Month: September 2024

The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the Julius Gregory Jessie Scholarship. This scholarship is generously bequested by Julius “Greg” Jessie, a 1973 accounting graduate of Marshall University.

Jessie founded Jessie and Jessie in 1980 with his brother, Chris, after previously working for their father. Jessie and Jessie is an accounting firm in Williamson, West Virginia, offering accounting and tax preparation services to customers and small business owners.

Jessie said his decision to endow this scholarship through the bequest of his estate came from a decrease in resumes over the years to his business from accounting majors and he hopes to energize undergraduate students in the accounting department at Marshall.

“I would like to encourage more graduates and more college students to get involved in the accounting profession,” Jessie said. “I want to help these students to encourage them to take business courses and get into accounting with the long-term goal of becoming a CPA. We need to get more CPAs into our field.

“I want to help the business school as best I can the way it helped me.”

The scholarship recipient will be a full-time student majoring in accounting in the Lewis College of Business and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business and is a West Virginia resident.

The award will be renewable up to four years, or eight semesters, if the recipient maintains good academic standing of 3.0 GPA or higher. The dean of the College of Business, or at their discretion, the Department of Accounting, will select the recipient and renew the award in cooperation with the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

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

Marshall University has announced its 2024 Homecoming activities, promising a week filled with nostalgia, camaraderie and spirited festivities for students and alumni alike. The theme this year is “The Marco Games,” which takes a Marshall spin on multi-sport events from a wide range of disciplines providing unity and athletic excellence.

The Homecoming game is set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, against Appalachian State University at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

“We are pleased to announce the return of events that our Marshall and Huntington communities look forward to attending,” said Tiffany Hartman, assistant dead of student life. “This year, we’re also introducing new activities for families to enjoy together. Additionally, the Homecoming Court will be bringing awareness and raising funds for nonprofit organizations during Homecoming Week. We invite everyone to join us on Monday, Sept. 30, for the Unity Walk, where we will announce this year’s Homecoming Court and begin a week of celebration and community engagement.”

The Marshall University Alumni Association is eager to welcome back members of the Marshall family, recognizing the vital role alumni play in the university’s continued growth and success.

“Homecoming is a powerful reminder of the roots that ground an institution like Marshall, reinforcing the ties that bind so many generations together with one theme,” said Walker Tatum, director of alumni engagement. “This Homecoming, we’re excited to launch The Marco Games – a celebration that channels Marshall’s competitive spirit. It’s not just about competition though; it’s about rekindling friendships and celebrating our shared journeys past and present. So, gather yourself, your fellow alumni, dust off that Kelly green, and prepare for an unforgettable weekend filled with laughter, nostalgia and pride. Let the thundering commence!”

Please see a full list of events and activities below:

Monday, Sept. 30

Activities for the week begin at 5 p.m. with the Unity Walk, an annual event celebrating unity, inclusion and oneness on campus with music, fellowship and fun. Community members are invited and encouraged to participate. The walk begins at the Marshall Rec Center and ends at the Memorial Student Center Plaza. Marshall’s Homecoming Court will also be announced at the event.

Tuesday, Oct. 1

Student Affairs will host the Green and White Giving Competition from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, through Thursday, Oct. 3, in the Memorial Student Center Lobby. Homecoming court candidates will raise funds for a nonprofit of their choosing. The organizations that received the most funding will be announced at the bonfire Friday, Oct. 4.

Student Affairs will also host Salsa Under the Stars from 7-9 p.m. in BE5 in the basement of the Memorial Student Center. There will be dancing and the Charleston Salsa Club will provide lessons. For more information on this event, contact Corey Cunningham at cunningha189@marshall.edu.

Wednesday, Oct. 2

Black United Students Organization presents the Miss Captivating of Marshall University Scholarship Pageant, will take place at 7 p.m. in the Don Morris Room of the Memorial Student Center. The pageant was created for young college women to showcase themselves beyond beauty and further develop leadership skills, confidence and creativity.

Thursday, Oct. 3

The Marshall University Alumni Association will host its annual Office Decorating Contest from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Any department or office is welcome to participate. There will be prizes offered in three categories in each of two divisions, and two grand prizes. Winners will be announced during the Bonfire on Friday.

Homecoming StamFEED returns at 5:30 p.m., starting at LaFontaine’s Rooftop Lounge. All are welcome to kick off Homecoming weekend in Downtown Huntington at several favorite restaurants! Tickets are $75 and proceeds will benefit a Marshall University Alumni Association scholarship. Tickets may be purchased at https://homecomingstamfeed2024.eventbrite.com.

Hoops in Huntington returns at 7 p.m. along Third Avenue across from Pullman Square. Hoops in Huntington event highlights Herd athletics, including introductions from student-athletes and coaches, fun activities for families and more!

Wild N’ Out, an annual event full of fun and laughs centered on improvisational comedy, will take place at 10 p.m. in BE5 in the basement of the Memorial Student Center. For more information on this event, contact Corey Cunningham at cunningha189@marshall.edu.

Friday, Oct. 4

WMUL will host its annual Car Bash from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Buskirk Field. Join us as participants pay $1 to bash the car, painted in Appalachian State University’s colors, with a sledgehammer for two minutes. Sledgehammer, gloves and goggles will be provided.

Stop by the Memorial Student Center to register for Parent and Family Weekend from 2-6 p.m.

At 5 p.m. Friday, the Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association will celebrate the 25th and 50th classes at Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation. The 1974 and 1999 class members are also invited to observe Marshall’s Homecoming parade at 6 p.m. Register for this event by visiting https://marshallreunion2024.eventbrite.com.

The Homecoming parade will march down the streets of Huntington, featuring Dorothy “Dot” Hicks as grand marshal. Hicks is a former administrator, coach and professor at Marshall, and was dubbed the “pioneer of the women’s sports program at Marshall,” during her induction to Marshall Athletics’ Hall of Fame in 1990. Hicks has also left a legacy of philanthropic giving toward the university with multiple scholarships bearing her name. In March 2008, Marshall opened Dot Hicks Field, the university’s softball stadium.

The parade will begin on Fourth Avenue at 10th Street and travel east to Hal Greer Boulevard, where it will move up to Fifth Avenue and continue east to 17th Street at Harless Dining Hall. For those who are unable to attend the Homecoming parade in person, a livestream of the event may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/marshallu.

The annual bonfire is scheduled to take place immediately following the parade on Harless Field (located between Harless Dining Hall and City National Bank). Announcements will be made for the winners of the Green and White Giving Competition, the Office Decorating Contest, and the parade floats. There will also be special appearances by coaches, players, cheerleaders and more.

At 7:30 p.m., Marshall University Black Alumni will host its Hall of Fame ceremony in Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall. Honorees include Mrs. Edna Congleton, Mr. Larry Jarrett, Mr. William “Mickey” Jackson, Mr. Bernie Coston and Ms. LaKeisha Barron-Brown.

Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, there will be a Herd Family Feud night taking place in the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse along Fifth Avenue. This event is free and open to everyone.

At 10 p.m., Family Fun Night will be hosted in BE5 in the basement of the Memorial Student Center for board games, video games and more. This event is free and open to everyone.

From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. a silent disco will take place in Marco’s in the basement of the Memorial Student Center. For more information, contact Corey Cunningham at cunningha189@marshall.edu. This event is free and open to everyone.

Saturday, Oct. 5

At 12:30 p.m., the annual Marshall Alumni and Family Tailgate will take place in the Joan C. Edwards Stadium East Lot, beside the Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Complex. The tailgate is hosted jointly by the Marshall University Alumni Association and Marshall University Black Alumni, and presented by Woodlands Retirement Community. The tailgate features food, drinks, music and special guest appearances. Tickets to attend are $20. For tickets, visit https://muaatailgate2024.eventbrite.com.

A tailgate brunch accompanying Parent and Family Weekend will take place from noon to 2 p.m. in the John Marshall Room of the Memorial Student Center. Intercultural Affairs will have a family gathering from 1-3 p.m. on the East Lawn.

The Thundering Herd will take on Appalachian State University at 3:30 p.m. at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. During halftime, the Homecoming Court will be crowned on the field.

Greek life at Marshall will compete in the Greek Stroll-Off Competition at 8 p.m. in Marco’s in the basement of the Memorial Student Center. A stroll-off competition showcases a team’s agility, creativity and understanding of rhythm and dance as they show precision, synchronization, originality and showmanship. For more information on this event, contact Corey Cunningham at cunningha189@marshall.edu.

Marshall University Black Alumni will host its Masquerade Alumni Party from 8 p.m. to midnight at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Huntington. There will be a DJ, food and more!

To learn more about the week’s calendar of events, visit https://www.marshall.edu/homecoming/events.

Marshall University, the Marshall University Foundation and the Marshall University Alumni Association are excited to announce Dorothy “Dot” Hicks will serve as grand marshal for the university’s 2024 Homecoming activities the week of Sept. 30 through Oct. 5.

“We are proud to recognize Dot Hicks — a trailblazer, leader, and legend — as this year’s grand marshal,” said Matt James, vice president of alumni relations. “Her commitment and contributions to our university have made a significant impact, and we are honored to celebrate her service throughout Homecoming week. This has been a year of breakout women sports, so there’s no better time to highlight our own Herd sports icon.”

Highlighting her role as grand marshal, Hicks will lead the annual Homecoming parade at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4. The popular parade is set to make its way down Fourth Avenue in Huntington before ending on campus. The parade will be a part of a full week of activities for this year’s Homecoming, “The Marco Games,” which takes a Marshall spin on multi-sport events from a wide range of disciplines providing unity and athletic excellence.

Hicks is a former administrator, coach and professor at Marshall, and was dubbed the “pioneer of the women’s sports program at Marshall,” during her induction to Marshall Athletics’ Hall of Fame in 1990. Hicks has also left a legacy of philanthropic giving toward the university with multiple scholarships bearing her name. In March 2008, Marshall opened Dot Hicks Field, the university’s softball stadium.

“Being selected as grand marshal is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me,” Hicks said. “It’s been wonderful thinking about it, and I’ve thought about it a lot.”

Hicks, who is originally from Old Hickory, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville, graduated from Peabody College with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology and special education. She received a doctorate from the University of Tennessee in higher education and administration, and arrived in Huntington in 1969 after 14 years teaching at East Tennessee State University.

Hicks founded the women’s intercollegiate athletic programs at Marshall. She served as an associate athletic director in the 1970s and was also a professor in the Division of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, which included being chair of the Physical Education Department. She coached several sports at Marshall, including tennis, golf and volleyball. She went on to serve as the director of athletics for women’s sports and the liaison to the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women.

“It’s nice to be recognized,” Hicks said. “I wasn’t trying to impress anyone, I wanted to make sure the athletes had what they needed. Teaching was my first love, and I thought women should have the same rights as the men.”

In 1974, Hicks awarded the first two athletic scholarships in women’s sports to golfer Nancy Bunton and basketball player Kathy Haas.

Hicks said there was a time in her life when she thought it would not have been possible for her to attend college. Her Kiwanis Club in Nashville thought differently, and through their help Hicks was able to receive scholarships to attend college.

“I promised them that when I was financially able, I would create scholarships, which I have done,” Hicks said, creating numerous scholarships with the Marshall University Foundation and the Big Green Scholarship Foundation.

Hicks retired from Marshall in 1999 and in 2000 moved to Woodlands Retirement Community in Huntington. Though she still has family in Nashville, Hicks said Huntington has become her home.

“It’s wonderful to see the students and what they’ve done with their lives,” Hicks said. “Marshall is the best school in the country in my opinion because of the faculty, students and administration. With our current administration, we’ll be known all over the country and maybe even the world.”

In addition to the Homecoming parade, Hicks will also participate in other major events on and around campus leading up to the Homecoming football game against Appalachian State University on Saturday, Oct. 5. Other highlights of Homecoming week for alumni include the Unity Walk on Monday, Sept. 30; the Alumni Association’s 25th and 50th Class Reunion, and Marshall University Black Alumni’s Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 4; and the Marshall University Alumni Tailgate presented by Woodlands Retirement Community on Oct. 5.

More information about this year’s Homecoming can be found at www.formarshallu.org/homecoming.