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Month: April 2025

Marshall University alumni and supporters will have an opportunity to make their mark on the university during the fourth annual Day of Giving: 1837 Minutes for Marshall, which spans two days – April 23 and 24.

Hosted by the Marshall University Foundation, this virtual event invites the Marshall family to come together and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Marshall students. Kicking off at noon on Wednesday, Marshall’s Day of Giving will spotlight “1837 Minutes for Marshall,” a tribute to the university’s founding year. For just over 30 hours, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters are encouraged to visit givingday.marshall.edu and make a gift.

“Day of Giving is an important opportunity for the Marshall community to directly support students and programs across campus,” said Griffin Talbott, senior director of annual giving for the Marshall University Foundation. “Each year, we’ve seen strong participation and real impact from funding scholarships and supporting academic initiatives. Every gift counts, and every donor helps move Marshall forward.”

During Day of Giving, supporters are invited to make gifts to specific scholarships, programs, departments or other university priorities. The day includes matching gift opportunities, challenges and incentives designed to boost participation and maximize impact. Donors can direct their support to areas they care about most, whether that’s academic excellence, student life or campus improvements.

In addition to monetary contributions, supporters can sign up to become ambassadors to raise awareness on the importance of Day of Giving through email and social media to ultimately increase donations. Ambassadors may sign up through the same website, givingday.marshall.edu. Along with individual participation, many of the university’s alumni chapters are signing up to become ambassadors.

An estimated 77 percent of Marshall students receive financial aid assistance, and gifts made during Day of Giving assist Marshall students with the ability to receive an affordable education. In fiscal year 2024, 400 additional scholarships were awarded, and more than 200 additional students received scholarships compared to the previous fiscal year.

For more information about making an impact through giving, contact the Marshall University Foundation at 304-696-6264 or visit www.formarshallu.org.

Marshall University and the Marshall University Alumni Association hosted the 86th Annual Alumni Awards Banquet presented by Marshall Health Network on Saturday at the Marshall Health Network Arena.

“The Alumni Awards Banquet is one of the most meaningful traditions we have at Marshall,” said Walker Tatum, director of alumni engagement. “It’s a time to reflect on the outstanding accomplishments of our alumni and to honor those who have made a lasting impact in their professions, communities and beyond. We are incredibly proud of this year’s award recipients. They embody the very best of what it means to be part of the Marshall family.”

Among the list of two dozen honorees at the 2025 awards banquet, Dr. Lonnie G. Thompson and Dr. Ellen Mosley-Thompson were named the Distinguished Alumnus and Distinguished Alumna. Pam Nibert received the Distinguished Service to Marshall University award, Laurie Martin received the Outstanding Community Achievement award, and Sean Hornbuckle received the Distinguished Young Alumnus award. Accepting on Hornbuckle’s behalf was his son, Tristan.

Individual Awards of Distinction were presented during the event to honorees from each of Marshall’s schools and colleges. This year’s Awards of Distinction recipients were Don Pendleton (College of Arts and Media), Stephen Matthew “Sam” Hood (College of Business), Dr. A Stanley Maynard and Dr. Barbara Maynard (College of Education and Professional Development), Finley Hammond (College of Engineering and Computer Sciences), Katrina Kappen (College of Health Professions), Maurice Cooley (College of Liberal Arts), Dr. Paulette S. Wehner (Marshall University School of Medicine), and Dr. Benjamin Fredrick (Marshall University School of Pharmacy).

Also recognized at the event were the Alumni Association’s alumni chapters, including Megan Barbour as Chapter President of the Year of the Annapolis Marshall University Alumni Chapter; Marshall University Southern Coalfields Alumni and Big Green Chapter as Chapter of the Year, receiving the award four years in a row; Marshall University Huntington Alumni Chapter as Emerging Alumni Chapter; Annapolis Marshall University Alumni Chapter as Excellence in University Support and Fellowship; Marshall University Black Alumni as Excellence in Student Recruitment; Marshall University Alumni Association Raleigh-Durham Chapter as Excellence in Mentoring; and Marshall University Alumni and Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley as Excellence in Scholarships.

Thompson is a distinguished university professor in the School of Earth Sciences and a senior research scientist in the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center at The Ohio State University. He is one of the world’s foremost authorities on paleoclimatology and glaciology. He has led 66 ice-core drilling expeditions during the last 46 years. He has received the John and Alice Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, the Seligman Crystal Award, and in 2001 was selected by Time magazine and CNN as one of America’s Best in science and medicine. Thompson was elected as a foreign member of the Chinese National Academy of Sciences and in 2013 he received the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award, the highest award given to a foreign scientist by the Chinese government. In 2007, he was awarded the U.S. National Medal of Science, the highest honor that the U.S. awards to American scientists.

Mosley-Thompson is a distinguished university professor in the Department of Geography (Atmospheric Science Program) and a senior research scientist at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center at The Ohio State University. She uses the chemical and physical properties preserved in cores collected from both polar ice sheets and high mountain glaciers to reconstruct Earth’s complex climate history. In 2010, she led the field team for the ice core drilling project on the Bruce Plateau (Antarctic Peninsula), a U.S. contribution to the International Polar Year, where the team collected a 448-meter core to bedrock. She has published 146 peer-reviewed papers and received 57 research grants.

Mosley-Thompson and her husband have jointly received the Dan David Prize, the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Earth and Environmental Science, the Gregor Mendel Medal, and the BBVA Foundation’s Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Climate Change for advancing the knowledge and understanding of past and current climate change through persistent, dedicated ice-core research in the vanishing high mountain glaciers of the tropics and mid-latitudes. They both are elected members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. In 2023, they released a movie titled “Canary” that documents their ice core program. The film’s goal is to inspire the next generation of young scientists while calling for action in dealing with the climate crisis.

Nibert, vice president of administration and executive assistant to the president and CEO of the Marshall University Foundation, received her award from the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors in special recognition for her 27 years of service to the Foundation. Nibert, who will retire from the Foundation in June, joined the Foundation in September 1997.

During her time with the Foundation, Nibert helped oversee relations with the Foundation’s Board of Directors, the establishment of Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall, which opened its doors in 2010, and the historic Marshall Rises comprehensive campaign, which raised more than $176 million for Marshall University.

Martin graduated from Marshall University in 1987 from the College of Education. In 1998 she received her Master of Arts in elementary education from Marshall Graduate College. Martin has been a teacher in Wood County, West Virginia, for 36 years.

In 2009, Martin envisioned establishing the Marshall University Alumni and Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley. Her goal was to unite alumni in the region — to foster friendships, build community and advance Marshall University’s mission. She also sought to provide financial assistance to high school seniors from the Mid-Ohio Valley who were considering attending Marshall.

Under Martin’s leadership, the Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter has experienced remarkable growth. As of May 2024, the chapter has raised more than $362,000. While scholarship support for local high school students remains a priority, the chapter has expanded its vision to include a wide range of philanthropic initiatives.

The Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter has contributed financially to numerous causes including many fundraising campaigns at Marshall and the region, as well as establishing endowments with both the Marshall University Foundation and the Big Green Scholarship Foundation. Martin has also been instrumental in planning, coordinating and hosting the chapter’s annual dinner in Vienna, West Virginia. This event serves as a networking opportunity for Marshall alumni.

Hornbuckle is the son of Patricia and the late Moses Hornbuckle. He graduated from Huntington High School where he lettered in basketball and football. He was in French Honorary, National Society of High School Scholars, and was part of the first class of the Promise Scholarship recipients as well as Marshall University’s Outstanding Black Scholar Society. While in undergrad at Marshall, Hornbuckle majored in sports management and marketing earning his degree magna cum laude. He also welcomed his pride and joy to the world, his son Tristan. Hornbuckle became student body president and Mr. Marshall while earning his MBA. He is now a financial advisor with Edward Jones where he has earned many accolades in the industry and the firm. In 2023, Hornbuckle became the state’s first African American floor leader as house minority leader while representing the 25th District of the West Virginia Legislature. That was a landmark year as Hornbuckle was an inaugural inductee into Marshall University Black Alumni’s Hall of Fame.

Active in his community, in 2019 Hornbuckle partnered with former Councilwoman Sandra Clements to help form the Fairfield Community Development Corporation. In 2021, he helped Dr. Jacob Kilgore launch Fairfield U, a mentorship, academic, STEM enrichment and development program that matches youth from the community with Marshall medical students. In 2023, he pioneered the state’s first ever Center for Economic and Community Development in Black Appalachia and Isolated Communities.

Other honorees at the annual alumni awards banquet include the Dr. Ronald G. Area “3 C’s” Award with Rus Livingood and Kinnie “KD” Hudnall as recipients for their “The ThunderCast” podcast. The inaugural Alumni Partner of the Year award was given to Ryan Crisp, and the Alumni Volunteer Service award was given to Barbara White. In addition, Marshall University Black Alumni also awarded Cassandra Woods with the Fran Jackson Scholarship award and Markayla Moore with the Janis Winkfield Scholarship award.

For more information visit www.formarshallu.org.

The Marshall University Foundation hosted its annual 2025 Scholarship Honor Brunch, which honored student scholarship recipients at Marshall University. The event took place Saturday and recognized those students benefiting from privately-funded scholarships, as well as the generous donors and families who make these opportunities possible.

Toney Stroud, chief legal officer and vice president for strategic initiatives and corporate relations at Marshall University, delivered a keynote address to attendees. The event brought together more than 400 students and donors in the Don Morris Room of the Memorial Student Center.

“The Scholarship Honor Brunch highlights the incredible impact that scholarships have on our students and the university,” Stroud said. “At Marshall, we are steadfast in our commitment to supporting students and fostering their success. The generosity of our donors is central to our ability to offer these life-changing opportunities, and we are deeply grateful for their continued support.”

A highlight of the event was a special address from freshman student Zoey Coakwell, a recipient of the Marshall For All program, which is an initiative that offers students the chance to graduate debt-free. Coakwell shared how this scholarship program has had a profound impact on her educational journey and future aspirations.

“Thanks to the Marshall For All program, I am able to focus on my studies and personal growth without worrying about student debt,” Coakwell said. “This program has truly been a game-changer in my life, and I am excited to contribute to the Marshall community during my time here.”

Nico Karagosian, president and CEO of the Marshall University Foundation, also addressed attendees, sharing his vision for the future of the Foundation and the importance of scholarships in furthering the university’s mission.

“The work we do at the Foundation goes beyond simply providing scholarships,” Karagosian said. “It is about creating lasting change, transforming lives, and ensuring that every student who joins Marshall University has the opportunity to succeed. The Scholarship Honor Brunch celebrates the power of education and the generosity of those who make it possible.”

Krystle Davis, executive director of donor engagement, spoke about the significance of maintaining strong relationships between the Foundation and its supporters.

“Our donors are the foundation of Marshall’s success,” Davis said. “Their generosity directly impacts the lives of our students, providing them with the support they need to succeed. We are incredibly grateful for the continued commitment of our donors and look forward to seeing how their contributions will continue to make a difference in the lives of Marshall students.”

The Scholarship Honor Brunch is a key event in celebrating the ongoing partnership between the university and its donors, while recognizing the exceptional students whose lives are being transformed through the power of education.

For more information on how to establish a scholarship or make a donation to support Marshall University students, please contact Krystle Davis at the Marshall University Foundation by phone at (304) 696-6781 or via email at krystle.davis@marshall.edu.

The Marshall University Foundation invites faculty and staff to participate in the Marshall University Family Campaign by enrolling in payroll deduction throughout April.

During the month, faculty and staff can sign up for payroll deduction, allowing them to make a lasting impact through regular, automated contributions. Donors can choose to direct their contributions to a specific scholarship, program fund or the Annual Fund. The Annual Fund is essential for supporting key university initiatives, especially addressing the university’s most urgent needs. Every contribution, no matter the amount, helps shape the future of Marshall University.

“Faculty and staff support is crucial to our success, and payroll deduction makes it easy to contribute. It allows you to spread your gift throughout the year, making it automatic and more convenient for your finances,” said Griffin Talbott, senior director of annual giving for the Marshall University Foundation.

Enrolling this month will also count your gifts toward the university’s fourth annual Day of Giving, taking place on April 23 and 24. This virtual event encourages the Marshall community to come together and make a lasting impact on students while shaping the university’s future. Last year, donations surpassed $176,000, and this year, the goal is to exceed that amount.

During the Marshall Foundation’s Gratitude Week last fall, Mike McCarthy, vice president of information services for Marshall Health Network and chief information officer for the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine had this to say about his years of giving through payroll deductions:

“I would say it’s a feeling of connection,” McCarthy said. “You’re making a 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.”

For questions regarding the Family Campaign or Day of Giving, please contact Talbott at griffin.talbott@marshall.edu or 304-696-6214. To enroll online, visit https://www.formarshallu.org/family-campaign-donation-form/.