Dr. Marguerite Farley
1993
Dr. Marguerite M. Farley was the Chair of the Communications Arts Department at Villanova University for a decade. She devoted most of her professional career to the development of radio and television programming for children.
As the former Executive Director of Communications Media for the School District of Philadelphia for a quarter of a century, Marguerite was responsible for all aspects of radio and television education in the public schools, including both the scheduling and utilization of instructional television programs aired over WHYY-TV and WUHY-TV.
She also gave leadership to the development of programs for parents in the use of television with children in the home.
She had produced numerous radio and television programs on both commercial and public television and radio stations, many of which have received national recognition and awards.
A graduate of Chestnut Hill College, Farley held a master’s degree in educational administration and a doctorate in educational media from Temple University. She served as a consultant on community uses of cable television. Her research interests also included an examination of the viewing habits of latchkey children.
Dr. Farley was a member of St. Leo’s Parish where she served as lector and Eucharistic minister as well as a member of the parish financial board. She was also a member of the Board of Directors of Citizens Action for Better Television.
Many Temple University students remember her as “the lady from the Board of Education” who came to the WRTI studios where she produced “The WFIL Studio Schoolhouse” programs, the longest running educational program aired by a commercial station.
In 1982 and 1983, Dr. Marguerite Farley served as our 20th President. Farley was also Vice-President of our organization from 1980 to 1982. She was the head of our Oral History project in 1991 and served many years on our scholarship committee. She was also a member of our Board of Governors (now called the Board of Directors) for a decade.
Dr. Marguerite M. Farley passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 1996 from cancer. She was 64.
From the official archives of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
Photo originally donated by Villanova University
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