Official Newsletter of the Marshall University Alumni Association | July 2023

At the Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association, we are committed to engaging everyone who loves Marshall - alumni, fans, donors, students, parents and friends - through programming, events and opportunities to give back. Because in everything we do, we do for Marshall U!

To further advance that mission, we have combined resources and undergone a series of changes that will better serve the entire Marshall community. Thanks to a new joint website located at www.formarshallu.org and a combined social media presence found at @ForMarshallU, we are able to better connect with our Marshall family and share the stories of those who make a lasting impact on our university.

We hope that you will visit our new site and interact with us online and on social media. You can learn more about these changes, and much more, below.

Enjoy reading this edition of the Marshall University alumni newsletter. GO HERD!

MU Office of Alumni Relations

Welcome to ForMarshallU.org

The new home for the Marshall Foundation and Alumni Association

Creating opportunities for everyone to stay engaged is at the core of the university’s commitment to advancement. Advancement encompasses all that our alumni and friends do to strengthen Marshall University.

Our mission is to advance Marshall University through engagement and philanthropy. This all-new website was formed by joining the Marshall Foundation and the Marshall Alumni Association to better serve our alumni and friends in the state and the region, throughout the country, and around the world.

Click on the button below to visit our new site and learn more about how you can make an impact!

Marshall Board of Governors approves 10-year campus master plan

The Marshall University Board of Governors approved a 10-year campus development master plan which addresses planning for the Huntington campus, the 4th Avenue innovation district, health sciences campus, athletics areas and the satellite locations, including the South Charleston campus and the Mid-Ohio Valley Center.

While individual projects within the plan costing more than a million dollars each must still be approved by the board, the umbrella plan was unanimously adopted and serves as a tool for the university’s growth.

In reporting to the board, Senior Vice President for Operations Brandi Jacobs-Jones said it took 10 months to put together the comprehensive roadmap and involved extensive feedback from multiple stakeholder groups through a variety of channels including surveys, workshops, tours and focus groups. Several of the Huntington campus priority projects include classroom renovations, flooding interventions, and the renovations of the Science Building, Harris Hall and Smith Hall.

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Marshall baseball field named in honor of Jack Cook

Marshall University's Board of Governors approved the naming of the Marshall University Baseball Field as Jack Cook Field.

That was one of two naming opportunities approved for the stadium project by the Board of Governors in June, along with the Alex Lawrence Clubhouse.

Other naming commitments associated with the Baseball Stadium Project will also be released in the near future.

The naming of Jack Cook Field comes in conjunction with a substantial gift from the John Rulli family, who pledged to match gifts made to the baseball stadium project in Jack Cook's honor, up to $500,000. Rulli is a former Marshall baseball captain who played for Cook on the 1978 Southern Conference championship team and is now the chief administrative officer for Simon Property Group.

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Morgan Zerkle chosen to lead Marshall softball program

Marshall University Director of Athletics Christian Spears has announced the hiring of Morgan Zerkle as the head softball coach.

Zerkle was introduced last month at a press conference as the fifth head coach in Marshall softball history.

Zerkle, who starred at Marshall from 2014-17 and went on to represent Team USA and play professionally, takes over as head coach after spending the last four seasons at Miami (Ohio).

"I'm thrilled for Morgan as her dream is now a reality," Spears said. "How many of us truly get to do that – turn our dream into reality? I'm proud of her for flat-out working her plan and making it happen. She earned this and she has my utmost respect for it. When she tells you her goal was to be the head coach at Marshall, it's genuine. She will pour herself into the community and into our student-athletes."

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Marshall, West Liberty announce agreement for aviation program partnership

Marshall and West Liberty universities announced plans for an additional location of Marshall’s Bill Noe Flight School at West Liberty University’s campus at Wheeling-Ohio County Airport in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Classes at West Liberty University are expected to begin in the fall of 2024.

“This new location will be fully populated with the technologically advanced Marshall University airplanes and Marshall’s top tier flight instructor force and will further enhance Marshall’s mission of producing high-quality talented aviators to enter one of the most sought-after professions available today,” said Bill Noe, Marshall’s chief aviation officer. “This is significantly important as we open this industry and create ‘Line of Sight’ to the opportunities that aviation has available to the very talented pool of professionals from West Virginia.

“We are looking forward to collaborating with West Liberty and working towards making the state of West Virginia synonymous with Aviation anytime it’s mentioned and continue our deep-rooted traditional roots in this field by creating the platform to be the premier location for training future aviators in the country.”

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Marshall on the Move!

Thank you to everyone who has submitted travel photos to the Marshall University @MarshallU and Marshall University Foundation & Alumni @ForMarshallU accounts. We enjoy seeing all of the wonderful images of our alumni and students representing The Herd throughout the country and around the world!

Below is a list of those who have submitted photos and where the photo was taken.

TOP LEFT: Noel Edmunds (Australia)

TOP CENTER: Bryce Lusher and Alaina Laster (Paris)

TOP RIGHT: Amber Payne with friends and family (Peru)

MIDDLE LEFT: Mackenzie Jedrey (Lake Tahoe, California)

MIDDLE CENTER: Marshall Men's Soccer Team (Rio de Janeiro)

MIDDLE RIGHT: Brandon and River Stevens (Kauai, Hawaii)

BOTTOM LEFT: Robin Blakeman (Ocean City, Maryland)

BOTTOM CENTER: Austin O'Connor (Ireland)

BOTTOM RIGHT: Anthony Herr (Seattle, Washington)

Marshall Homecoming fast approaching!

Marshall University is excited to celebrate Homecoming 2023 with a unique theme designed to bring out the inner child in all of us. The university will welcome alumni and supporters back to campus the week of Sept. 25-30 with “Super Marco: Level Up.”

The Super Mario Bros.-inspired theme will celebrate video games throughout the decades, while also paying tribute to the university leveling up its status as one of the nation’s top tier universities.

Several pillar Homecoming events will highlight the week-long celebration, including the annual Unity Walk, Homecoming Parade and numerous tailgates and gatherings throughout the day on Sept. 30. The Marshall University Alumni Association will also celebrate its reunion classes that week as the classes of 1973 and 1998 return to campus.

The week will conclude with the Thundering Herd taking on the Old Dominion Monarchs in a Sun Belt Conference matchup at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

For the latest Homecoming news, visit us at formarshallu.org/homecoming!

Welcome New Students!

Throughout the summer months all new students, including freshman and transfer students, visit campus for Marshall's New Student Orientation.

Marshall’s one-day orientation sessions serve as a formal introduction to the university and provide information essential for incoming students. Students enjoy an engaging experience that includes group sessions, meeting with academic advisors, student life and housing information – all focused on preparing new students to become #OneOfTheHerd.

Orientation sessions take place throughout June, July and August.

During their orientation session, students and families learn how to navigate through Marshall’s student resources and support services; learn about the first-year experience at Marshall, including academic expectations and student life; learn about graduation requirements; and meet with an academic advisor to receive and review their course schedule.

As part of the program, the Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association offices are on campus each day to greet students, as well as hand out information about scholarships, provide free photos by the Memorial Fountain and welcome them to the Marshall family.

We look forward to welcoming even more students later this month!

Brock Bearhs

Brock Bearhs just finished up his freshman year here at Marshall University. An accounting major from Pomeroy, Ohio, Bearhs is a recipient of the Brad and Alys Smith Family Scholarship. After graduating, Bearhs hopes to work in accounting and data analysis.

"I want the Smiths to know I am extremely grateful for this scholarship," Bearhs said. "It has taken a huge load off my shoulders by not having to work as much and focus more on my studies."

Elijah Cameraon

We loved meeting Elijah Cameron during his New Student Orientation. Elijah, a recent graduate from Wyoming East High School, is one of the recipients of the Marshall University Southern Coalfields Alumni & Big Green Club Scholarship.

“It feels good knowing that they’re looking out for us and that I’ll be able to come to college this year without paying anything,” Elijah said. “And I’m excited to work with them when I graduate.”

Joelle Williams

Joelle Williams is a diver with Marshall's swimming and diving team, a public relations major and the 2022 recipient of the Janis Winkfield Scholarship.

Because of her scholarship, Joelle said that it, "Relieved some of my financial stress and allowed me to solely focus on academic, athletic and professional goals this year. It also revealed to me a community of people who share my interests and love for academic success and helping others."

Marshall names Dr. David Gozal new school of medicine dean

Marshall University President Brad D. Smith announced that Dr. David Gozal, a pediatric pulmonologist and world-renowned pediatric sleep expert, has been named the incoming dean and vice president for health affairs at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

The selection of Gozal is the culmination of a six-month national search.

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Brandon Dennison tapped for Marshall's VP of economic and workforce development

Marshall University President Brad D. Smith announced that Brandon Dennison, founder and CEO of Coalfield Development, will join Marshall as vice president of economic and workforce development.

The new post is part of Smith’s goal to position the university as a prosperity platform for West Virginia and beyond.

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Marshall adds bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences

The Marshall University School of Pharmacy is now offering a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (B.S.P.S.).

The new undergraduate program will prepare students for entry-level positions in industrial, academic or research environments and continued pursuit of advanced degrees in medicine, pharmacy or research. Marshall’s B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences is also offered as part of accelerated dual degree programs that result in a B.S. / Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) or B.S. / master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences.

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Marshall program among top in the U.S. for preparing future teachers in reading

The undergraduate teacher preparation program at Marshall University has been recognized by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for its rigorous preparation of future teachers in how to teach reading, earning an “A” grade in NCTQ’s new report.

The program is among just 23% nationwide and three in West Virginia to earn an “A” from NCTQ for meeting standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction.

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