Official Newsletter of the Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association | September 2024

A letter from the president and CEO of The Marshall University Foundation

Dear Marshall Family – I hope you are enjoying the first signs of fall in Huntington and all over the country. As I complete my first month here at Marshall University, I want to express my appreciation and thanks for the warm welcome extended to Staci and I and our children as we become part of Thundering Herd nation. Marshall is an amazing place – like no other university in the nation – and we are eternally grateful to be a part of it.

It has been a busy first month in my new role, meeting dedicated alumni and friends, spending time with our dynamic President Brad D. Smith, attending events in and around Huntington and West Virginia, taking in our first football game, and learning about all the great things happening on campus. Each month as part of this newsletter, I will highlight some of those accomplishments as well as update you on The Marshall University Foundation's efforts around philanthropy and alumni engagement.

The first day of classes was Aug. 19, and we welcomed our second cohort as part of the Marshall For All, Marshall Forever program. We are pleased to share that last year's cohort, the first 100 students to be part of this effort, outperformed their peers in both grade point average and retention rate. And 97% of those students came from homes with income below the poverty line.

Our enrollment continues to grow, as we are projecting another increase of nearly 5% with this incoming class. This is the second consecutive year of growth; in fact, between 2022 and 2024, enrollment at Marshall has risen by more than 12%.

Our Thundering Herd football team travels to Columbus to take on The Ohio State University on Saturday, Sept. 21, at noon. The Marshall University Alumni Association and The Big Green Scholarship Foundation are hosting a pre-game tailgate. More details to come on the Marshall social media channels.

As a reminder, Homecoming Week begins Monday, Sept. 30. We hope you are able to join us for the festivities!

If there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly at karagosian@marshall.edu. Thank you for your support of Marshall University. And Go Herd!

Nico Karagosian

President and CEO, The Marshall University Foundation

Marshall's Homecoming is set for Saturday, Oct. 5, against Appalachian State University. Events and activities are scheduled throughout the whole week, and we hope you'll join us!

Class reunion set for Oct. 4

Are you a 1974 or a 1999 graduate? Join us Friday, Oct. 4, for our special class reunion event for the the 25th and 50th classes at the brand-new Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation.

This event includes light refreshments and appetizers. Attendees may also observe the Homecoming parade as it passes along Fourth Avenue.

REGISTER HERE>>>

MUAA and MUBA to host Alumni Tailgate

The highlight of Homecoming week! ALL are invited to this wonderful tailgating experience, hosted by the Marshall University Alumni Association and Marshall University Black Alumni! Located in the Joan C. Edwards Stadium East Lot (beside the Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Facility). This event is presented by Woodlands Retirement Community.

REGISTER HERE>>>

Curious about other Homecoming events or where to purchase tickets for the Homecoming game? Check out these links below!

ALUMNI NEWS

Central Ohio chapter hosting events ahead of OSU game

All are welcome to join the Marshall University Alumni Association Central Ohio Alumni Chapter at Gresso's Restaurant & Bar Friday, Sept. 20, for a pre-game mixer. Enjoy some provided food, meet the leaders of the Central Ohio Chapter and get prepared for the Thundering Herd to take on Ohio State University the next day.

LEARN MORE>>>

MUAA and Big Green to host tailgate before OSU Game

Join us from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. The tailgate will be located by the Schottenstein Center on the corner of Olentangy River Road and West Lane Avenue, and is an 11 minute walk to Ohio Stadium. It is $45 per person and you must prepay to reserve your spot. Register by Friday, Sept. 13. Parking is not included.

REGISTER HERE>>>

FOUNDATION NEWS

Faulconer donates $1.5 million for accountancy and legal environment scholarship

The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the Prentiss Lee Faulconer Jr. Endowed Scholarship for Accountancy and Legal Environment. This scholarship was generously endowed by Diane Ramy Faulconer, in honor and memory of her late husband, who passed away in November of 2013.

READ MORE >>>

Class notes are a great way to stay up-to-date with news from former classmates and other alumni, faculty and staff, and other members of the Marshall family!

Jerry Thorne (‘76) has retired after a 48-year career in advertising sales and management with the Marietta Times, the Parkersburg News & Sentinel and most recently EzToUse.com.

Krista Duncan Black ('90, '92) and her company, TOPDOG Legal Marketing, LLC, founded in West Virginia as TwoDogBlog, has been named by the Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest as a finalist for the 2024 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics, sponsored by Desert Financial Credit Union. The program raises awareness in marketplace ethics and honors businesses that operate with integrity.