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

March 2024 Newsletter

As spring approaches, Marshall students, alumni and supporters have much to look forward to. Marshall's Baseball season at the new Jack Cook Field has officially begun, and Herd fans can also eagerly await football season as the 2024 schedule was recently released.

Here at the Marshall Foundation and Alumni Association, we are gearing up for our Scholarship Honor Brunch and our 85th Alumni Awards Banquet, both happening April 13 on Marshall's campus. We are also calling on all members of the Marshall family to support the university during our Day of Giving: 1,837 Minutes for Marshall April 24-25.

Read about all this, and more, in our March newsletter!

85th Alumni Awards Banquet

Saturday, April 13, 2024 | Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall

Marshall University and the Marshall University Alumni Association (MUAA) are set to host the 85th annual Alumni Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 13, beginning at 6 p.m. with dinner and awards at the Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall.

The Marshall University Alumni Awards Banquet recognizes outstanding alumni, university supporters and students during an evening of celebration and reverence of the great things being accomplished by the Marshall University alumni community.

The 2024 national award recipients are James Lester, Distinguished Alumnus; Joel "Woody" Woodrum, Distinguished Service to Marshall; Holly Mount, Outstanding Community Achievement; and Kyle Powers, Distinguished Young Alumnus.

In total, nearly two dozen awards are presented during the annual event including national awards, individual college awards of distinctions, scholarships and more.

Join us on social media @ForMarshallU on April 13 beginning at 6 p.m. to view the livestream.

Herd Baseball opens Jack Cook Field with shutout game

The Marshall University Baseball team (2-7) opened Jack Cook Field with a thrilling game on the landmark day for the university and athletic department in front of 3,124 fans. In the inaugural contest at the first on-campus baseball field, The Herd shutout, 3-0, the Manhattan College Jaspers (3-4).

"A lot of work has gone into getting to March 1 and having this ballpark ready for the opener," Herd baseball head coach Greg Beals said after the win. "[Sic] all along was worried about making sure the ballclub was ready and our guys certainly responded today. We pitched the ball well and played great defense. Then we got some big hits. Obviously, the leadoff home run set the tempo for the ballclub. The crowd was ready to go and that lit them up pretty good."

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MAS: Amos Lee live in concert

With his laid-back vocal delivery and acoustic songwriting, Amos Lee draws inspiration from soul music, contemporary jazz, and ’70s folk artists like James Taylor. The Philadelphia native first began performing while in college. After graduating with a degree in English, he taught elementary school before deciding to pursue a music career full-time.

While bartending at local music bars, Lee honed his songwriting skills, performing at open mic nights, and meeting industry contacts - one of which happened to be Bob Dylan’s manager. He landed some high-profile gigs as an opening act, including an extended tour with pianist/vocalist Norah Jones.

Special Guest: Julia Pratt

Julia Pratt is a 22 year old singer-songwriter based in Philadelphia. A songwriter at heart, Julia’s music blends pop, jazz, R&B and folk, with dashes of electronic productions.

For information call the Marshall Artists Series at 304-696-6656.

Marshall releases 2024 football schedule

Marshall Football learned of its official 2024 schedule on March 1 following its release from the Sun Belt Conference and ESPN.

The Thundering Herd will play six home games, highlighted by a pair of Sun Belt Conference games at Joan C. Edwards Stadium - an Oct. 5 contest against Appalachian State University and a Nov. 16 contest against Coastal Carolina University.

"The schedule release is always a good time of year because it means we are one step closer to football season," Marshall Football coach Charles Huff said. "As always, we are excited about the opportunity to play some really good opponents. The Sun Belt Conference continues to be extremely competitive week-in and week-out. This gives us some guidance into what we are up against for this extremely challenging season."

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Community Cares Week returns this May

Do you love The Herd? Do you want to help make our campus shine?

Calling all alumni, supporters, community members, faculty, staff and students…

We need your help!

We are in the planning stages for our annual Community Cares Week – and we want you to mark your calendar!

Join us for a little sweat equity…plus food, fellowship and FUN! More information to follow.

Annual Day of Giving set for April 24-25

1,837 Minutes for Marshall!

Marshall University alumni and supporters will have an opportunity to make their mark on the university during the annual Day of Giving across two days April 24-25.

Hosted by the Marshall University Foundation, this event is an opportunity for the Marshall family to join together and make a lasting impact on the students of Marshall and to help shape the future of the institution. Beginning at noon on Wednesday, April 24, Marshall’s Day of Giving will highlight "1,837 Minutes for Marshall." Marshall University alumni and supporters are encouraged to participate in this transformational day by visiting givingday.marshall.edu.

ALUMNI CHAPTERS

Mid-Ohio Valley to host scholarship fundraiser

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The Marshall University Alumni & Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley invite you to attend its annual Scholarship Fundraiser Dinner on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the Grand Pointe Conference and Reception Center in Vienna, West Virginia.

Special guests include keynote speaker President Brad D. Smith and a performance by Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.

For sponsorship or ticket information, please call or text Laurie Martin at (304) 488-3297.

FOUNDATION NEWS

The Chafin Law Firm establishes scholarship

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The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of The Chafin Law Firm Scholarship. This scholarship is generously endowed by Truman and Letitia “Tish” Neese Chafin. Both have marketing degrees from Marshall, graduating in 1967 and 1986, respectively.

The Chafin Law Firm is a small, specialized practice in the heart of the West Virginia coalfields in Mingo County. The Chafin Law Firm has represented West Virginia counties seeking damages from drug manufacturers due to the opioid epidemic. The Chafins created this scholarship to support students whose family was adversely affected by the opioid epidemic.

“We’re honored to have represented the counties and cities in this terrible situation, particularly what’s happened to southern West Virginia,” said H. Truman Chafin, founder of The Chafin Law Firm. “We wanted to do anything we can to the community who helped us.”

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Marshall’s Drinko Library to present AIDS Memorial Quilt

Marshall has several activities planned in recognition of AIDS Awareness Week, including exhibiting the AIDS Memorial Quilt, which will be on display in Drinko Library March 4 – 20.

The AIDS Memorial Quilt is among the largest community arts projects in history. It is compiled of 50,000 quilt squares created in memory of a loved one who has died in the AIDS epidemic. The National AIDS Memorial brings sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt to communities across the United States to raise awareness and promote education about HIV/AIDS, while remembering those lost to the disease.

“HIV/AIDS has been a stigmatized illness since its discovery in 1981. The stigmatization of the illness led to government inaction which ended the lives of millions of men, women, children and gender nonconforming folks,” said MegHan Sexton-Harness, research specialist with Marshall Libraries and a coordinator of the event. “Though HIV/AIDS is now a survivable condition, a lot of the stigma remains, and millions around the world are still dying from improper access to life-saving and expensive medications.”

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Tickets available for School of Journalism Hall of Fame ceremony

Tickets are available for the April ceremony to honor four graduates of Marshall University’s W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications (SOJMC) who are being inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.

Katherine L. “Kitty” Dooley, Caryn Schafer Gresham, Jason Pheister and Mark Truby make up the Hall’s Class of 2023-24. WSAZ-TV anchor Tim Irr will be the emcee for the evening.

“It’s always a great evening when we are able to have everyone together to properly celebrate even more exceptional graduates of our program,” said Chris Dickerson, president of the SOJMC Alumni Advisory Board, which handles the nomination and selection process. “This year’s class of inductees is another perfect example that proves Marshall has one of the best journalism and mass communications programs in the country.

“We’re fortunate to have such a rich pool of candidates that represents successes in varied aspects of the field locally, regionally and nationally.”

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