October 2024 - Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association

October 30, 2024

Marshall University has announced a gift of $5 million from the Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Charitable Foundation to support the Marshall For All program. The foundation was founded by Sheryl Sandberg, former chief operating officer of Meta and founder of Lean In.

“I am profoundly grateful to my friends Sheryl Sandberg and Tom Bernthal for their extraordinary generosity towards the Marshall For All program,” said Brad D. Smith, Marshall’s president. “This remarkable gift not only underscores their commitment to fostering opportunity and inclusion but also propels our mission forward with renewed vigor. It is with immense appreciation that we embrace this support, which will undoubtedly make a lasting impact on countless lives and advance our shared vision of a more equitable future.”

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.

“When I visited Marshall University last year, Brad Smith explained his vision for Marshall For All and I was deeply inspired by his work to lift up all students,” Sandberg said. “Like Brad, I believe all young people should have access to a high-quality education to realize their full potential. I know the bright scholars of the Marshall For All program will be the next generation of leaders we need.”

“There is nothing more powerful than giving young people the opportunity to flourish,” Bernthal said. “Under Brad Smith’s leadership, the Marshall For All program opens doors for talented young students and puts them on a path to lifelong success. I can’t imagine a more important mission and we are honored to be a part of it.”

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

“On behalf of the Marshall University Foundation, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Sheryl, Tom and their foundation for their remarkable donation to the Marshall For All program,” said Nico Karagosian, president and CEO. “This generous support will drive meaningful change and expand opportunities for our students. This gift will play a crucial role in advancing our mission and make a difference in the lives of many. We are truly privileged to collaborate with them on this vital initiative.”

Sandberg is the founder and chair of the Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to build a more equal and resilient world through three key initiatives: Lean In, Option B, and the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program. Launched in 2013, Lean In supports a global community of over 100,000 Lean In Circles in 183 countries.

Sandberg previously served as chief operating officer at Meta for 14 years. She is the best-selling author of three books: “Lean In,” “Lean In for Graduates,” and “Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy,” which she co-authored with The Wharton School professor Adam Grant.

Bernthal is a founder and partner at Sandberg Bernthal Venture Partners. He is an Emmy-winning producer for NBC News and CEO of Kelton Global, a marketing consulting firm.

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

October 29, 2024

The Marshall University Foundation announces the retirement of Dr. Ronald G. “Ron” Area. The Foundation hosted a retirement celebration for Area Oct. 18 at Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall with donors, board members, staff and campus partners in attendance. The Foundation also recognized Area’s wife, Elizabeth “Beth” Area for their shared support of the university the past 17 years.

Nicolas “Nico” Karagosian replaces Area and began serving as president and CEO of the Foundation on Aug. 19. Area served as CEO since July 2007.

“We are incredibly grateful for Ron and Beth’s 17 years of remarkable service and leadership,” Karagosian said. “Their dedication to Marshall University and its community has left an enduring influence that will be felt for generations. As we celebrate Ron’s retirement, we honor their legacy of to the Marshall family. Ron’s work has set a high standard, and we look forward to building on the strong foundation he has established.”

Speakers for the event included Karagosian, Nancy E. Campbell, chair of the Foundation Board of Directors, Marshall University President Brad D. Smith, Amy Area Maxwell, daughter of the Areas, and the Areas as guests of honor. The conference center at Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall will now be named the Dr. Ronald G. Area Conference Center, and a plaque will hang in the conference center honoring Ron and Beth Area’s devotion to the Foundation and their lasting impact on the university.

“Ron Area has been more than a colleague – he’s been a dear friend,” said President Smith. “I am incredibly thankful for the time we’ve spent together and for his wisdom, guidance, and support over the years. His dedication to Marshall University has been transformative, and his work will continue to impact lives for generations to come.

“I’m excited about this new chapter in Ron and Beth’s lives, and I know they will continue to make a difference. We are all better for having had Ron and Beth by our side for so long.”

The Foundation has also established the Dr. Ronald G. and Mrs. Elizabeth L. Area Graduate Scholarship Fund in the College of Education, which was generously endowed by Dr. R. Mark and Mrs. Monica Hatfield. The scholarship acknowledges the Areas for their leadership and teamwork, and to celebrate the attributes they value and embody. The scholarship has received more than $450,000 in financial support with 100 percent participation from the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

“Beth and I are deeply grateful for the kindness and friendship we’ve received over the past 17 years,” Ron Area said. “Marshall University and the Huntington community have become a second family to us, and we will always cherish the memories we’ve made here. This university will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and we are thankful to have been a part of something so meaningful. Though we are moving into a new chapter of our lives, Marshall will always be with us.”

During his time with the Foundation, Area oversaw the success of the Marshall Rises campaign, a comprehensive campaign that spanned from 2016 to 2021 and focused on enhancing the student experience, forming a foundation of research and creative discovery, strengthening community partnerships and engagement, creating an environment of innovative learning, and expanding academics and growing Marshall’s reputation. With an initial goal of $150 million, the campaign surpassed to reach a final total of $176 million.

Area also spearheaded the founding of Foundation Hall, home of the Erickson Alumni Center, which opened in 2010. It would later be renamed the Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall in 2015. The Foundation was previously housed in Old Main, but with a rapidly growing staff, a new home was needed. The Marshall University Alumni Association, which at the time was looking for its own space, incorporated as a supporting organization under the Foundation, and became part of the Foundation Hall. The three-story, 33,000-square-foot building contains office space, meeting rooms, the conference center, and numerous pieces of memorabilia on display in the first floor rotunda. In honor of Area’s retirement, the Foundation has been gifted nearly $50,000 in support of the building maintenance fund.

From 1992 to 2004, Area was president and CEO of the Oklahoma State University Foundation. He was responsible for providing leadership, coordination and management for all private fundraising programs for the Oklahoma State University System. He and his administrative team designed, implemented and completed the university’s first comprehensive campaign raising in excess of $260 million.

Area served in higher education after receiving his doctorate of education from Oklahoma State University in 1978. Upon graduation from OSU, Area accepted the position of assistant dean of continuing education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He was later named dean. In 1981, he was named vice chancellor of development. During his last three years at UT Chattanooga, Area was named executive vice chancellor and vice chancellor of development.

For information regarding the Dr. Ronald G. and Mrs. Elizabeth L. Area Graduate Scholarship Fund in the College of Education, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162. For information regarding the building maintenance fund, please contact Marshall University Foundation at 304-696-6264.

October 10, 2024

The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the ZMM Architects and Engineers Scholarship. This scholarship is generously endowed for $120,000 by ZMM Architects and Engineers, which aims to support engineering students from West Virginia.

The scholarship was unveiled Thursday in Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall at Marshall University in Huntington. During the event, representatives from ZMM Architects and Engineers, Marshall University and the Marshall University Foundation shared how this scholarship will benefit local students and contribute to workforce development in the state.

The scholarship is part of the Marshall For All initiative and aims to alleviate financial burdens for aspiring engineers from West Virginia, encouraging more students to pursue careers in engineering. With the increasing demand for engineers, this initiative seeks to nurture local talent and enhance the state’s workforce.

“We are proud to invest in future engineers through this scholarship fund and support President Smith’s vision of ‘Marshall for All,’” said Adam Krason, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, ALEP, principal and architect at ZMM Architects and Engineers. “This scholarship helps us alleviate financial burdens for West Virginia students and fosters a new generation of skilled professionals who will contribute to the industry and the region’s growth. Creating this scholarship at Marshall University is a testament to our commitment to education and workforce development. What we do at ZMM is more than architecture; it’s about building a legacy.”

Founded in 1959, ZMM is recognized as the premier architecture and engineering firm in the region, employing over 65 professionals across operations in West Virginia, Virginia, and Ohio. The firm has been honored with 24 American Institute of Architects (AIA) West Virginia Chapter Design Awards since 2005, underscoring its commitment to excellence in design and community engagement.

Krason shared appreciation for those who made the gift possible. “We are able to make this contribution because of the opportunities afforded to us by our clients and the dedication of the ZMM team.”

Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall University, expressed gratitude for the partnership, stating, “We are immensely grateful to ZMM Architects and Engineers for their generous support toward our engineering program. This scholarship will make a significant difference in the lives of our students and is a vital contribution to our Marshall For All initiative. This partnership with ZMM will help ensure that more students can succeed – regardless of any financial constraints. Their support affirms a shared commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders, and we couldn’t be prouder to partner with them in this effort.”

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 scholarship recipient will be a full-time student in the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences who is a resident of West Virginia. First preference will be given to a student who has completed or plans to complete an internship with ZMM.

The award will be renewable up to four years, or eight semesters, if the recipient maintains good academic standing of 2.5 GPA or higher. The dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, or their designee, will select the recipient and renew the award in cooperation with the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

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