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

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

Dear Marshall Alumni and Friends,

It has been a busy couple of weeks on the Marshall campus, and I hope you have been able to spend some time with us during all the wonderful events and activities taking place.

On Sept. 25, we joined West Virginia University at the Universities United event in Washington, D.C. Together we hosted a Congressional Celebration and recognized Sen. Joe Manchin for his years of service to our state. More than 100 Marshall University alumni joined us, including many of the Marshall University Alumni Greater Annapolis Area Chapter members.

Last week, we celebrated an incredible Homecoming. The Marshall University Alumni Association Board of Directors held its fall meeting, spending time with staff discussing how to engage alumni all over the country and continue to find meaningful ways to support our students. Staci and I and the kids took in our first ever Homecoming parade and bonfire, which was watched online by more than 33,000 viewers! Later that evening, we joined President Brad D. Smith and First Lady Alys Smith at the Marshall University Black Alumni Hall of Fame dinner, where we inducted five amazing alumni for their contributions to Marshall. Saturday was a perfect day for a football game as we hosted hundreds of alumni and their families at the MUAA Alumni and Family Tailgate. And the weekend was capped off in spectacular fashion with football's resounding 52-37 win over Appy State. Thank you to everyone who joined us in the festivities, and for your love of Marshall.

Next week, we will welcome the Marshall University Foundation Board of Directors for its fall meeting, and look forward to a productive couple of days focused on raising private funds to support our students and faculty. And on Friday, Oct. 18, we will honor outgoing Foundation CEO Dr. Ron Area as he retires after a distinguished 17 years of service to Marshall and the Foundation. Ron and his wife Beth have been a pillar of the Huntington and Marshall communities and we are forever grateful for their unwavering support and dedication.

If I can be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to email me at karagosian@marshall.edu. Thank you for all you do in support of Marshall. And Go Herd!

Nico

Marshall's 2024 Homecoming was a week filled with fun and fellowship as the Herd charged toward victory and we honored Dorothy "Dot" Hicks as grand marshal. Check out photos from our exciting week below!

Marshall beats App State in Homecoming game

Marshall Football got its 2024 Sun Belt Conference schedule off to a strong start on Saturday, earning a 52-37 win over Appalachian State in front of 28,023 fans at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

With the win, Marshall is now 3-2 on the season and 1-0 in the SBC.

Dot Hicks serves as Homecoming grand marshal

Dorothy "Dot" Hicks served as grand marshal during the week of Homecoming. Hicks led the annual Homecoming parade and was honored on the field during the game.

Hicks is a former administrator, coach and professor, and is considered the "pioneer of the women's sports program at Marshall."

Photos from our Homecoming StamFEED; Homecoming Parade: Office Decorating Contest; Marshall University Black Alumni's Hall of Fame; Homecoming Bonfire; Kylie Fisher and Dylan Ellison named Homecoming Royalty; and rounding out the week was a special appearance by country music star Zach Bryan.

VIEW MORE PARADE PHOTOS

VIEW MORE GAME PHOTOS

Support Sun Belt Conference Schools impacted by hurricane

Sun Belt Conference members, Appalachian State University and Georgia Southern University and their communities were hit hard by Hurricane Helene and are suffering significant hardships. Many members of our Marshall community have asked how they can help support our Sun Belt family. Here's how:

Tricia Ball returns to Marshall to lead the iCenter

Marshall University is proud to announce Tricia Ball’s appointment as the new executive director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (iCenter). Ball most recently served as president and chief executive officer of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Marshall and WVU SGAs partner for Month of Service

Marshall's Student Government Association has announced it has organized the sixth annual Month of Service for the Huntington and Morgantown communities with the help of West Virginia University’s SGA. Marshall's SGA representatives sincerely hope to make a difference this month so that students, faculty, staff and alumni can participate.

ALUMNI NEWS

Marshall celebrates 25th and 50th reunion classes

Members of the 25th and 50th classes congregated at the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation for a reunion event to commemorate the milestone anniversaries. Classmates enjoyed reminiscing about their time at Marshall, as well as viewing the Homecoming Parade as it traveled down Fourth Avenue.

MORE PHOTOS>>>

MUAA and MUBA host Alumni tailgate

For the second year in a row, Marshall University Alumni Association and Marshall University Black Alumni hosted the Alumni and Family Tailgate in the East Lot of Joan C. Edwards Stadium. More than 200 Herd alums and their families enjoyed the festivities before the game. The event was presented by Woodlands Retirement Community.

MORE PHOTOS>>>

ALUMNI & CHAPTERS INFO

FOUNDATION NEWS

ZMM Architects and Engineers establishes scholarship

The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the ZMM Architects and Engineers Scholarship. This scholarship is generously endowed for $120,000 by ZMM Architects and Engineers, which aims to support engineering students from West Virginia.

The scholarship was unveiled Thursday in Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall. During the event, representatives from ZMM Architects and Engineers, Marshall University and the Marshall University Foundation shared how this scholarship will benefit local students and contribute to workforce development in the state.

Julius Gregory Jessie establishes scholarship

The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the Julius Gregory Jessie Scholarship. This scholarship is generously bequested by Julius “Greg” Jessie, a 1973 accounting graduate of Marshall University.

Jessie founded Jessie and Jessie in 1980 with his brother, Chris, after previously working for their father. Jessie and Jessie is an accounting firm in Williamson, West Virginia, offering accounting and tax preparation services to customers and small business owners.

MORE FOUNDATION NEWS

PROACT's annual Race Toward Recovery 5K set for Oct. 19

PROACT will host the Third Annual Race Toward Recovery 5K run/walk on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Barboursville Park, starting at 8 a.m.

PROACT (Provider Response Organization for Addiction Care and Treatment) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in affiliation with Marshall Health Network that offers a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment by integrating behavioral, social and medical services for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). All proceeds from the event will support PROACT's ongoing efforts to deliver this vital care.

Marshall to host Black History Month poster competitions

The Carter G. Woodson Lyceum at Marshall University is hosting the 2025 Black History Month Poster Competitions for students in elementary, middle and high school. The deadline for submissions is 10 p.m. Nov. 15 and the theme for 2025 is “African Americans and Labor.”

The competitions are open to Marshall University and all K-12 students, who may submit one entry per student. It is free to enter. The winner at Marshall will receive $250. First place winners in elementary, middle and high school will receive $100 and their teachers $50.

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!

VIEW CLASS NOTES

...it's time for #HerdHistory!

The Marshall University Alumni Association hosted the 25th and 50th reunion classes during Homecoming. Check out this picture of Cathy Ambridge, a 1974 alum, holding up her photo in the 1973 Chief Justice.

See more throwback photos and #HerdHistory on the Marshall University Foundation & Alumni social media channels.

@ForMarshallU

Marshall University Foundation & Alumni

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Huntington, WV 25703

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