Official Newsletter of the Marshall University Alumni Association | September 2022 |
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Diversity – Integrity – Loyalty – Pride – Respect |
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It is hard not to get excited about Marshall vs. Notre Dame.
It is David versus Goliath. Power Five versus Group of Five. Thundering Herd versus Fighting Irish. "We Are Marshall" versus "Rudy." And the list goes on and on.
Marshall University has always enjoyed being in the spotlight. Big games on the big stage are what being a member of Herd Nation is all about. Well, the stage doesn't get much bigger than the one in South Bend, Indiana, for a game against the Fighting Irish.
At the end of the day, it is just a game. Win, lose or draw, we will continue to wear our green and white and shout "Go Herd" at anyone in matching attire. But there is just something special about the game this weekend against one of the five winningest college football programs of alltime.
So sit back and enjoy watching Marshall take the field at Notre Dame Stadium. Or enjoy the sights, sounds and traditions in-person. Either way, just enjoy a good game in a setting unlike many others.
Enjoy reading this edition of Sons & Daughters. GO HERD!
MU Office of Alumni Relations
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Marshall, Mountwest officially open Aviation Maintenance Technology Program |
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Embraer announces gift, partnership with university |
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U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, representatives of Marshall University and Mountwest Community and Technical College, and other dignitaries cut the ribbon on the new Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program’s facility at Huntington Tri-State Airport.
“This program was made possible by the collaborative relationship between Mountwest and Marshall,” said Dr. Joshua Baker, president of Mountwest. “Each institution made valuable contributions that will develop our economy and workforce and create great careers for students.”
“Today marks a history-making event,” Marshall President Brad D. Smith said. “The launch of this degree program means students will receive support and their degrees from both Marshall and Mountwest. How exciting that we have partners and allies who are working across boundaries and barriers to find solutions and answers.”
The event was also highlighted by the announcement of a new partnership with the Embraer Foundation, a nonprofit created by Embraer, who provided a financial contribution. The gift will, among other things, provide tool kits for students to use in their coursework. This grant represents one of six education partnerships with schools with similar technical programs. Marshall’s is believed to be the largest thus far.
“Education has always been at the root of Embraer’s culture and serves as the foundation of our social investment strategies abroad and in the United States. In particular, we are committed to inspiring aviation through workforce development and educational partnerships like Marshall University’s new Aviation Maintenance Technology program,” said Monica Newman McCluney, head of the Embraer Foundation. “Aviation is a robust, high growth industry and the incoming students at Marshall University have the opportunity to greatly contribute to the future of flight. We celebrate the university, as well as the students, and are proud to be part of this journey.”
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Noe named Chief Aviation Officer |
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Marshall University President Brad D. Smith announced that longtime aviation executive Bill Noe, for whom Marshall’s flight school is named, has been named Chief Aviation Officer for the Division of Aviation at the university.
Noe, an accomplished pilot, and former President and Chief Operations Officer for NetJets, a global private jet company, has served as a trusted advisor to Marshall’s aviation program since its conception in 2017.
Smith said the vision for the chief aviation officer is to lead both the Bill Noe Flight School, a four-year baccalaureate program, and the aviation maintenance technology program, an 18-month degree, opening this fall in partnership with Mountwest Community and Technical College.
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Herd easily dispatches of Norfolk State. Next up, Notre Dame |
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Marshall's first football game as a member of the Sun Belt Conference would, naturally, include a long list of firsts.
Caleb McMillan recorded the first touch of the Sun Belt era. Kicker Rece Verhoff scored the first points. Local product — Poca's Ethan Payne — scored the first touchdown. Later, Payne became the first to produce a multi-TD effort in the SBC. First defensive score: Owen Porter, another locally grown Thundering Herd football player.
By the time Marshall had concluded its opening game, it was nothing but sunshine. The Herd easily handled Norfolk State, 55-3, in front of 24,607 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Next up, Marshall returns to action this Saturday in a much-anticipated matchup at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish will host the Herd at Notre Dame Stadium for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on NBC.
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Metro tuition rate eligibility expanded for students in Ohio and Kentucky |
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In a move that is expected to attract more students from Ohio and Kentucky to Marshall University, the university’s board of governors approved the expansion of metro tuition rate eligibility to a 100-mile radius from the Huntington campus.
Currently the metro rate applies to border counties including Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Pike and Scioto counties of Ohio and Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin and Pike counties of Kentucky.
Click below to learn which counties are included.
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Busy first week for MU students |
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Marshall University students were met with a few surprises on the first day of the fall semester. Marshall President Brad D. Smith posed for selfies and handed out cookies to celebrate the return of students to campus, kicking off a busy two-week stretch on the Huntington campus.
The week prior thousands of first-year students gathered on campus during Week of Welcome to explore Marshall University for the very first time. During WOW students had an opportunity to get acclimated with the residence halls, as well as tour classrooms and other buildings. The week ended with a couple of class photos around the John Marshall statue and at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, capped off with a march down Fourth Avenue to the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center for Freshman Convocation.
The first official week of classes got underway on Monday, August 22, with classes, on-campus activities and the Herd Rally later in the week.
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Alumni Spotlight:
Susan Popp, Kim Wellman & Sydney Wellman
LASTING LEGACY: SCHOLARSHIP SECURES THREE GENERATIONS AT MARSHALL
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College is a momentous occasion for every student. It is often the beginning of the rest of their lives. What unfolds between the stately buildings, late night study sessions, and lifelong friendships that shape their futures, can many times spur inspiration for the generations that follow.
Three Marshall University graduates have such a story. Susan Popp, Kim Wellman and Sydney Wellman all received their degrees from Marshall. They are also grandmother, mother and daughter.
“Three generations is kind of a long time, so we all experienced something different,” Sydney said. “We definitely bond over that. And it’s also a matter of respect in a way, we all recognize that we’ve put in the work to receive our degrees from the same college and we have this level of respect for each other.”
Sydney is the most recent Marshall graduate in their family, earning her bachelor’s degree in biomechanics in May 2022. She is now a graduate student in Marshall’s School of Physical Therapy.
Their legacy is made possible thanks to Marshall’s Alumni Legacy Scholarship. The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is awarded to non-resident, first-time freshmen whose parent or grandparent graduated from Marshall. The student’s parent or grandparent must also be donors of the university.
Susan has donated to Marshall consistently for more than 30 years, and it is because of Susan’s generous contributions to the university that Sydney, who lives across the river in Chesapeake, Ohio, was able to attend Marshall at an affordable rate. However, none were aware of the scholarship beforehand.
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Alumni News, Chapters
and Member Benefits
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Tailgate Time!
The highlight of Homecoming week!
ALL are invited to Marshall University Alumni & Family Tailgate in a brand new location! Located in the Joan C. Edwards Stadium East Lot (beside the Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Facility), come enjoy great food, hang with friends, play tailgating games, enjoy live music and performances by the Marching Thunder, Marshall University cheerleaders, and appearances by special guests. Don’t miss the famous Marshall Alumni & Family Tailgate in its new location three hours prior to kickoff!
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Register now for the Marshall Alumni Homecoming 5k
Alumni, students and members of the Marshall University community are invited to come together for a fun run 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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Nominate an awardee today!
YOU can be a part of Marshall's biggest night of the year for alumni!
Submit an online nomination today to recommend an outstanding member of the Marshall University family for an alumni award.
There are numerous awards including Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna, Distinguished Service to Marshall University, Outstanding Community Achievement and Distinguished Young Alumnus/Alumna.
Nominate someone today or learn more about the awards in the links below!
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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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This nighttime image of the Memorial Fountain from 1977 shows that, no matter the decade, the iconic Marshall University landmark remains one of the most beautiful locations on campus.
More than 13 feet high and weighing 6,500 pounds, the memorial was created by sculptor Harry Bertoia. It was his hope the fountain would “commemorate the living—rather than death—on the waters of life, rising, receding, surging so as to express upward growth, immortality and eternality.” The Memorial Fountain was dedicated by President John G. Barker on Nov. 12, 1972, to the memory of the plane crash victims.
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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Foundation receives a $25,000 grant from Truist West Virginia Foundation |
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The Marshall University Foundation announced it received a $25,000 grant from Truist West Virginia Foundation to support need-based scholarships at Marshall University.
“We are grateful for the long-standing partnership between the Marshall University Foundation and the Truist West Virginia Foundation,” said Dr. Ron Area, chief executive officer of the Marshall Foundation. “Increasing scholarship aid is a top priority for the university, and this grant will ease the financial burden for a number of students.”
The grant will support scholarship recipients who are full- or part-time students who are residents of West Virginia and have need, as determined by the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Scholarship aid has increased by 44 percent over the last several years due to the Marshall Rises comprehensive campaign with 500 more students receiving aid annually.
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Class of 2026 welcomed to campus |
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During Week of Welcome on campus, Kayla Clatterbuck and Alex Deborde carried their class banner and led the march to the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center with President Brad D. Smith for their Freshmen Convocation.
Kayla is a biomedical engineering major from Wheeling, West Virginia. She said she chose Marshall because it felt like home when she toured. She said she's looking forward to meeting new people and going to Thundering Herd football games.
Alex is a physical health education major from Catlettsburg, Kentucky. He's following in his parent's footsteps in being an educator, and said he has a passion for helping kids. Alex said he's always bled green, and it's surreal that he is finally on campus.
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Find out how to change the world without touching your income and tricks for organizing your financial paperwork in this month's look at Planned Giving!
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Marshall Rises is the university’s largest fundraising effort to date. The comprehensive campaign includes five pillars where support is most needed:
1. Enhancing the Student Experience
2. Expanding Academics and Growing our Reputation
3. Creating an Environment of Innovative Learning
4. Forming a Foundation of Research and Creative Discovery
5. Deepening Community Partnerships
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Alumnus Kipp Bodnar chosen for Board of Governors
Kipp Bodnar, a Marshall University graduate, successful author and highly regarded chief marketing officer for HubSpot, has been appointed by Gov. Jim Justice to serve on the university’s Board of Governors.
Bodnar, who graduated from Marshall in 2004 with a degree in journalism, is an experienced digital marketer with a demonstrated track record of success in social media marketing, complimented by deep experience in business-to-business marketing.
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Pedestrian safety campaign launched at Marshall
Marshall University has launched a new pedestrian safety campaign on its Huntington campus to create continued awareness for students and staff who cross busy streets daily.
The campaign is called Heads Up Herd, reminding pedestrians to keep their heads up and their eyes off of their cell phones. Pedestrians are also reminded to cross streets at crosswalks; always look left, right and left again before crossing; and to make sure they are seen by oncoming drivers.
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Marshall president hosts fireside chat with Dolly Parton
Marshall University President Brad D. Smith hosted a “fireside chat” with entertainer and early childhood literacy advocate Dolly Parton when she visited Charleston last month.
The visit was designed to celebrate statewide participation in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library with the West Virginia Department of Education and the June Harless Center at Marshall University.
The event was invitation only and was broadcast and streamed on West Virginia Public Broadcasting television stations and social media channels.
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Marshall to partner on multiple projects in $63 million federal award
An announcement earlier this 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.
Marshall University President Brad D. Smith congratulated Brandon Dennison and the Appalachian Climate Technologies (ACT) Now Coalition which received the news.
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Submit Your
Content Today!
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Have something you would like included in an upcoming issue of the Sons & Daughters alumni newsletter or an upcoming Marshall Magazine?
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519 John Marshall Drive,
Huntington, WV 25703
(304)-696-3134
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