Month: July 2024

Marshall University has announced a pledge of $1 million from alumnus Allen Hager in support of the Marshall For All program.

“I am delighted to receive such a generous financial commitment from Mr. Hager in support of Marshall For All,” said Marshall’s President Brad D. Smith. “Beyond the incredible financial support, Allen is a role model and invaluable thought partner for me and the campus community. As an alum, he has seen the transformational power of Marshall firsthand – and he uniquely understands and appreciates what his contribution means to the next generation of Marshall students.”

The Marshall For All program allows Marshall students to combine scholarships, grants, work opportunities and family contributions to earn their bachelor’s degree without needing student loans, which will allow students to graduate with little to no debt. To qualify, students will need to complete a FAFSA annually and commit to actions such as graduating on time, pursuing work opportunities and participating in financial literacy programs.

The program, announced by Marshall University President Brad D. Smith in 2022, launched last fall with new first-year West Virginians and metro area students. The university will expand the program over the next decade with the goal of reliving student debt for all Marshall students by 2037.

“The first 100 Marshall For All students have proven that by Marshall removing a financial barrier and providing wrap-around support services, the university’s students of greatest need are showing higher grade point averages and are being retained in college at rates higher than their peers who are not in the program,” said Ginny Painter, Marshall’s chief of staff. “Ultimately, this means higher graduation rates, improved economic prospects for individuals, and economic benefits for the region through a better-educated workforce.”

Hager graduated from Marshall with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs in 1980. He then received an MBA in 1984 from Tulane University, and was later part of the executive development program of the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School for Management at Northwestern University.

In 1995, Hager founded Right at Home in Omaha, Nebraska, after spending nearly a decade in hospital administration in both West Virginia and Nebraska. Right at Home offers specially trained care-staff who assists seniors and adults with disabilities to improve their quality of life right in their own homes. Today, Right at Home has grown to more than 600 locations across the U.S. and internationally.

Hager was a founding member of the Home Care Association of America and served as its legislative chair and board member for eight years.

In addition to the $1 million pledge toward the Marshall For All program, Hager also gave $25,000 in 2017 toward the Brian Angle Leadership Award Endowment.

To learn more about the Marshall For All program, visit www.marshall.edu/marshallforall.

The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the Thomas B. Wright III Scholarship to benefit students in the Lewis College of Business and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business. This scholarship is generously endowed by Thomas B. Wright III.

After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in management and economics from Marshall, Wright went on to earn a Master of Science degree in administration from Central Michigan University.

Following his education, Wright joined Hallmark where he served in roles as director of corporate staffing, director of HR in a seven-plant manufacturing division, director of corporate diversity, manager of college relations, and manager of affirmative action planning. He was recruited in 1996 to join Thorn Americas as vice president of field human resources.

In 1999, Wright was recruited back to Hallmark Cards as the director of HR – corporate divisions and served in that capacity until his promotion to senior vice president and corporate officer of human resources. As the senior vice president and corporate officer of human resources, he held responsibility for human resources in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico.

Following a career leading his own firm, Tom Wright Consulting, Wright was recruited to join EPR Properties where he performed the role of senior vice president of human resources and administration and then transitioned to an executive advisory role in the company for the CEO before his first stab at retirement.

In November of 2020, Wright was asked to serve as the interim senior vice president – chief human resources officer for Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City, eventually becoming executive vice president – chief human resources officer and executive director of the Leadership Center within the Berry Institute.

He is an alumnus of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Kansas City Tomorrow Leadership Program. He has been recognized as one of Kansas City’s 100 Most Influential African Americans, was named Outstanding Black Alumni at Marshall University, and was recently inducted into the Hall of Distinction of Marshall University’s Society for Human Resource Management chapter. He was inducted into the Lewis College of Business Hall of Fame in 2023.

Wright is the proud father of three sons, Thomas IV, Jonathan and Bryan, and a grandfather to three. Wright recently celebrated his fourth wedding anniversary to his wife, Joanne, a nationally recognized master sculptor with Hallmark Cards for 41 years prior to her retirement.

The scholarship recipient will be a full-time student in the College of Business who is a West Virginia resident, in good academic standing with a 2.5 GPA or higher, and has need per the standards of the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

The award will be renewable for up to four years, or eight semesters. The dean of the College of Business, or their designee, will select the recipient and renew the award in cooperation with the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

For information regarding the Thomas B. Wright III Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.