Greetings Herd Alums!

Home.

It is a word that we often use to associate with a place that we feel most comfortable. Our physical house. A favorite restaurant. A sporting venue. Our beloved university.

This year, home is going to take on an all-new meaning here at Marshall University. As you will read in the stories below, Homecoming will look completely different this year as we move into the virtual space like many of our peer institutions across the nation. It was a decision that was not taken lightly as we understand and respect the traditions and excitement that are associated with returning to campus in the fall to celebrate this time-honored tradition. But with so many questions regarding the weeks ahead and for the safety of our alumni, which is of paramount importance to us, we have decided to present an entirely new Homecoming experience this year that we are calling "Herd @ Home."

Stay tuned as we put together virtual and interactive activities for you to participate in. While we may not be able to physically gather together this year, we hope you will all join us online as we present to you a rare glimpse behind the scenes at the people, places and traditions that make Marshall University such a wonderful place to call home.

Until then, enjoy reading this edition of Sons & Daughters. GO HERD!

Matt Hayes

Larry Crum

Kasey Stevens

Greetings Marshall University friends and family. On behalf of Marshall University, the Office of Student Affairs and your Marshall University Alumni Association, we are excited to bring you a special announcement.

The past few months have been a challenge for all of us. We have all been forced to make changes in our lives, from how we work to the ways we interact with one another. The coronavirus pandemic has presented a challenge to each of us and we are proud in the ways that our university has dealt with these challenges and met them head-on. Marshall University has been a leader and an innovator in new and exciting ways to bring our students, alumni and friends the same Marshall experience that we all love and cherish.

So we are pleased to tell you that those traditions will continue in 2020, albeit in a completely fresh and innovative new format. We are excited to announce that Homecoming 2020 will take place as scheduled during the week of October 19-24 culminating with the Thundering Herd taking on the FAU Owls in the annual Homecoming game.

But this year’s Homecoming will look a little different than what you are used to. We are excited to bring to you “Herd @ Home,” an all-virtual, completely online Homecoming experience. While we are disappointed that we will not be able to meet in-person this year, we are excited to bring you a fresh new take on Homecoming with a week of activities for you to participate.

From games to webinars, interviews with campus leaders, tours of new and historic venues, virtual events such as a 5K and parade, we plan to bring you the best virtual content to make your time away from campus enjoyable.

So join us October 19-24 for “Herd @ Home” and be sure to take part in as many activities as your schedule will allow. We will be announcing the full schedule for Homecoming on HerdAlum.com in the coming weeks, so check back often.

While we can’t be together in-person this year, we hope that “Herd @ Home” will in some way fill that void and make you feel a part of the Marshall Homecoming experience. We can’t wait to see you online in October!

Every Nov. 14, Marshall University's Memorial Fountain becomes sacred ground, as we come together to pay our respects. It is where every member of the Marshall family wants to be at noon on that date each year - gathered around that graceful monument with friends and our university community.

Now, Marshall is proud to unveil a brand new web page called Never Forget dedicated to those lost in the tragedy. The new website features newspaper clippings, video clips and historical documents from 1970 and beyond, as well as a tribute to the 75 lost that day. You can also leave a memory on the page to share with the Marshall community.

The Memorial Fountain Ceremony, remembering the 50th anniversary of the plane crash, will take place on November 14, 2020. Visit the website for more details as we get closer to the date.

Back-to-school may look a little different this year. CLICK HERE for some helpful online deals exclusively for Herd Alums to save you money on whatever your needs may be. And if your school days are long gone, these discounts can still be enjoyed by all!

Save on everything from dining to travel using the all-new MUAA Alumni Perks program! CLICK HERE and register to receive custom savings only available to Marshall alumni!

Southern Coalfields Alumni & Big Green Club

The Marshall University Southern Coalfields Alumni & Big Green Club started separately in the 1980s, as the Beckley Athletic Club and the Alumni Club.

In 2017, the Beckley Big Green Chapter and the Beckley Alumni Chapters joined forces to create the Southern Coalfields Chapter. This unique combination allows the chapter to work together on giving to athletic and academic endeavors.

“That was big, it gave a new vigor for both sides,” Chapter President Doug Leeber said. “It seems like when we merged it caught traction immediately, I can’t tell you how powerful it is until you start coming to meetings and events, I can’t brag on them enough, the Herd is stronger together.”

In those three short years, the Southern Coalfields chapter has seen great successes with adding new annual events and continuing to support student academic and athletic scholarships.

“To actually see all the hard work of our chapter go to we’re giving a kid an opportunity to go to Marshall, just to give them $500 and represent our club and Marshall, it’s fantastic,” Leeber said.

“When I went to Marshall, I didn’t have much, I was a regular, poor college kid scraping by with everything he had. To now see that we can give back to them, even if it’s enough to help buy books, or it’s enough to help with their residence hall fees, it gives that student that chance, that extra edge, that may not go to college because they’re missing that little bit extra."

The President’s Circle in the Marshall University Foundation Lifetime Giving Societies was established a decade ago in recognition of individuals, corporations, or foundations who make a contribution or pledge of $100,000 or more in support of Marshall University throughout their lifetime. This giving at the chapter level shows tremendous generosity from the Southern Coalfields Chapter and what can be accomplished through a chapter, even in the midst of transitions and a pandemic.

At a regular chapter meeting, pre-pandemic, the Southern Coalfield Chapter has about 20 regular attendees, with chapter members from all walks of life— former football players and cheerleaders, insurance agents, real estate agents, current and retired teachers, construction business owners and more. This diverse group of volunteers helps create a strong chapter bringing different ideas and experiences to the table.

“It's all hands on deck, that’s the best part. Everyone is willing to pitch in and do anything- whether it be sell tickets, unstack boxes, or put out tables or help serve food, whatever the case may be, no one really complains, everyone jumps in,” Leeber said.

Herd alums Tim and Becky Cyrus are longtime Marshall supporters who became involved with the chapter about five years ago when someone from the chapter noticed their Marshall apparel at a Beckley area restaurant and invited them to a meeting.

“One of the highlights of my year was the thank you letters from last year’s scholarship recipients. Just hearing their plans and how appreciative they were to get a little seed money to get started in school. I just imagine maybe four years from now they’ll be sitting where Tim and I are and helping others,” Becky said.

The chapter is working toward an endowed scholarship fund to reach more students, and currently gives $1,500 per year to four students in the counties they represent-Raleigh, Fayette, Wyoming and Summers.

That spirit of generosity encapsulates the Southern Coalfields Chapter, as they are committed to not only impacting the Marshall community, but the local Beckley community as well.

“They’re just an awesome group of people who are helping Marshall and the community in Beckley, trying to make life better for everyone the best we can in a small way, and we’re happy to be a part of it,” Tim said.

For more information on the Southern Coalfields Chapter or to get involved with the exciting work the chapter is doing, check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/safedoug.

The Marshall University Foundation would like to extend a warm welcome to all returning and new students! Throughout the annual Week of Welcome celebration, the Marshall Foundation presented the class banner for the Class of 2024 to sign at their convenience and receive their class pin. We can't wait to see what this class can achieve here at Marshall!

NOTICE: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many events in the Marshall community have been postponed or cancelled. Please CLICK HERE for updates and additional information. We remain focused and committed to offering the #MarshallUFamily the very best in events, updates and membership services to enjoy during this pandemic. We Are...MARSHALL!