Skip to Content Skip to Navigation
Marshall University Foundation Logo

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.”

Truman Chafin served in the West Virginia State Senate from 1982 to 2014 and served as majority leader from 1998 to 2010. Truman Chafin founded the law firm after graduating from Michigan State University College of Law in the late 1970s. The firm’s office is the previous home to Williamson, West Virginia’s, U.S. Post Office and Courthouse.

Tish Chafin received her law degree from West Virginia University College of Law and began working at the firm shortly after. She was appointed to Marshall’s Board of Governors by then-Governor Bob Wise in 2005 and served two terms. She also previously served as president of the West Virginia State Bar Association from 2010-2011.

Truman Chafin said the decision to establish the scholarship was an easy one as the older you get, the more important you realize it is to give.

“That’s where your real happiness is, to give and not receive,” Truman Chafin said. “We wanted to be able to help someone who is really talented and has the grades and give them the gift that keeps on giving, which is education.”

Amy Saunders, managing director for Marshall’s Center of Excellence for Recovery, said the scholarship will have a positive impact. The Center of Excellence for Recovery aims to increase the well-being of West Virginians through behavioral health, education, prevention, outreach, recovery and applied research initiatives.

“We are grateful for the Chafins’ generosity for creating this funding for our students from Mingo County,” Saunders said. “Many West Virginia youth and families have been affected by opioids and other substance use disorders. This funding will allow us to assist a student who has already worked very hard to overcome challenges in their family and community to provide support to reach their academic dream.”

The scholarship recipient shall be a full-time student and has financial need per the standards of the Office of Student Financial Assistance. First preference is to a student from Mingo County, West Virginia.

The award shall be renewable up to four years, or eight semesters, if the recipient maintains good academic standing of 2.0 GPA or higher. The director of the Center of Excellence and Recovery shall select the recipient and renew the award in cooperation with the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

For information regarding the Chafin Law Firm Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162. To learn more about The Chafin Law Firm, visit www.thechafinlawfirm.com.


The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the Alpha-Tech Scholarship. This scholarship is generously endowed for $100,000 by Alpha Technologies and will serve students studying cybersecurity. 

In August of 2023, Marshall received $45 million from the state of West Virginia to establish a state-of-the-art Institute for Cyber Security, which will position the university at the forefront of cyber defense and research. 

“The Alpha-Tech Scholarship is more than a donation; it’s an investment in the next generation of cybersecurity experts. We look forward to seeing the impact these students will make, both at Marshall University and in the broader field of cybersecurity,” said Doug Tate, CEO and owner of Alpha Technologies. 

Alpha Technologies is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business and information technology service company headquartered in Hurricane, West Virginia, with a global datacenter located in South Charleston, West Virginia. Alpha Technologies is a business technology company focused on IT services such as system security and maintenance, internet connectivity, Alpha-Voice services, cloud computing, data storage and backup, and more. 

Alpha Technologies’ investment in the Institute for Cyber Security at Marshall aims to create cybersecurity practitioners and buyers, bridging the gap between West Virginia and larger markets in technology, said Rich O’Brien, president of Alpha Technologies. With a 20-year history in the state, Alpha Technologies highlights its commitment to networking services and cybersecurity, while hiring students from Marshall as well as local community colleges. 

“Education is a key driver of progress, and our collaboration with Marshall University underscores our belief in the transformative power of knowledge,” O’Brien said. “The Alpha-Tech Scholarship aims to empower students by providing not just financial support but also valuable opportunities for practical experience.”  

The scholarship recipients shall be full-time undergraduate or graduate students from West Virginia majoring in a cybersecurity-related field, who are in good academic standing with a 2.5 GPA, and have financial need per the standards of the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Student recipients will be encouraged to apply for internships at Alpha Technologies, translating their academic knowledge into real-world practice. 

The scholarship may be awarded to up to four students a year. The award shall be renewable up to four years, or eight semesters, if the recipient maintains good academic standing. The dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, or their designee, shall select the recipient and renew the award in cooperation with the Office of Student Financial Assistance.  

For information regarding the Alpha-Tech Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.