Month: March 2021

Marshall University alumna Jennifer Bailey recently established the Harry and Barbara Raczok Scholarship to honor her late parents.

Harry Raczok graduated from Marshall in 1964 with degrees in biology and health and physical education. He also completed his master’s at Marshall and was pursuing a Ph.D. in plant physiology at the University of Maryland in the 1960s. After circumstances required him to abandon that pursuit, he joined the faculty of Marshall as an associate professor of biology.

Barbara Raczock enrolled at Marshall and caught Harry’s eye. The couple married in the Campus Christian Center on June 30, 1974. At that time, Barbara decided to focus on her role as a wife and mother. Eleven years later, she returned to Marshall and completed the remaining three years of her degree in just one and a half years, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in education in 1987. She returned in 2004 to complete a Master of Arts in reading education.

Harry Raczock resigned from Marshall’s biology department in 1978 and began his career as a public-school biology and life science teacher. His career ended at Buffalo High School in Putnam County, West Virginia. Barbara Raczock taught at Kellogg in Huntington, then for a few years at Byrd Elementary in Graniteville, South Carolina, and then returned to West Virginia and taught at Buffalo Elementary School.

“My parents both truly believed in education, whether ‘traditional’ higher education, career and technical education, or pursuit of certifications, as the best path for students to reach their full potential. My mom always had a passion for kids. She just absolutely loved them. She took tremendous joy in nurturing them and helping them learn, and her heart broke for the kids who struggled,” said Bailey, who graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in flute performance in 1996.

“Because of the role Marshall played in our lives, establishing a scholarship in their names felt like the best, most natural way to perpetuate not only their memories, but also enable a new generation to write their own Marshall stories.”

The Harry and Barbara Raczok Scholarship is a renewable award that assists full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate students who demonstrate need per the standards of the Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance. First preference is to West Virginia residents who are studying in Marshall University’s College of Education and Professional Development, with second preference to any student in the College of Education and Professional Development.

For today’s students, Jennifer said her parents would encourage them to demonstrate their enthusiasm and how that was of greater importance than the success of specific content knowledge.

“I believe my parents would emphasize the importance of caring for and building relationships with students, while having a sense of humor and being genuinely enthusiastic about the content to be taught.”

For information regarding the Harry and Barbara Raczok Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.

Harvey J. and Kimberly Austin recently established the Harvey J. and Kimberly Austin Family Scholarship, which supports graphic design or video production students in Marshall University’s College of Arts and Media.

Harvey Austin graduated from Marshall University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design and serves as the vice president and managing director of video and creative production for Syneos Health. Kimberly Austin graduated from Marshall University Joan C. Edward School of Medicine in 2001 and is now a physician at OhioHealth in Columbus, Ohio. Together, they have one daughter, Aja.

Harvey Austin says he learned many lessons during his time at Marshall but believes the ability to lead a team and invest in the growth and advancement of others has been most beneficial in his career.

“Art and design have always been important to me. When I was entering college, the idea of having a career in the arts was always a dream of mine,” he said. “There have been so many technical and creative advances in the industry within the last two decades. Those advances are attracting many students who never thought about studying design and production in college. I think it’s more important to encourage careers in the arts and give financial assistance to students aspiring to make the world a more creative place.”

Student recipients of the Harvey J. and Kimberly Austin Family Scholarship must be in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need, per Marshall University’s Office of Financial Assistance. First preference is given to Cabell County, West Virginia residents, with second preference to a resident of West Virginia (beyond Cabell County), Kentucky or Ohio.

“The greatest advice I was given while at Marshall was to make the most of your time in college, both from an educational and social stance. Expand the knowledge and skills you are gaining in the classroom into internships, volunteer opportunities and part time work within the creative field while still in college. Network as much as you can with professionals and peers in the industry. Focus on leaving a legacy where every person, group and organization is more productive and purposeful because of your presence and contributions,” Harvey Austin said.

For information regarding the Harvey J. and Kimberly Austin Family Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.