Official Newsletter of the Marshall University Alumni Association | December 2022 |
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Diversity – Integrity – Loyalty – Pride – Respect |
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December.
It is a month all about colorful twinkling lights, cozy fireplaces, laying out on the beach and cheering on the Herd! Traditionally a time of year associated with snow and frosty weather around campus, we must have been extra good this year because Marshall has been gifted a trip to South Carolina for the Myrtle Beach Bowl on Dec. 19 as the Herd takes on the University of Connecticut.
For those of you attending the big game, the university has some great pre-game celebrations and tailgate options for you to enjoy throughout the weekend that we have included below. We hope to see you there!
As we enter the holiday season, we are also excited to share with you some of the sights and sounds from Marshall's newest end-of-year tradition Herd Holiday in the stories below.
As we wrap up the year, we want to wish all of you a wonderful holiday season and a very happy New Year! Big things are on the horizon for Marshall University and for your alumni association, so stay tuned and be sure to keep in touch.
Enjoy reading this edition of the Marshall University alumni newsletter. GO HERD!
Your Marshall University Alumni Association
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Holiday season returns to campus with special event |
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“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas; with every Christmas card I write.”
The Old Main Carolers hold their music high as they sing in front of a dark tree on the Memorial Student Center Plaza. The group is just one of several to perform on this night in front of a crowd of hundreds gathered for the spectacle.
The audience sways to the sound of the acapella voices.
Old Main Carolers performing White Christmas
“May your days be merry and bright – and may all your Christmases be white!”
Suddenly, a collective hush falls over the crowd, followed by oohs and ahhs.
It’s happening.
The temperature in Huntington may be an unseasonably warm 55 degrees, but snow begins to fall, nonetheless.
Smartphones and cameras are held high, as arms stretch to capture the perfect shot.
President Brad D. Smith steps up to the microphone to offer a countdown, as the crowd joins in.
“Five! Four! Three! Two! One!”
A giant switch on display beside the microphone is flipped – cueing a dozen volunteers standing by, ready to plug in tinsel-covered deer and shiny LED Christmas trees perched in planters and flower beds around the plaza. It’s their time to shine.
Thousands of white lights on the 20 foot tree towering above the student center entrance suddenly flash on, glimmering bright.
The holiday season is here.
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52nd Memorial Fountain Ceremony features son of assistant coach |
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On a rainy night on Nov. 14, 1970, Vince Carelli’s life changed in an instant. Southern Airways Flight 932, carrying his father, Al, and 74 other Thundering Herd coaches, teammates, staff, supporters and flight crew members crashed into a hillside as it approached Tri-State Airport. Fifty-two years later, the accident remains the worst sports tragedy in American history.
Offensive Line Coach Al Carelli Jr. died in the crash, just months after accepting his position at Marshall. His son, Vince, was only three years old. On Nov. 14 Carelli shared how the crash made an impact on his life and continues to guide his heart so many years later.
“I can’t speak from specific memory and I was too young to know really what was happening at the time, so my perspective is different,” Carelli said. “I don’t have any real memories. The only memory I have is when my mother grabbed me out of bed to watch my father do an interview on the news. I’m very thankful for my mother, grandparents and Huntington friends who have helped me to know my father.”
Carelli’s mother, Marti, was instrumental in documenting early memories, as well as the events surrounding the crash for Vince and his younger brother Ron, who was three months old at the time. She wrote a book titled Halftime, which began with a letter written to each of her sons after the crash. The book is also a personal account of her love story with Al, as well as her own story of coping with tragedy and moving on with life.
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Herd to face UConn in Myrtle Beach Bowl |
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Marshall football will face UConn in the Myrtle Beach Bowl at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19. The game will be played at Brooks Stadium, located on the campus of Coastal Carolina University, and it will be broadcast on ESPN.
"We always want to try to prioritize the experience of our student-athletes and fans when it comes to our postseason opportunities," said Marshall Director of Athletics Christian Spears. "We also want to diversify the competition by playing programs we have not traditionally played. Playing UConn fit that goal. We are excited to get down to Grand Strand and take in the Myrtle Beach Bowl experience."
Tickets for the contest can be purchased through Marshall athletics. Purchasing tickets through Marshall Athletics directly benefits the department financially and ensures that Herd fans will be seated in Marshall sections for the game. All fans wishing to purchase through the Marshall Ticket Office should do so through HerdZone or by calling 1-800-THE HERD during normal office hours (M-F, 9-4).
The Thundering Herd's appearance in the 2022 Myrtle Beach Bowl marks the sixth straight year and ninth time in 10 seasons that the program has made a bowl game. Marshall's all-time bowl record is 12-6.
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Brunty to give December commencement address Dec. 10 at Mountain Health Arena |
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Marshall University faculty member Josh Brunty will present the December commencement address Saturday, Dec. 10, at Mountain Health Arena in Huntington.
The West Virginia native is a renowned expert in the area of digital forensics. He’s an associate professor of digital forensics in the Marshall University College of Science. Brunty is a former digital forensics laboratory manager and examiner with over a decade of experience in the field of digital forensics and high-tech crime investigation.
Prior to joining Marshall University in 2012, Brunty spent several years as a digital forensics examiner and laboratory technical leader assisting in many high-profile cases for agencies around West Virginia, as well as serving on several federal and state-level cybercrime task forces and panels.
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Sheryl Sandberg visits Marshall |
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She has one of the top business minds in the world, but Sheryl Sandberg’s message of grit and resilience can resonate with everyone, regardless of their profession.
The former chief operating officer of Facebook (now Meta) spoke with Marshall University President Brad D. Smith in a fireside chat last month after a two-day tour of Huntington and visits with several community service organizations.
Sandberg’s story of perseverance is chronicled in her book, Option B, written after the sudden death of husband, Dave Goldberg. As suggested by the title, the book discusses how to live life when it throws a curve.
“No one learns on the easy days, while on the couch watching TV,” Sandberg said. “We learn on the hard days… When people make jokes about getting older, it’s not funny. You either live a long life, or you don’t. Every birthday, I now celebrate. ”
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Alumni Spotlight: Lester Hicks
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In a broken world all-too-often filled with tales of heartache and despair, every once in a while comes a story so powerful and full of hope that it has to be experienced to be believed.
That is the story of one Lester Hicks.
Hicks’ tale is one of overcoming unimaginable odds to rise above and reach heights that many, including himself, never thought possible. It is a story of perseverance, determination and sheer willpower that propelled a young man from the heart of rural Georgia to an award-winning career as a safety engineer at world-renowned security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin, and achievements as an accomplished author and athlete that was part of one of the greatest sports stories ever told as a member of the Young Thundering Herd.
And he has done it all with a gracious heart, taking the life lessons taught to him by his family and friends and applying them in everything he does in life.
“The secret to my success is sweat equity and determination against all odds when failure is not an option,” a proud Hicks said. “I was determined not to allow anyone to outwork me in the classroom, in the workplace and on the football field and basketball court. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to see if I am caught up in a dream because my accomplishments are so unlikely for a person of my background. But I always remember and embody these words, ‘Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything that you need.’”
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Alumni News, Chapters
and Member Benefits
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Alumni chapters help Marshall thrive |
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The bond that an alum feels with their alma mater is a strong one that does not end when you leave campus.
But after the stage is walked and the pomp and circumstance plays at commencement, what's next? Some stay local, while others move to new far-away cities. Many take new jobs and begin their professional lives.
Wherever life takes you, what if navigating a new job, city and lifestyle could be made more familiar? What if you were able to connect with folks with a similar college experience? That is just one of the many roles of Marshall's alumni chapter network.
Under the guidance and direction of the Marshall University Alumni Association and the Marshall Foundation, an alumni chapter provides engagement opportunities for Thundering Herd alumni in specific areas or across a particular interest group. That may be a specific city or a collection of individuals of a similar profession — each chapter is different.
Each alumni chapter provides its members the means to stay connected to Marshall, while offering unique events and opportunities to give back to the university. Individual chapters host university speakers, sponsor game watching parties for sporting events, cultivate relationships with prospective local students, fundraise for scholarships and other projects and provide opportunities for fellowship and fun for their members. By leading and participating in a chapter, alumni are given the tremendous opportunity to give back, find familiar faces in an area, share their Marshall experience and make a difference for the Marshall family.
And right now the MUAA is looking to expand its chapter footprint around the world! For more information about starting or joining an alumni chapter, contact the office of alumni relations at alumni@marshall.edu. |
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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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As we move into the holiday season, enjoy this photo from 1961 showcasing the Marshall University choir singing Christmas songs for a show on WHTN-TV Channel 13 that aired on Christmas Eve that year.
The choir sang at various locations on campus, giving the audience a fun view of campus.
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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Marshall Foundation wraps up 75th anniversary celebration |
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On Jan. 3, 1947, five Marshall alumni and supporters signed the articles of incorporation that established the Marshall University Foundation Inc. The mission of the Foundation is to maximize continuous financial support for Marshall and its students by soliciting, receiving, investing and administering private gift support.
Now, 75 years since the articles of incorporation were signed, the Foundation supports a staff of about 35 full-time employees and is continuing to grow thanks in part to the success of the Marshall Rises comprehensive campaign.
The home for the Marshall Foundation, now known as Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall, home of the Erickson Alumni Center, opened in 2010.
As the Foundation wraps up its 75th anniversary celebration, the staff at the Marshall Foundation vows to continue to work with the Marshall community to ensure Marshall continues to thrive!
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Farrells pledge $100,000 for Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation |
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The Marshall University Foundation has announced that Michael J. Farrell and Tamela J. Farrell have pledged a gift of $100,000 in support of the new Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation at Marshall University.
“We, as a couple, feel the need to invest in our community and we do it through many different avenues, but the university has always been the one that we felt most passionate about,” Michael Farrell said.
The facility, which is to be built in the 1400 block of Fourth Avenue and scheduled to open in January of 2024, is expected to be 77,000 gross square feet, and will house classroom space, a forum and auditorium, computer and science labs, office space, meeting rooms and study spaces for students. It will be the center for economic development in the region, with the capability of hosting both small and large business gatherings.
Michael Farrell was interim president of Marshall University in 2005 following the departure of Dan Angel. He previously served on Marshall’s Board of Governors and is also in the Lewis College of Business and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business Hall of Fame.
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Trio of Marshall student-athletes named to Sun Belt first-team
The Sun Belt Conference announced its 2022 All-Conference teams with Marshall earning eight different individual honors. Defensive back Micah Abraham, running back Khalan Laborn, and defensive lineman Owen Porter were all selected as members of the All-Sun Belt Conference First Team.
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School of Medicine establishes Department of Anesthesiology
The Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine has established a new Department of Anesthesiology to facilitate additional learning opportunities for student education, research and advanced training..
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Four students selected for global University Innovation Fellowship
Four Marshall University students were named University Innovation Fellows by Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design. The global University Innovation Fellows program aims to empower student leaders to increase campus engagement using innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity and design thinking.
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Marshall team scores within top 1% of teams at National Cyber League competition
A team of Marshall University cyber students scored 28th out of 3,926 teams at the National Cyber League’s Fall 2022 competition last month, putting the team in the top 0.71% of the competitors. Marshall scored in the 100th percentile in multiple categories including cryptography, open source intelligence and network traffic analysis.
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Huntington, WV 25703
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