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

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

Dear Marshall Friends and Alumni - First and foremost, Staci and I and our kids wish you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season, Merry Christmas, and wonderful new year. We have so much to be thankful for, and at the top of that list is being part of the amazing community that is the Marshall University Family. Thank you to everyone who has made our "first semester" at Marshall such an incredible experience.

It certainly has been an exciting time on our campus over the last month, and that continues as we move into the first full weekend of December. Our Thundering Herd athletic teams are making waves across the nation, as our men's soccer team heads to Dallas at 7 p.m. Saturday to take on Southern Methodist University with a berth in the College Cup on the line. That same night at 7:30 p.m., our football team takes on Louisiana in the program's first visit to the Sun Belt Conference Championship game. Our men's and women's basketball teams are also on the road this weekend, as the men travel to North Carolina to battle University of North Carolina Wilmington at 2 p.m. Saturday, and our women close out the weekend down in Gainesville, Florida, against the University of Florida on Sunday, also at 2 p.m.

There are myriad activities taking place in conjunction with all these contests, including a joint Sun Belt Conference Championship pre-game reception co-hosted by the Big Green and Alumni Association. Men's basketball coach Corny Jackson will host a meet and greet in Wilmington before the game on Saturday. Additionally, several of our alumni chapters will be hosting game watching parties, including a doubleheader by our Central Ohio Alumni Chapter - please see below for more details or email alumni@marshall.edu to find out what's happening in your part of the country.

The MUAA is proud to partner with the Marshall University School of Pharmacy for an alumni reception on Sunday, Dec. 8, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Next week, all are welcome to take part in Herd Holiday and the Christmas tree lighting on campus on Dec. 10. On Dec. 12, 15-time Grammy Award-winner Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder will come to Huntington to perform a Christmas show as part of the Marshall Artists Series.

I would also be remiss if I didn't take a moment to thank our generous alumni and friends who have contributed so much to support Marshall University. As of Dec. 4, 2024, more than 1,600 donors have contributed more than $20.3 million in the five-plus months of FY25, well on our way to exceeding our $25 million goal. The passion and dedication to our beloved institution is remarkable.

For those of you who would like to make a year-end gift, you can do so by clicking here. Additionally, to support the Big Green Scholarship Foundation and our athletic programs, click here.

Enjoy this special time of year, and we hope to see you at one of the many activities taking place throughout December. As always, thank you for everything you do for Marshall University and our students. And Go Herd!

Nico

ALUMNI NEWS

MUAA and Big Green to host SBC Championship tailgate

Join us for a tailgate prior to the Sun Belt Conference Championship game Saturday, Dec. 7, in Lafayette, Louisiana.

The tailgate will be from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at The Yard Goat (116 Bertrand Dr., Lafayette, LA 70506). Admission is complimentary and attendees must be 21 or older. Parking is available onsite.

RSVP to biggreen@marshall.edu or text Teddy Kluemper at (304) 412-0796.

PURCHASE GAME TICKETS>>>

86th Alumni Awards nominations are open

You can be a part of Marshall's biggest night of the year for alumni during the 86th Alumni Awards Banquet in April 2025!

There are numerous awards including Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna, Distinguished Service to Marshall University, Outstanding Community Achievement and Distinguished Young Alumnus/Alumna.

NOMINATE AN ALUM>>>

FOUNDATION NEWS

Marshall Foundation celebrates staff giving

Marshall University Foundation hosted its annual Gratitude Week Nov. 18-22. The week celebrates the contributions of donors, alumni, faculty, staff, students and community partners who help advance the university’s mission.

A few celebratory moments occurred before the week began as on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 a handful of faculty and staff members were surprised with balloons, certificates and special guests to thank them for their years of giving to the Foundation’s annual fund.

READ MORE>>>

We are...grateful

During Gratitude Week, the Foundation spent two days in the Memorial Student Center lobby with hot chocolate and cookies and asked, "What are you grateful for?" Students, faculty and staff chimed in and shared what they're thankful for.

Wrapping up the week, the Foundation's own staff was recognized for its dedication to the organization with pastries from Nomada Bakery.

Check out the link below for more photos from the week!

VIEW PHOTOS>>>

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!

Alex Peach ('10) has been named vice president of accounting for Service Wire Company. Peach received a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Marshall University, and went on to earn his CPA licensure. In 2016, Peach joined Service Wire as accounting manager and promoted to controller in 2018.