Official Newsletter of the Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association | September 2025 | | |
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A letter from the president and CEO of the Marshall University Foundation
September is here, and with it, the full rhythm of the academic year. From a home football win to celebrating the largest gift in our university's history, the Marshall spirit is alive and thriving.
Last week, just under 24,000 fans packed Joan C. Edwards Stadium as we watched our Herd roll past Eastern Kentucky with a 38-7 win. Staci and I had the chance to spend time with friends and donors on the new Dutch Miller Deck, which is already proving to be a fantastic addition to our gameday experience.
Earlier this week, we celebrated a truly historic milestone for Marshall University. President Brad D. Smith and First Lady Alys Smith have made a transformational $50 million gift to advance Marshall For All — our bold initiative to eliminate student debt. Their investment will help students across West Virginia and Appalachia graduate debt-free and reflects a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives and communities. We are profoundly grateful for their vision, leadership and generosity.
Thanks to the momentum generated by this gift — and the tireless work of our advancement team — Marshall closed FY25 with record-breaking results:
| | | Metric | FY25 | FY24 | % Change | | New Gifts & Commitments | $80.4M | $16.557M | +385% | | Pledge Payments & Cash Received | $32.8M | $19.3M | +70% | | Total Donors | 3,603 | 3,247 | +11% | | Alumni Donors | 2,235 | 2,057 | +8.7% | | New Donors | 900 | 681 | +32.1% | | | |
These numbers reflect growing confidence in our direction and deepening trust in our team. Thank you to every donor, ambassador and friend who helped make this possible.
As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership. Your belief in Marshall fuels everything we do. Let’s keep the momentum going.
Go Herd,
Nico Karagosian
| | Smiths give $50 million to Marshall, set new standard in higher education | | |
Marshall University has announced a historic $50 million gift from President Brad D. Smith and First Lady Alys Smith to advance Marshall For All, a groundbreaking program designed to eliminate student debt.
The milestone gift is the largest bestowed to the university, and is the largest personal contribution made by a sitting university president to their own institution.
“We are honored to support Marshall University and the Marshall For All program with this gift,” the Smiths said. “Our ‘why’ is simple: to level the playing field in West Virginia and Appalachia. We hope this gift ensures that every student with the dream of an advanced degree has the opportunity and support to achieve it — while also showing what’s possible for the future of higher education in our region and beyond.”
Read more about this transformational gift
Learn about Marshall For All
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Jim Thornton named Homecoming grand marshal, theme announced
Marshall University is excited to welcome home Jim Thornton, the voice of “Wheel of Fortune,” who will serve as grand marshal for the university’s 2025 Homecoming activities the week of Oct. 13 through Oct. 18. The theme, "Wheel of Thunder," is a nod to his work.
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Weisberg Engineering Complex celebrates 10th anniversary
Marshall University celebrated a major milestone Aug. 25 with the 10th anniversary of the Arthur Weisberg Family Applied Engineering Complex (WAEC.) Named after Arthur Weisberg, a regional business leader and major benefactor of Marshall who passed away in 2012, the facility is located on Third Avenue. The WAEC provides students with a modern, collaborative environment for learning and innovation.
View Photos
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Donors gather in Atlanta, Toney Stroud gives keynote remarks
Marshall University supporters gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, the night before the Herd played the Georgia Bulldogs in the football team's season opener on Aug. 30.
"An Evening with Marshall" was a night of conversation and connection with alums and donors in the greater-Atlanta area.
Toney Stroud, chief legal officer and vice president for strategic initiatives and corporate relations, gave the keynote remarks to nearly 30 members of the Marshall family. Stroud provided campus updates and spoke on Marshall For All, the university's program to eliminate student debt.
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Foundation presents scholarship information to students
In partnership with the Office of Student Financial Assistance and the Division of Student Affairs, members of the Marshall University Foundation spoke to a group of students Aug. 27 during a "We Make Money Moves" presentation.
Ashley Ferguson, donor engagement and communications intern, and Ashley Marion, director of stewardship and fund management, shared how students can use the Scholarship Portal to apply for eligible scholarships. They also discussed the benefits of using iGrad, a financial literacy platform that helps students manage their funds.
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Fans tailgate before Marshall vs. WVU soccer game
Herd fans gathered for a special Tailgate with the Herd before the Marshall Women’s Soccer game against West Virginia University on Sept. 11.
This celebration, hosted by the Huntington Alumni Chapter, brought together the Herd community. In addition to fans and supporters, fellow Marshall student-athletes attended the tailgate to cheer on the team. With WVU Women’s Soccer team returning to Huntington for the first time since 1999, Herd Nation showed up in full force to pack the Vet and make it count.
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Herd fans gather for Marshall vs. Georgia tailgate
More than 350 Herd alums and fans turned out for the Marshall vs. Georgia tailgate on Aug. 30 in Athens, making it a spirited kickoff to the football season.
The Marshall cheer and dance teams kept the energy high while Matt James, vice president of alumni relations, and Teddy Kluemper, executive director of the Big Green Scholarship Foundation and senior associate director of athletics, spoke about the power of collaboration.
To close out the event, President Brad D. Smith fired up the crowd with a resounding “We Are…Marshall” chant.
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The Alumni Association recently partnered with Bobbi-Dobbiez to create a Dobbie of our favorite mascot! These portable, plush friends can latch to your backpack, lanyard, shoes and more!
For a contribution of $25 or more to the Alumni Association General Fund, donors will receive a Bobbi-Dobbie Marco as a thank-you gift.
The fair market value of the Bobbi-Dobbie is $15, and the remaining amount above that will be considered a tax-deductible donation.
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Did you know? The Marshall University Alumni Association offers PerksConnect, an exclusive perks program available to all Marshall alumni.
With PerksConnect, you’ll gain access to a range of discounts — both locally and nationwide. From dining and shopping to travel and entertainment, your free account unlocks big savings wherever you are.
Getting started is easy. Visit marshall.perksconnection.com to register and start saving immediately.
| | 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! | | |
Before Marshall itself existed — there was the Beech Tree.
The Beech Tree was a campus landmark situated next to Old Main, but whose roots stretched back to the 1500s. Students would often find themselves under its branches between classes, and would etch their names into its wood to commemorate their time at Marshall. However, tragedy struck when the tree was toppled during a storm.
Can you remember the year?
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Marshall University Foundation
and Alumni Association
519 John Marshall Drive,
Huntington, WV 25703
(304) 696-6264
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