Marshall University Foundation hosted its annual Gratitude Week Nov. 18-22. The week celebrates the contributions of donors, alumni, faculty, staff, students and community partners who help advance the university’s mission.
A few celebratory moments occurred before the week began as on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 a handful of faculty and staff members were surprised with balloons, certificates and special guests to thank them for their years of giving to the Foundation’s annual fund. Those recognized were Dr. Robert Bookwalter, dean of the College of Liberal Arts; Dr. Paulette Wehner, vice dean for education for the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine; Mike McCarthy, vice president of information services for Marshall Health Network and chief information officer for the School of Medicine; Ginny Painter, Marshall’s chief of staff; and Leah Payne, Marshall’s director of communications.
Bookwalter, who has donated for 29 years, said when he became a dean and oversaw budgets, he realized the importance every gift can make on departments and colleges. Bookwalter, who was previously interim dean of the College of Education and Professional Development, gives through payroll deduction to the College of Education and Professional Development and College of Liberal Arts annual funds.
“A little bit helps and I’m so grateful for that,” Bookwalter said. “Every gift is valuable. It supports the good ideas of the faculty and our students.”
Wehner said the importance of giving stemmed from her years of attending Marshall Artists Series events with her husband and daughters.
“The donation is always under the names of my daughters, Emily and Olivia, and since they were teeny tiny, we always took them to the Marshall Artists Series,” Wehner said. “My husband and I attended the Marshall Artists Series early on and we saw really outstanding artists. It’s a wonderful thing the university does, and I hope it continues.”
Wehner, who has given for 27 years, also gives to the Drs. Mitchell Charles and Paulette S. Wehner Scholarship along with her husband, as well as the School of Medicine Annual Fund.
“For anyone looking to give, my advice is to support the things you’re passionate about,” Wehner said. “My passion is medical education, and then my family’s passion – we’re a very eclectic, musical family.”
McCarthy, who is a Society of Yeager Scholars graduate of the inaugural Ashland Class of 1991, has donated for 28 years to the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Scholarship Campaign Endowment, the College of Liberal Arts Annual Fund, and the Society of Yeager Scholars Program. For him, the decision to give stems from the importance of giving back.
“I would say it’s a feeling of connection,” McCarthy said. “You’re making a the positive contribution to what you know is a worthwhile institution and one from which you have benefited as well, so you can ensure future generations can benefit.”
Among the other activities for the week, the Foundation hosted tables in the Memorial Student Center Tuesday and Wednesday with hot chocolate and cookies as an opportunity for students and campus employees to stop by for a “thank you” for all they do. The Foundation also asked them to share their stories about what they’re grateful for, ranging from their friends and family to The Herd.
To round out the week, on Thursday the Foundation’s own staff was recognized for their dedication to the organization with a small reception and pastries from Nomada Bakery.
For questions about payroll deductions or how to make contributions to the Foundation’s annual fund, contact Griffin Talbott, senior director of the annual fund, at 304-696-6214 or griffin.talbott@marshall.edu.