Official Newsletter of the Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association | May 2025

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

Thank you, Herd Nation! Because of your generous support, we raised a record-breaking $275,189 from 664 gifts during our Day of Giving: 1837 Minutes for Marshall on April 23 and April 24. Donations poured in from friends and alumni across 29 states, with 49 ambassadors securing 146 additional gifts. We also raised over $11,346 for Marshall For All. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering commitment to our students, faculty and programs.

April 12 was an unforgettable day on campus as we welcomed over 400 students during the April Green and White Day. The Foundation proudly hosted the annual Scholarship Honor Brunch, which brought together more than 440 students, parents, faculty, staff and friends. The Spring Memorial Fountain Ceremony honored our 75 with a moving tribute, featuring a keynote address by Jesse Smith, the 1974 team captain of the Thundering Herd. The excitement continued as over 10,000 fans filled the Joan for the Spring Football Game, and the day concluded with the 86th Annual Alumni Awards Banquet celebrating several dozen distinguished alumni. Thank you to everyone who participated and congratulations to the staff who made it all possible!

Fundraising and alumni engagement remain strong this fiscal year, with over $28 million in new gifts and commitments since July 1, 2024. This includes contributions from more than 3,000 donors, nearly 2,000 of whom are alumni.

We’re eagerly anticipating celebrating with our graduates during spring commencement on May 10. For additional details, visit the link below. Please also mark your calendars for Community Cares Week, taking place May 20–23: https://www.marshall.edu/cares/.

As always, thank you for your support of Marshall. Go Herd!

Nico

Marshall University News

Foundation News

Foundation hosts annual Scholarship Honor Brunch

The Marshall University Foundation hosted its annual 2025 Scholarship Honor Brunch, which honored student scholarship recipients at Marshall University. The event took place April 12 and recognized those students benefiting from privately-funded scholarships, as well as the generous donors and families who make these opportunities possible.

Toney Stroud, chief legal officer and vice president for strategic initiatives and corporate relations at Marshall University, delivered the keynote address. The event brought together more than 400 students and donors in the Don Morris Room of the Memorial Student Center.

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The Chafin Law Firm gives an additional $25,000 toward established scholarship

The Marshall University Foundation has announced a recent gift of $25,000 from Truman and Letitia “Tish” Neese Chafin of The Chafin Law Firm in support of the Chafin Law Firm Scholarship, which they established in 2023.

The Chafin Law Firm is a small, specialized practice in Mingo County. The Chafins created the scholarship to support students who have overcome challenges due to the opioid epidemic. The Chafins graduated with marketing degrees from Marshall University in 1967 and 1986, respectively.

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Alumni News

Retirement Literacy Seminar May 14 and May 21

In collaboration with Marshall Online and the Big Green Scholarship Foundation, the Marshall University Alumni Association is offering a Retirement Literacy Seminar hosted by Tyler Hutchison with The Hutchison Group. The seminar will be hosted in two sessions from 6-8 p.m. May 14 and May 21 at 1425 Fourth Ave. in the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation, Room 112 (hybrid option available).

The seminar offers comprehensive retirement planning, with emphasis on the cost of retirement, managing tax liability, protecting wealth and assets, and more. The course is $99.99 for both sessions. For questions or registration concerns, please contact microcredentials@marshall.edu.

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Thompsons named Distinguished Alums at Alumni Awards Banquet

Marshall University and the Marshall University Alumni Association hosted the 86th Annual Alumni Awards Banquet presented by Marshall Health Network on April 12 at the Marshall Health Network Arena.

Among the list of two dozen honorees at the 2025 awards banquet, Dr. Lonnie G. Thompson and Dr. Ellen Mosley-Thompson were named the Distinguished Alumnus and Distinguished Alumna. Pam Nibert received the Distinguished Service to Marshall University award, Laurie Martin received the Outstanding Community Achievement award, and Sean Hornbuckle received the Distinguished Young Alumnus award. Accepting on Hornbuckle’s behalf was his son, Tristan.

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Class Notes

Chris Manack-Stover ('88) was recently hired as city manager of Follansbee, West Virginia. 

Stephen Treacy ('71) wrote the award-winning screenplay "Winter Bird," which has been optioned for an independent film set to begin production later this year.

🦬 Trivia Time! 🦬

Marshall University continues to maintain its R2 Carnegie Classification (Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity), reflecting its strong dedication to research excellence and innovation.

In what year did Marshall first obtain R2 status?