Official Newsletter of the Marshall University Alumni Association | October 2022 |
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Diversity – Integrity – Loyalty – Pride – Respect |
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Homecoming is back Oct. 29 |
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Marshall University proudly extends a warm invitation toward its alumni, family and friends back to campus for its 2022 Homecoming celebration Oct. 29.
The theme, Fun in the Sun!, is a nod to the Sun Belt Conference, and plays up the name of our Homecoming opponent, Coastal Carolina University.
This year’s activities will begin early in the week with the Unity Walk and end with our highly anticipated Homecoming football game against Coastal Carolina on Oct. 29. Campus events are sponsored by the Marshall University Alumni Association, Student Government Association, Office of Student Activities, Office of Intercultural Affairs and others.
We hope to see you there!
#HerdHomecoming
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See you at the Alumni & Family Tailgate!
All are invited to join the Marshall University Alumni Association for the Marshall Alumni & Family Tailgate presented by Woodlands Retirement Community on Saturday, Oct. 29 beginning 3 hours before kickoff (game time will be announced 2 weeks before the game).
This year the tailgate will take place in the Joan C. Edwards Stadium East Lot, beside the Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Facility.
Tickets are $15 and includes food, drinks, entertainment, tailgating games, plus appearances by the Marching Thunder, cheerleaders, coaches and other special guests!
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Register now for the Homecoming 5k
Alumni, students and members of the Marshall University community are invited to come together for a fun run/walk around campus! Featuring a new route weaving through campus and prizes for multiple age groups, this is one event you don’t want to miss!
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Enjoy the best of downtown Huntington at the MUAA Homecoming StamFEED!
Join us for a night on the town and reunite with fellow alums as we celebrate Homecoming 2022!
Enjoy all that Downtown Huntington has to offer as we tour some of the city’s best drinks and eats at the following locations: Summit Beer Station, Sip Downtown Brasserie, Marshall Hall of Fame Cafe and Cellar Door. Attendees will receive a commemorative Homecoming 2022 glass, sponsored by Jenkins Fenstermaker PLLC. The deadline to register is Oct. 19, so don’t miss out! |
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Other Homecoming Schedule Highlights |
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Unity Walk
Monday, Oct. 24 @ 5:00pm
WHERE: Marshall University campus
WHAT: All are invited to this unifying walk around campus to show their Marshall pride! Immediately following the walk, the Homecoming court will be announced.
INFO: Alumni and community members are invited to participate
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Parade & Bonfire
Thursday, Oct. 27 @ 6:30pm
WHERE: Downtown Huntington ending on Fifth Ave. in front of campus
WHAT: Floats, music and more celebrating Marshall Homecoming! After the parade, stay for a massive bonfire and pep rally on Harless Field.
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Picnic on the Plaza
Friday, Oct. 28 @ 11:30am
WHERE: Memorial Student Center Plaza
WHAT: Homecoming pep rally featuring free food, music, giveaways, and special appearances
INFO: Free event for students, faculty, staff, alumni and Marshall supporters
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Marshall vs.
Coastal Carolina
Saturday, Oct. 29 @ TBD
WHERE: Joan C. Edwards Stadium
WHAT: The Thundering Herd battles Coastal Carolina in a pivotal Sun Belt Conference matchup!
INFO: Ticket prices vary
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Alumni Spotlight:
Jim Datin
DATIN NAMED HOMECOMING GRAND MARSHAL
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Marshall University and the Marshall University Alumni Association are excited to announce that alumnus Jim Datin will serve as grand marshal for Marshall’s 2022 Homecoming activities the week of Oct. 24-29.
Datin recently retired as president and chief executive officer of BioAgilytix, a leading global bioanalytical contract research organization. During his time there, the company grew from less than 50 employees to more than 1,100 and was continually recognized as one of the nation’s fastest growing companies. Datin graduated from Marshall University in 1985 with a degree in marketing and was elected to Marshall’s business hall of fame in 2018.
Highlighting his role as grand marshal, Datin will lead the annual Homecoming parade on Thursday, Oct. 27, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The popular parade is set to make its way down Fourth Avenue in Huntington before ending on campus. The parade will be a part of a full week of activities for this year’s Homecoming, Fun in the Sun!, celebrating Marshall’s inaugural season in the Sun Belt Conference.
“We are proud to welcome Jim back to Huntington as our grand marshal for this year’s Homecoming celebration,” said Ron Area, CEO of the Marshall University Foundation. “Jim has done great things since his days here on campus in the world of business, but he has always remained a son of Marshall at heart. He is very deserving of this honor, and we can’t wait to celebrate together later this month.”
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Marshall Rises raises $176 million for Marshall |
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More than 50,000 gifts recorded during campaign |
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The Marshall University Foundation has announced that Marshall Rises, the largest and most ambitious fundraising campaign in Marshall University history, has raised more than $176 million in support of the university.
More than 50,000 gifts were recorded during the campaign spread across 1,300 different designations at the university, ensuring that a wide range of programs and projects were directly touched by the campaign.
Marshall Rises publicly launched in October 2019 with a goal of raising $150 million, after having already secured more than $100 million during the quiet phase that began July 2016. By May 2021, the campaign reached its $150 million target, eventually topping $176 million when the campaign formally concluded earlier this year.
The conclusion of the campaign was celebrated on campus the week of Sep. 26-29 during the larger Thank A Donor Days celebration honoring those who make an impact at Marshall through giving.
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Find out how Marshall Rises has forever impacted Marshall University in our special Impact Report telling the stories of the campaign. |
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Learn more about the history of the Marshall Rises campaign through this special video reliving the largest campaign in Marshall history. |
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Brad D. Smith officially installed as president of Marshall University |
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In an outdoor ceremony on the Huntington campus Friday, Sep. 16, complete with the pomp and circumstance of academic tradition, Marshall University graduate and former Silicon Valley CEO Brad D. Smith was officially installed as Marshall University’s 38th president.
The investiture is a formal installation of a university president and is customarily held during a new president’s first year in office.
Smith, who assumed the presidency nine months ago, is a native of Kenova, West Virginia, a 1986 graduate of Marshall and a successful former CEO and president of Intuit.
“They say that gratitude is when a memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind,” Smith said. “I can assure you that I will carry this memory in my heart forever.”
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Marshall receives $13.8M gift from State of West Virginia toward baseball stadium |
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Marshall Athletics received a $13.8 million gift from the State of West Virginia at a ceremony held on the site of the school's future baseball stadium.
The gift, in the form of a check from the State of West Virginia, was presented by Gov. Jim Justice, a graduate of Marshall University and himself a former student-athlete.
"What an extraordinary day for Marshall, for our baseball program and for our awesome community," said Christian Spears, director of athletics.
"Let's not forget this baseball stadium vision started with our mayor, Steve Williams, and the City of Huntington and their amazing gift to help launch us, and then for the State of West Virginia and our governor to close the loop. Extraordinary!"
Justice presented the oversized check to Spears and Marshall University President Brad D. Smith. Then, Justice delivered a ceremonial first pitch on the future site of the stadium as cheers erupted.
The gift is a substantial step in the process of Marshall building an on-campus stadium.
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Alumni News, Chapters
and Member Benefits
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Matt James named Executive Director of Alumni Relations
Marshall University Foundation CEO Dr. Ron Area has announced that Matt James has been named the new executive director of alumni relations at Marshall University.
James was previously the assistant dean of intercultural and student affairs at the university.
“Matt is an exceptional leader who has dedicated his professional career to helping advance the goals and objectives of Marshall University,” Area said. “From his time as a student to today, he has been an advocate for student advancement, and I am confident that he will continue that great work with our strong network of alumni around the world.”
A native of Bluefield, West Virginia, James is a two-time graduate of Marshall, graduating cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences in 2009 and earning a master’s degree in school counseling in 2011. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in higher education leadership and administration.
James, a former student body president at Marshall, has served the university in multiple roles since 2009. He has served in his current position as assistant dean of students since 2015. For his work, James has also received numerous recognitions including being named as one of West Virginia’s Top 40 under 40 by the State Journal in 2022.
Throughout his career, James has been a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion on campus, and has devoted his career to helping students at Marshall succeed. Through that experience, James is excited to begin this next chapter as an ambassador for Marshall and looks forward to bringing alumni together for the common goal of advancing the university.
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Marshall 26 - Notre Dame 21 |
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Thank you to #HerdAlum nation for sending in your photos from Marshall's historic 26-21 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday, Sep. 10 in South Bend, Indiana. Check out some of the best photos from the hundreds that were sent in in our photo collage from the big game! |
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Woodlands Retirement Community |
A premier Continuing Care Retirement Community in Huntington |
The Marshall University Alumni Association is proud to partner with Woodlands Retirement Community located in Huntington, West Virginia.
Woodlands Retirement Community is a premier Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) for people 55 and over that sits atop 171 acres of spectacular property overlooking hilltops and valleys in the area. Woodlands is a community that offers peace of mind by catering to three defining areas of living. First, encouraging wellness through an active, independent lifestyle and the companionship of close friends. Second, spacious cottages and apartments and providing services, events and special amenities to provide an unparalleled independent living experience. Finally, providing every resident access to onsite assisted living and memory support, should health care services ever be required.
Woodlands has the distinction of being the region’s only LifeCare community. Residents who choose LifeCare have the security of knowing they will always be able to stay in their Woodlands home – near friends, old and new – even if their health care needs change and they outlive their financial resources.
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Marshall's win over Notre Dame last month was Marshall's second victory over a top 10 team in program history. The previous win came on Sep. 20, 2003 when the Thundering Herd upset No. 6 Kansas State 27-20.
In that game, Graham Gochneaur won a battle of backup quarterbacks when he threw a game-winning 3-yard touchdown pass to Jason Rader and added a 2-point conversion with just over 3 minutes left to play to secure the win. The Herd also rushed for 210 yards, forced four turnovers and made two goal-line stands in breaking Kansas State's 41-game home nonconference winning streak in the historic win.
See more throwback photos and #HerdHistory every week on the Marshall University Alumni Association social media channels.
@MarshallUAlumni
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Marshall Foundation
News and Updates
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Jenkins Fenstermaker pledges gift toward Center for Business and Innovation |
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The Marshall University Foundation has announced that Jenkins Fenstermaker PLLC has pledged a gift of $75,000 in support of the new Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation at Marshall University.
“As part of this community for almost 100 years, we are proud to support the Marshall University Lewis College of Business, the premier training ground for future business leaders and innovators in our community and beyond,” said Steven Wellman, managing member for Jenkins Fenstermaker. “Many of our attorneys and staff attended Marshall University, and we are excited to play a small part in the future growth and success of the Lewis College of Business. We believe that our partnership with Marshall University will benefit both institutions for many years to come.”
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Engineering, computer science students to benefit from Thrasher Scholarship
The Thrasher Group recently established the Thrasher Group Scholarship to support Marshall University students in the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences.
Recipients will be West Virginia residents who are in good academic standing with a 3.0 GPA or higher and have financial need, per the standards of the Office of Student Financial Assistance. The award is non-renewable with only one recipient a year.
“So many of our employees are West Virginia educated, and we are really proud of that. This is just another way for us to help feed that talent pipeline here at home,” said Jenny Weaver, human resources director at the Thrasher Group.
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Marshall to partner on projects in $63 million federal award
An announcement was made last month that nearly $63 million in federal Economic Development Authority (EDA) funding to West Virginia as part of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge equals a direct investment to Marshall University and its regional partners for projects in the Huntington-Charleston corridor.
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Marshall named a top school for online education in counseling
Marshall University has been named one of today’s best schools for online higher education in counseling by the website EduMed.org. Marshall’s online program earned top honors for its overall quality, affordability and commitment to student success. Six percent of regionally accredited colleges and universities earned a ranking position.
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Marshall Division of Aviation to receive $1 million
Marshall University is set to receive $1 million in federal funding aimed at increasing the university’s ability to provide an increased workforce in aviation for the area. The money will help the Aviation Maintenance program at Tri-State Airport train airplane mechanics to work on airplanes in their backyard and worldwide.
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Microbiology lab acquires state-of-the-art Motic microscopes
When Marshall University students are working in the microbiology teaching lab in the Department of Biological Sciences, they’ll now be able to capture images of their samples and download them using tablets that are attached right to the microscopes themselves. These new, state-of-the-art Panthera E2 Trinoc Compound microscopes are game-changers for scientists.
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519 John Marshall Drive,
Huntington, WV 25703
(304)-696-3134
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