Inaugural CNR Legacy Award 

Marlene Melone Tutera SAS ’71 

When Marlene Melone opened her acceptance letter to The College of New Rochelle in 1967, little did she know that it would be a defining moment shaping the heart and soul of her community life for more than 50 years. She gives thanks each day knowing that her family, friends, school district and especially her College have all shared and benefited from the foundation formed by her experiences at CNR.

Tutera received a Bachelor of Arts from The College of New Rochelle in 1971. She was the recipient of the Florence Thompson Scholarship (four-year full tuition for art) and graduated with honors in art. After graduation, she married her high school sweetheart and began her career at CNR as Residence Director of Angela Hall and Director of the Media Center, was promoted to Director of Housing, later became the Director of Alumnae/i Relations, and also applied her artistic talent as the advisor to Annales, the College Yearbook. When Tutera left her employment at CNR, she satisfied her creative instincts as an early childhood educator, director of a summer camp in Mamaroneck, and as the mother of Megan, Kim, Eric and Rachel.

She volunteered in the New Rochelle Public Education system for more than three decades as the president of Ward Elementary School, New Rochelle High School, and the citywide Parent Teachers Association as well as chair of numerous events and as a founder and Board member of the New Rochelle Fund for Excellence, a nonprofit organization committed to providing exciting enrichment programs that encourage students to excel. She is the past President of the Museum of Art & Culture located in New Rochelle High School, the only Regents-chartered museum that exists in any school in New York State. The museum exhibits focus on fine arts, history, literature, science and technology, and are often linked to the local community.

Tutera is a recipient of the CNR Ursula Laurus Award and the Angela Merici Medal for alumnae and community service. She has twice served as President of the Alumnae/i Association and is the immediate Past Chair of the Board of Trustees of The College of New Rochelle. Tutera has always been an active participant at annual reunions, encouraging others to return to campus. As President of the Alumnae/i Association, she was committed to creating a diverse and impactful association, ensuring it was comprised of alumni from different class years and all four schools. Tutera is currently serving as a co-chair of the newly formed CNR Legacy Council. Having been elected as a member of the CNR Board of Trustees during the financial crisis, she takes great pride in ultimately shepherding CNR students and alumni to Mercy College.

Additional honors include the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence Foundation Award, New Rochelle Meals on Wheels Honoree and the Butterflies from Jodie Jeannie Torigian Neville Award for going above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others.

Now retired from 22 years of teaching at the JCC Mid-Westchester Early Childhood Center and 20 years as Director at Beach Point Day Camp, she serves on the Board of the New Rochelle Day Nursery ensuring that preschool education is a priority in her city.

Marlene Melone Tutera attributes credit for all her achievements to the support of her husband John and her family and friends, but most especially to The College of New Rochelle and the extraordinary guidance of the Ursuline Community.