the NAU women’s basketball team. In honor of both Marie and Joe’s dedication to NAU, the Joseph C. and Marie M. Award for Excellence endowment was established in 1989 and will support students in perpetuity who reflect the determination, achievement, and outstanding character Joe and Marie instilled in their children and many students they mentored. The Joseph C. Rolle Activity Center honors Joe’s engagement and dedication to student activities on NAU’s Flagstaff Mountain Campus.