Marshall University and the Marshall University Alumni Association hosted the 85th Alumni Awards Banquet on April 13 with a total of seven alumni chapter awards announced during the event.
The inaugural Chapter President of the Year award was given to Laurie Martin of the Marshall University Alumni and Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley. Two annual awards were given during the event, the first to the Marshall University Alumni Greater Annapolis Area Chapter for the Emerging Chapter award, and the second to the Marshall University Southern Coalfields Alumni and Big Green Chapter for the Chapter of the Year award.
“The Chapter President of the Year award recognizes outstanding leadership, and Laurie truly embodies what it means to be a leader,” said Matt James, executive director of alumni relations. “We are so proud to celebrate Laurie with the inaugural Chapter President of the Year award, as well as recognize our Annapolis chapter and our Southern Coalfields chapter for a remarkable year.”
Martin has served as president of the Marshall University Alumni and Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley for more than 16 years. The chapter has donated $326,000 dollars to the Marshall University Foundation and the Big Green Scholarship Foundation. The Marshall University Alumni and Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley has also received the most Chapter of the Year awards with a total of seven since 2014.
The Marshall University Southern Coalfields Alumni and Big Green Chapter is a three-time recipient of the Chapter of the Year award, first receiving it in 2022. The chapter tied last year for the award with the Marshall University Alumni and Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley.
The Marshall University Greater Annapolis Area Chapter received its first chapter award for Emerging Chapter after forming in August of 2022 with its first official chapter meeting taking place in February of 2023. In over a year, the chapter has nearly 100 alumni in its chapter membership.
Four new Chapter Excellence awards were also announced during the event for Excellence in Fellowship and Support, Excellence in Mentoring, Excellence in Scholarships and Excellence in Student Recruitment.
“It is important to reflect the growth of our alumni chapters with the addition of these new awards,” James said. “These chapters are so deserving for all they do to uphold the pillars set forth for our university.
The 75 Family Alumni Chapter received the Excellence in Fellowship and Support award. The chapter seeks to unite the friends and family members of those lost on Southern Airways Flight 932 on Nov. 14, 1970, which took the lives of 75 individuals, made up of Marshall football players, coaches, fans and the flight crew. In the past year, it has been the chapter’s mission to have a larger presence on campus, particularly during the fall and spring Memorial Fountain Ceremonies, as well as raise funds for scholarships.
The Society of Yeager Scholars Alumni Chapter received the Excellence in Mentoring award. The chapter brings together Yeager Scholar graduates and current Yeager Scholars. Named for Chuck Yeager, the native West Virginian who broke the sound barrier, the Society of Yeager Scholars is a prestigious academic program that aims to cultivate exceptional students by providing them with unique opportunities for academic and personal growth. With 300 alumni from 33 graduating classes, Yeager alumni provide valuable guidance and encouragement to the program’s current students.
The Marshall University Alumni and Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley received the Excellence in Scholarships award. The chapter donated $42,000 in fiscal year 2023 in many areas, but primarily to scholarships between the Marshall University Foundation and the Big Green Scholarship Foundation. The chapter celebrated its successful annual scholarship fundraiser dinner on April 4 in Vienna, West Virginia.
The Marshall University Southern Coalfields Alumni and Big Green Chapter received the Excellence in Student Recruitment award. The chapter, which is based in Beckley, West Virginia, works with all the high schools in the four surrounding counties to raise awareness about academic and scholarship opportunities at Marshall.