Official Newsletter of the Marshall University Alumni Association | September 2021 |
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Diversity – Integrity – Loyalty – Pride – Respect |
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A Campus Unlike Any Other
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They say a picture is worth 1,000 words.
So we present to you this image.
The awe-inspiring beauty of our campus buildings. Our perfectly manicured lawns and flowerbeds. Picturesque strolls to and from classes under the cover of towering trees, taking in a campus with as much history as any in this country. And a yard sign in the middle of it all that says Marshall Rises.
What exactly is Marshall Rises?
Marshall Rises is a dream. It is a vision. It is a goal to take Marshall University to new heights far beyond our wildest imaginations. Marshall Rises is about enhancing the student experience and expanding academics. It is about creating environments of innovative learning and forming a foundation of research and creative discovery. It is about deepening our bond with the community.
Over the coming months you will learn more about Marshall Rises and the impact it has already had on Marshall and where it will take our great institution in the future.
Enjoy reading this edition of Sons & Daughters. GO HERD!
Office of Alumni Relations
Matt Hayes
Larry Crum
Kasey Stevens
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Bill Noe Flight School opens at Yeager Airport in Charleston |
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Amid the noise and bustling activity of a busy Yeager Airport, Marshall University on Aug. 10 marked the official opening of the Bill Noe Flight School in Charleston.
Attended by federal, state and local officials, education executives, incoming aviation students, airline industry representatives and area residents, Marshall President Jerome A. Gilbert and more than a dozen others cut the ribbon for the Maier Aviation Building and a 12,000-square-foot hangar located on Eagle Mountain Road.
Bill Noe, for whom the flight school is named, is a highly respected aviation expert and serves as executive aviation specialist for Marshall’s aviation program.
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Welcome Home!
Students officially returned to campus the week of August 16-20 for Marshall University's annual Week of Welcome (WOW) before the official start of the fall semester on Monday, August 23.
Freshman students arrived on the Huntington campus for residence hall move-in on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 16 and 17. The Class of 2025 then celebrated the beginning of their Marshall journey with the Freshman Convocation at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, the first in that location, followed by a class photograph on the field with the help of the Marching Thunder.
Students began their first class at Marshall during Week of Welcome. UNI 100, “Freshman First Class,” is an introduction to the academic structures and expectations of college life. The traditional semester began on Aug. 23.
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Homecoming 2021 set for October 4-9
We are so very excited to welcome alumni, students and supporters of Marshall University at Homecoming 2021, "Back and better than ever!"
A complete schedule of activities and links to register for events can be found at herdalum.com/homecoming21, or check out the "Alumni News" section below for individual links and information. We can't wait to see you!
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Football gameday experience upgraded for Thundering Herd |
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Marshall Athletics announced last month significant changes in and around Joan C. Edwards Stadium aimed at enhancing the football gameday atmosphere for fans.
Marshall's 2021 home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 11 against North Carolina Central. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
A list of the gameday improvements follows:
Thunder Street
A concert stage and food vendors highlight a new area on 20th Street between 3rd and 5th Avenue. Although West Lot pass-holders will still be able to access parking via the two 20th Street entrances, the area between those two gates will be closed to through traffic. That area will feature a concert series sponsored by West Virginia Lottery, as well as multiple food vendors, beer and an inflatable 'M' for fan photos. The inflatable 'M' is sponsored by Mountain Health Network.
Thunder Street will open four hours prior to kickoff and close 45 minutes prior to the start of the game. Through traffic on 20th Street will reopen at approximately halftime of the game.
Concessions
A new point-of-sale system will be available at all food concession vendor stands inside Joan C. Edwards Stadium. With this new technology, as well as improved operational infrastructure, there will be a substantial increase in speed of service for stadium guests. Additionally, two new vendors will occupy space within Joan C. Edwards Stadium this season: Midway Drive In, with its famous hot dogs and more, will occupy Stand No. 2 on the West concourse. Truckin' Cheesy, with its unique scrumptious fare, will be located at Stand No. 9 on the East concourse.
AT&T Tower
As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced wireless devices and services, AT&T is installing a new cell tower on the east side of Joan C. Edwards Stadium. This tower, when operational, will improve AT&T's coverage throughout the stadium and in the surrounding community.
Fireworks
A new pre-game and in-game element will be fireworks and pyrotechnics. The displays will be included in the pre-game team entrance and following Thundering Herd touchdowns.
DJ Herd That
An exciting addition to the in-game environment is the debut of DJ Herd That, a student who won the opportunity to assist with in-game music selections. The DJ, sponsored by Dr. Pepper, will be located behind the student section on the walkway behind Section 119.
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Help support the MU School of Medicine |
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The Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine have unfortunately had to cancel their fundraising event Standing Out In Our Field 7 originally scheduled for Saturday, August 27 due to COVID-19.
But you can help! You can make a difference and help support med students by making a donation at the link below.
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McGill: Huff era begins with record-setting win at Navy
The Charles Huff era was scoreless for only two minutes and 37 seconds. If the 38-year-old first-time head coach, who was raised in nearby Denton, wanted to make a quick statement in his backyard, he did.
Freshman running back Rasheen Ali scored the first of his four rushing touchdowns to cap a nine-play, 75-yard opening drive and Huff's debut had few blemishes thereafter as Marshall defeated host Navy, 49-7, in record-setting fashion in front of 30,131 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Huff is the first Marshall head coach to open on the road and win, although Kemper Shelton did manage to start his coaching career with a scoreless tie at Marietta to begin the 1922 season.
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Alumni Spotlight:
Edwin Jones
All The Small Things
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A single speck of glitter. A grain of sand. A fleck of gunpowder.
Items hardly noticeable to the naked eye, let alone consequential to the average person. They are items so insignificant that most of us pass right by them every day without so much as a thought to their existence.
Unless, of course, you are Edwin Jones. To Jones, the tiniest items on earth are his Disneyland.
“I have been collecting books about forensic science and microscopy since the middle 1980s and my library now has more than 2,200 books,” said Jones about his obsession with the microscopic. “I am also a card-carrying member of the International Sand Collectors Society. I collect and study sand samples from all over the world. Whenever a friend or relative gives me a sand sample, I will send them photos of anything which is microscopically interesting. I also use the stereo microscope and fine pointed forceps to make arrangements out of microscopic objects like seeds, gunpowder, electronic components, sand grains, glitter, microspheres, minerals and gemstones. It is really interesting stuff.”
Jones is a purveyor of all things small and seemingly insignificant. And he has developed those skills after more than 37 years in the professional sphere of forensic science.
During a fascinating career that has spanned coast-to-coast, Jones received some measure of fame as a one-man crime lab doing a wide range of forensic work including crime scene investigation, drug analysis, trace evidence, firearms, and basic serology, among his many talents. Oh, and he is also well known for his microscopic art, using tiny, everyday objects, and molding them into elaborate designs.
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Alumni News, Chapters
and Member Benefits
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Homecoming 2021
The past year and a half has been a difficult time for many.
Lockdowns, restrictions, and virtual gatherings became the norm and many in the Marshall community, like those around the world, have been left feeling isolated and alone after months away from the warm glow of our campus home.
After a year apart due to the pandemic, Marshall University is excited to welcome alumni, students and friends back to campus for a celebration like no other.
Marshall is proudly proclaiming that Homecoming is “Back and better than ever” in 2021 with a celebration befitting a proud institution such as ours. Join Marshall University and the Marshall University Alumni Association for Homecoming the week of October 4-9 culminating with the Homecoming game against Old Dominion University on Saturday, October 9 at 2:00 p.m.
The game will be preceded by major activities in-person and online throughout the week, including the annual Homecoming Parade and Bonfire on Thursday, October 7, Picnic on the Plaza on Friday, October 8 and a full day of activities on Saturday, October 9 including the Homecoming Stampede 5K, Marshall University Alumni & Family Tailgate and much more!
This is your opportunity to showcase your Thundering Herd pride, reunite with friends, check out the latest growth on campus and celebrate with your fellow Herd Alums after more than a year away. So grab your green and white gear and join us in October because Homecoming is officially “Back and better than ever!”
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Homecoming Schedule Highlights |
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Parade & Bonfire
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 7 @ 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Huntington ending on Fifth Ave. in front of campus
WHAT: Floats, music and more celebrating Marshall Homecoming
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Picnic on the Plaza
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 8 @ 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Memorial Student Center Plaza
WHAT: Homecoming pep rally featuring free food, music, giveaways, and special appearances
INFO: Free event for students, faculty, alumni and Marshall supporters
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Stampede 5K
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 9 @ 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Two lap course through campus beginning at John Marshall statue
WHAT: Annual Homecoming 5K
INFO: $15 if registered by Sep. 24, $25 after. Registration comes with event shirt. Prizes for age groups.
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Marshall Alumni & Family Tailgate
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 9 @ 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Between Joan C. Edwards Stadium and Indoor Athletic Facility
WHAT: Annual alumni tailgate featuring food, music, tailgating games, special appearances and much more
INFO: $10 per person, includes food and drinks
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New spot for Marshall Alumni & Family Tailgate
Don't miss the highlight of Homecoming week!
All are invited to join the Marshall University Alumni Association as they host the Marshall Alumni & Family Tailgate on Saturday, October 9 beginning at 11:30 a.m.
This year the tailgate will take place in a brand new location in the Joan C. Edwards Stadium East Lot, beside the Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Facility.
Tickets are $10 and includes food, drinks, entertainment, tailgating games, plus appearances by the Marching Thunder, cheerleaders, coaches and other special guests! CLICK HERE to register today! |
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MU PerksConnect
The Marshall University Alumni Association is excited to offer a brand new perks program available to all alumni of Marshall University called MU PerksConnect!
The MU PerksConnect portal opens alumni up to a bounty of savings on a variety of offerings, both locally and nationally. Simply register your free account at http://marshall.perksconnection.com and immediately start saving on everything from food to travel. MU PerksConnect will use your location to bring you specific savings at stores, restaurants, and more where you live, or visit the national deals to find savings on travel, theme park and event tickets, and much more!
The MU PerksConnect portal also offers handy access to insurance benefits for auto, home and pet and long term care resources.
If you want to save even more, you can sign up for a free cash back program called Koiyn! Koiyn provides cash back offers at places you already love. Cash back offers are tied directly to your card from participating popular national brands, plus your favorite regional and local retailers too!
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Watch Party Season Has Begun! |
There were dozens of watch parties to kick off the Thundering Herd football season over the weekend, with many more scheduled throughout the season.
Pictured above is an image from the watch party for the Marshall vs. Navy game by the Lowcountry Marshall University Alumni Chapter based in the Charleston, South Carolina, area. On the right is Ty Neal, owner of Ty's Roadside and a 1985 graduate of Marshall. Pictured with Ty is chapter representative and former student body president Brandon Stevens, a 2003 and 2005 graduate. Ty's Roadside hosted the chapter.
If you are planning a game watching party, or are looking for one in your area, be sure to reach out to us at alumni@marshall.edu. #GoHerd |
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Did you know Marshall University had an on-campus baseball field as seen in this 1929 photo? While the field is still there, many buildings have popped up around campus since then.
Marshall will once again have baseball on campus when a new stadium is built in the next few years!
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Marshall Foundation
News and Updates
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Marshall Love
We had some special guests at the Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall on Monday, August 30. Sherman Carston and Lee Tidler of Spokane, Washington, were driving across the country this summer and stopped at Marshall University after having seen the "We Are Marshall" movie many years ago.
Our beautiful campus was on their bucket list and last month they had a chance to take a tour. After hitting the hot spots on campus, the Marshall University Foundation sent them on their way with a bag of goodies! We always look forward to greeting alumni and supporters and showing them that unique Marshall University hospitality!
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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
In August 2021, 413 donors made 675 gifts towards the five pillars as we continue to exceed our goal of $150 million!
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Artifacts of Appreciation:
Laura Hundley
"Scholarships mean the most to me because I can worry less about student loans or paying out of pocket for my schooling and focus more on being excited for each upcoming semester instead of the financial burden," said Laura Hundley, recipient of the Richard "Rock" Fliess Scholarship, Amsbary and Johnson Endowed Scholarship, Masonic Scholarship, Promise Scholarship and the Marshall University Presidential Scholarship.
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Artifacts of Appreciation:
Seth Jude
"I see scholarships as an investment into a person's future as opposed to just a gift. I was extremely blessed and thankful to learn of the scholarships I received," said Seth Jude of Varney, West Virginia, a student majoring in exercise science and a recipient of the Meade E. and Althea Nance Smith, Promise and John Marshall Scholarships.
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Semester marked with continuing COVID protocols in place
Marshall University President Jerome A. Gilbert greeted students last month by handing out pre-packaged cookies and welcoming them to the start of a new semester. It’s been nearly 18 months since the campus was fully operational with all students attending class in person.
In response to the rise in Delta variant COVID-19 cases, the university reinstated the mask policy for all indoor spaces earlier this month to ensure the safety and academic success of students. While the university has not mandated the COVID-19 vaccine, officials, including the president, have strongly encouraged those in the university community to get one.
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Professor becomes first certified orofacial myologist in the state
Marshall University professor Bryn Brown has become the first and currently only IAOM Board Certified Orofacial Myologist in the state of West Virginia.
The prestigious certification is provided by the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM). It’s one that few speech-language pathologists earn. Based on the IAOM standards, a certified orofacial myologist is an individual who has gone above and beyond taking an introductory course in orofacial myology and has undergone a rigorous certification process which includes a written examination, a query submission and an onsite clinical examination process.
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New Board of Governors members sworn in during meeting
Three new board of governors members were sworn in today at a regular meeting of Marshall University’s governing body.
Appointed by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, James C. “Chad” Pennington was named as a new member last month. Pennington is a former Marshall University standout and New York Jets professional football player. He currently coaches high school football in Lexington, Kentucky. Other new board members are Alyssa Parks, a senior and student government association president who will represent students, and Dr. Robin C. Riner, professor of anthropology, who will serve as the faculty representative.
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iCenter welcomes new Entrepreneur in Residence
Marshall University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (iCenter), part of the Lewis College of Business, has welcomed Dr. David Wiley as a new Entrepreneur in Residence.
Having successful careers as both an academic and an entrepreneur, Wiley is the chief academic officer and co-founder of Lumen Learning. He is a Marshall University alum (BFA, Music, class of 1997) and recipient of both the Marshall University Distinguished Alumni Award and the John Deaver Drinko Outstanding Achievement Award. Wiley joins two other entrepreneurs in residence, Brandon Dennison of Coalfield Development and Collin Meadows of Tech304.
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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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