Rebecca Stephens, Author at Marshall University Foundation & Alumni

August 12, 2024

Nicolas Karagosian, MBA, CFRE, former president and CEO of the Ohio University Foundation and vice president of university advancement, has been named president and CEO of the Marshall University Foundation, Inc., and senior vice president for development for Marshall University, Nancy E. Campbell, chair of the Foundation’s board of directors, has announced.

Karagosian replaces Dr. Ronald G. Area, who has served as CEO since July 2007.

“I am so pleased that Nico has agreed to join the Marshall family,” Area said. “His skill set, experiences and abilities will lead the Foundation to new heights.” Karagosian and his wife of 25 years, Staci, a former elementary school teacher, have five children.

Campbell said she is thrilled to announce the appointment of Karagosian. Karagosian will officially assume his role on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024.

“Following an extensive national search, the Foundation’s board of directors is confident that Karagosian is the ideal candidate to lead the organization,” Campbell said. “With his impressive background and commitment to philanthropy, we believe he will drive the Foundation’s mission forward. I am excited to work alongside Nico. His expertise and vision will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to support Marshall University and its students.”

Karagosian’s transition will be facilitated by Area, who has been instrumental in the Foundation’s success. Together, they will ensure a seamless and positive experience for all stakeholders.

Marshall President Brad D. Smith said, “I am thrilled to welcome Nico Karagosian and his family to Marshall University and the Huntington community. His proven track record of success and his unwavering dedication to advancing the strategic outcomes for educational institutions will be invaluable as Marshall continues our transformational journey in service to our strategic roadmap – Marshall For All, Marshall Forever!

Karagosian is joining our campus community at an exciting time and will be building on the strong foundation that Dr. Ron Area has architected during his 17 years of leadership. I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Ron for his many years of exceptional service and significant impact. He has led by example, winning hearts and cultivating support in ways that have positioned Marshall for an even stronger future. We look forward to continuing this legacy of excellence with Nico at the helm.

Please join me in thanking Ron and Beth Area for their friendship, stewardship and impact as we extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to Nico and his family to the Marshall team!”

“Staci and I are looking forward to working with some of the most dedicated, loyal and passionate alumni, donors, fans and friends in the nation,” Karagosian said. “We have followed and admired Marshall for many years and are honored to now be part of the Thundering Herd family and Huntington community. Thank you to Chair Nancy Campbell, the Marshall University Foundation board of directors, and Marshall University President Brad Smith for this incredible opportunity, and to Ron Area for his amazing work over the last 17 years in support of Marshall.”

Karagosian earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Hobart College in Geneva, New York, and his MBA and Master of Science from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, New York. Additionally, Karagosian earned his Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification from CFRE International in 2009. He has more than 25 years of fundraising experience, including the last 12 at three R1 Carnegie Classified public universities.

He was the senior director of development at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, from 2012-2014, serving as chief development officer for the largest college on the university’s campus. He then moved on to the University of Cincinnati Foundation from 2014-2018, where he held progressively responsible senior leadership roles culminating as the vice president of advancement and executive director of the University of Cincinnati Bicentennial.

From 2018 through 2024, he served as president and CEO of the Ohio University Foundation and vice president of university advancement. While at Ohio, Karagosian led a team of 80 in their efforts to launch the largest comprehensive campaign in the university’s history. He also increased annual fundraising by more than $15 million per year, grew alumni engagement by more than 400%, and oversaw an endowment with more than $1 billion in total assets under management. Under his leadership, the Foundation earned GuideStar’s Platinum designation for transparency for four years in a row, was rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator in 2022 and 2023 and earned multiple awards and recognitions from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

August 8, 2024

The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the Prentiss Lee Faulconer Jr. Endowed Scholarship for Accountancy and Legal Environment. This scholarship was generously endowed by Diane Ramy Faulconer, in honor and memory of her late husband, who passed away in November of 2013.

This gift results in the department being named the Prentiss Lee Faulconer Jr. Department of Accountancy and Legal Environment within the Lewis College of Business and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business housed in the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation.

“Diane’s extraordinary contribution to this scholarship and Marshall’s Department of Accountancy and Legal Environment reflects her deep dedication to education and community progress,” said Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall University. “This generous support will empower future students to thrive and innovate in vital disciplines, leaving an enduring mark on our university and the broader community.”

The scholarship and department create a fundamental opportunity for the future of the College of Business, said Ben Eng, interim dean of the Lewis College of Business and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business.

“Gifts of this magnitude are transformative for our college’s future,” Eng said. “They enable us to expand programs and attract top talent, ensuring that our students receive a world-class education that prepares them to be high-impact leaders in the global marketplace.”

Prentiss Lee Faulconer Jr. graduated from Marshall University’s Lewis College of Business in 1968. Raised in Alexandria, Virginia, he attended the Fork Union Military Academy. Upon graduating high school, he followed in the footsteps of his grandmother and enrolled at Marshall.

After graduating from Marshall with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting with a minor in economics and mathematics, he accepted a position with Ernst and Whinney as a CPA in Miami, Florida. During this time, Faulconer also served as a Staff Sergeant for the U.S. Army National Guard. After two years with Ernst and Whinney, Faulconer was named director of fiscal services for Mount Sinai Medical Center of Greater Miami.

During his 12 years with Mount Sinai Medical Center, Faulconer was responsible for the internal development of the hospital information system, which was marketed by the hospital and Burroughs Corporation, an American medical equipment company. He later served as chief financial officer of North Broward Hospital District, which comprises of five hospitals, and served as vice president of finance for Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Florida.

Faulconer also developed a software company, Omega Health Care Systems, which provided 40 financial programs for health care facilities. He sold the company in 2002.

Along with his professional pursuits, Faulconer also served on numerous national, state and local committees. He was voted “outstanding speaker” by the Florida Institute of CPAs.

“Lee held a deep appreciation for Marshall for the impact it made on his life,” Ramy Faulconer said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to honor his memory with this gift toward the College of Business, a gesture that reflects his enduring gratitude for the invaluable experiences and lessons he gained during his time here.”

Faulconer was married to Diane Ramy Faulconer, a graduate of New Britain General Hospital School of Nursing, Central Connecticut State College. She went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science in health sciences and Master of Science in management, both from Florida International University. She is a Certified Nurse Administrator (CNA) and a Certified Operating Room Nurse (CNOR).

Ramy Faulconer has served at renowned health care facilities including Mount Sinai Hospital Center of Greater Miami and Boca Raton Community Hospital as well as a Senior Executive Consultant at Ernst and Young.

Ramy Faulconer has traveled extensively throughout third world countries, as well as many other areas of the world, and has been honored at both her alma mater, Florida International University and Marshall University for her dedicated philanthropy to the support of students through scholarships not only in health care but in engineering and business in honor of her husband.

Ramy Faulconer currently serves on the Marshall Foundation’s Board of Directors, and in 2016 received the Marshall University College of Health Professions’ Award of Distinction as part of the Marshall University Alumni Association’s annual Alumni Awards Banquet.

“We are grateful to honor Lee’s and Diane’s rich history of giving toward Marshall University and for Diane’s incredible generosity toward this scholarship and recognition of the Department of Accountancy and Legal Environment,” said Ron Area, CEO of the Marshall University Foundation. “We are profoundly indebted to Diane for her remarkable philanthropic efforts toward our university.

The Prentiss Lee Faulconer Jr. Endowed Scholarship for Accountancy and Legal Environment will be made available to junior and senior undergraduate students, as well as graduate students.

In addition to this scholarship, Ramy Faulconer previously funded annual scholarship in her husband’s memory in the Lewis College of Business and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business who are majoring in finance and accounting, the College of Health Professions for students majoring in nursing and the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences.

For information regarding the Prentiss Lee Faulconer Jr. Endowed Scholarship for Accountancy and Legal Environment, please contact Dean’s Office in the College of Business at 304-696-4654.

July 25, 2024

Marshall University has announced a pledge of $1 million from alumnus Allen Hager in support of the Marshall For All program.

“I am delighted to receive such a generous financial commitment from Mr. Hager in support of Marshall For All,” said Marshall’s President Brad D. Smith. “Beyond the incredible financial support, Allen is a role model and invaluable thought partner for me and the campus community. As an alum, he has seen the transformational power of Marshall firsthand – and he uniquely understands and appreciates what his contribution means to the next generation of Marshall students.”

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.

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 first 100 Marshall For All students have proven that by Marshall removing a financial barrier and providing wrap-around support services, the university’s students of greatest need are showing higher grade point averages and are being retained in college at rates higher than their peers who are not in the program,” said Ginny Painter, Marshall’s chief of staff. “Ultimately, this means higher graduation rates, improved economic prospects for individuals, and economic benefits for the region through a better-educated workforce.”

Hager graduated from Marshall with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs in 1980. He then received an MBA in 1984 from Tulane University, and was later part of the executive development program of the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School for Management at Northwestern University.

In 1995, Hager founded Right at Home in Omaha, Nebraska, after spending nearly a decade in hospital administration in both West Virginia and Nebraska. Right at Home offers specially trained care-staff who assists seniors and adults with disabilities to improve their quality of life right in their own homes. Today, Right at Home has grown to more than 600 locations across the U.S. and internationally.

Hager was a founding member of the Home Care Association of America and served as its legislative chair and board member for eight years.

In addition to the $1 million pledge toward the Marshall For All program, Hager also gave $25,000 in 2017 toward the Brian Angle Leadership Award Endowment.

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

July 12, 2024

The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the Thomas B. Wright III Scholarship to benefit students in the Lewis College of Business and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business. This scholarship is generously endowed by Thomas B. Wright III.

After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in management and economics from Marshall, Wright went on to earn a Master of Science degree in administration from Central Michigan University.

Following his education, Wright joined Hallmark where he served in roles as director of corporate staffing, director of HR in a seven-plant manufacturing division, director of corporate diversity, manager of college relations, and manager of affirmative action planning. He was recruited in 1996 to join Thorn Americas as vice president of field human resources.

In 1999, Wright was recruited back to Hallmark Cards as the director of HR – corporate divisions and served in that capacity until his promotion to senior vice president and corporate officer of human resources. As the senior vice president and corporate officer of human resources, he held responsibility for human resources in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico.

Following a career leading his own firm, Tom Wright Consulting, Wright was recruited to join EPR Properties where he performed the role of senior vice president of human resources and administration and then transitioned to an executive advisory role in the company for the CEO before his first stab at retirement.

In November of 2020, Wright was asked to serve as the interim senior vice president – chief human resources officer for Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City, eventually becoming executive vice president – chief human resources officer and executive director of the Leadership Center within the Berry Institute.

He is an alumnus of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Kansas City Tomorrow Leadership Program. He has been recognized as one of Kansas City’s 100 Most Influential African Americans, was named Outstanding Black Alumni at Marshall University, and was recently inducted into the Hall of Distinction of Marshall University’s Society for Human Resource Management chapter. He was inducted into the Lewis College of Business Hall of Fame in 2023.

Wright is the proud father of three sons, Thomas IV, Jonathan and Bryan, and a grandfather to three. Wright recently celebrated his fourth wedding anniversary to his wife, Joanne, a nationally recognized master sculptor with Hallmark Cards for 41 years prior to her retirement.

The scholarship recipient will be a full-time student in the College of Business who is a West Virginia resident, in good academic standing with a 2.5 GPA or higher, and has need per the standards of the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

The award will be renewable for up to four years, or eight semesters. The dean of the College of Business, or their designee, will select the recipient and renew the award in cooperation with the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

For information regarding the Thomas B. Wright III Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.

June 13, 2024

Marshall University has announced a gift of $2 million from alumnus and current Board of Governors member Jim Smith and his wife Pam Kushmerick to support the second co-hort of Marshall For All students for the fall of 2024.

Smith and Kushmerick donated $2 million in March of 2023 to help fund the inaugural co-hort of Marshall For All students in the fall of 2023.

The gift was announced during Marshall’s Board of Governors meeting on June 12. President Brad D. Smith said gifts such as these are essential to the success of Marshall For All.

“Jim and Pam are changing lives and writing history with their incredible gifts to our institution,” Smith said. “They are helping the next generation create their own Marshall moments.”

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 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.

Jim Smith is the former president and CEO of information and media giant Thomson Reuters. He is a 1981 graduate of Marshall, which he attended on a football scholarship. Smith has been inducted into Marshall’s College of Business Hall of Fame and was awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters by the university.

Smith spent more than three decades with the Thomson organization, starting in a newsroom and ending as president and CEO from 2012-20. Today he chairs the Thomson Reuters Foundation, a London-based charity focused on media freedom, the rule of law and access to justice.

He was appointed to the Marshall University Board of Governors by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice in 2022. He also serves on the Board of Directors at Pfizer in New York and is a trustee of the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.

In addition to the $4 million Smith and Kushmerick have given toward the Marshall For All program, they also donated $150,000 in 2019 toward scholarships, the John Deaver Drinko Academy, and the Marshall Collegiate Recovery Program, and have given generously to the Big Green Scholarship Foundation.

“Jim and Pam’s generosity marks a pivotal moment for Marshall,” said Dr. Ron Area, CEO of the Marshall University Foundation. “Their gifts will revolutionize our university. We’re deeply grateful for their vision and commitment to making Marshall a better place for everyone.”

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

June 11, 2024

The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the D. Shawn Wheeler Aviation Scholarship. This scholarship is generously endowed by the family of D. Shawn Wheeler in his memory.

Wheeler was born in Charleston, West Virginia, in 1964, to C. David Wheeler and Karen S. Wheeler. He graduated from Charleston High School and West Virginia State University with a degree in accounting. He then attended West Virginia University College of Law.

At an early age, Wheeler fell in love with aviation and started working at Eagle Aviation at West Virginia International Yeager Airport at the age of 14 in 1979. He obtained his private pilot’s license, became instrument rated and earned his twin-engine license. He loved flying his Beechcraft Baron G58 and treasured his airport community, including his pilot friends Jarrell Ryan and Colonel Bill Peters. This scholarship was established to honor him and his love of aviation.

The scholarship recipient will be a full-time student in the Bill Noe Flight School who is a West Virginia resident with a 3.0 GPA or higher and has financial need per the standards of the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

The award will be renewable for up to four years, or eight semesters. The director of the Division of Aviation, or their designee, will select the recipient and renew the award in cooperation with the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

For information regarding the D. Shawn Wheeler Aviation Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.

May 7, 2024

Marshall University has announced the success of its Day of Giving: 1837 Minutes for Marshall with $176,660.47 raised in support of various university initiatives.

Marshall’s Day of Giving, which occurred April 24-25, serves as an opportunity for the Marshall family to unite and make a difference for the university’s students and the future of the institution. This year, Day of Giving spotlighted “1837 Minutes for Marshall,” which was a nod to the university’s founding year. Over the course of 30 hours, faculty, staff alumni and supporters were encouraged to participate and contribute.

“We are grateful to everyone who participated in this year’s Day of Giving,” said Dr. Ron Area, CEO of the Marshall University Foundation. “The outpouring of support from our donors, alumni and community demonstrates what we can achieve when we come together for a common cause.”

Day of Giving supporters donated to specific projects, scholarships, departments or other areas of need identified by the university. The day featured challenges, matched gifts, incentives and events to increase participation and impact. The Marshall University Alumni Association’s Raleigh-Durham Chapter hosted a special Spanish-themed concert “Te Quiero Verde,” or “I Love You, Green” as part of the day on April 25.

Many individuals signed up to be official Day of Giving ambassadors. Ambassadors encouraged others to give by sharing their personal experiences with Marshall and their own giving stories. These gifts were made through the ambassadors’ individual links, which were then recorded on the leaderboard on the Day of Giving webpage on Marshall’s website. Megan Barbour brought in the most gifts at 74, followed closely by Cara Bailey at 67. Barbour is president of the Marshall University Alumni Greater Annapolis Area Chapter and Bailey is the assistant dean of Marshall’s Honors College and director of the Society of Yeager Scholars.

The total number of gifts made during Day of Giving was 542 with a total number of donors at 420. Out of the gifts made, 346 of them were $50 or less. Areas of interest that received the most gifts include the Society of Yeager Scholars, Office of Financial Aid, the university’s greatest needs, the Alumni Association, and the College of Arts and Media.

Also occurring through the month of April was the university’s Family Campaign, which encourages faculty and staff to sign up for payroll deductions, offering them the ability to make an impact with automated contributions. For the faculty and staff who enrolled during the month of April, their gifts counted toward the overall Day of Giving total. The Family Campaign has received 3,299 gifts from 290 faculty and staff who have donated to the annual fund this fiscal year, and there are currently 201 Marshall employees with payroll deductions.

For more information about leaving a lasting impression through giving, contact the Marshall University Foundation at 304-696-6264 or visit www.formarshallu.org.

May 6, 2024

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.

April 30, 2024

The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the Pheister Family Scholarship for Media Excellence. This scholarship is generously provided by Jason Pheister and his wife, Erin Tunis Pheister. Jason Pheister is a 2001 graduate of Marshall University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and broadcasting. He was one of four individuals inducted into the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications Hall of Fame this spring.

“I’m originally from Columbus but spent almost eight years in West Virginia between Marshall and working at local TV stations. The state holds a special place in my heart forever which is why it was so important that we pay it forward,” Pheister said.

As a multi-time Emmy award-winning journalist, he worked for several media companies, including WSAZ, WOWK, WCMH, WBNS, as well as The Columbus Dispatch. He also has led television and digital networks for Time Warner Cable across the country. He is the vice president of content and news at Spectrum Networks for Charter Communications. In addition to his bachelor’s degree, he has a Master of Business Administration from Ohio University and a Master of Science in Innovation from Northeastern University.

Jason Pheister began learning about journalism in high school as he was involved with his school’s newspaper as well as its TV program. As a junior and senior, he had the opportunity to come to Marshall for high school journalism competitions. The professors, such as Dr. George Arnold, Dr. Charles G. Bailey and Dr. Ralph Turner, took a great interest in him, he said, and the overall experience is what led him to Huntington to attend Marshall for his bachelor’s degree.

“My time at Marshall and in Huntington had a profound impact on my life and career and we wanted to find a way to help others have that same experience,” Pheister said.

The scholarship recipient shall be at least a sophomore journalism major in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications who is in good academic standing with a 3.0 GPA and has financial need per the standards of the Office of Student Financial Assistance. First preference to a student from Columbus, Ohio. Second preference to a student from Ohio and third preference to a student from West Virginia.

“It’s our intent that the scholarship be awarded to an innovative and aspiring student pursuing a career in journalism and media. We truly hope this can help someone,” Pheister said.

April 16, 2024

Student scholarship recipients were honored Saturday at Marshall University during the 2024 Scholarship Honor Brunch, hosted by the Marshall University Foundation. This annual event recognizes those students who are beneficiaries of privately funded scholarships, as well as the donors and families who made the awards possible.

Dr. Ron Area, CEO and senior vice president of development of the Marshall Foundation, delivered a special welcome to more than 400 students and donors who attended the event in the Don Morris Room of the Memorial Student Center.

“The Scholarship Honor Brunch unites scholarship recipients and donors, underscoring our dedication to enhancing ongoing support for Marshall University and its students,” Area said. “We are steadfast in our mission to broaden educational access for our students and deeply grateful for the generosity of our donors, who invest in Marshall through their contributions and active participation in today’s event.”

Bonnie Bailey, director of Student Support Services Program, served as the featured speaker. The program, which is federally funded, targets students who are first-generation, the first in their family to complete a four-year degree, and income-eligible.

Senior Amelya Bostic from Grundy, Virginia, served as the student speaker. A communication disorders major slated to graduate at the end of April. Bostic spoke about the positive impact Student Support Services has had on her throughout her time at Marshall.

“As an out-of-state student, financially college could have been hard for me but with SSS I was able to navigate class and financial aid to graduate early and with very low debt,” Bostic said.

“Through the community I found, I was able to gain the confidence to try new things and find a place where I belong,” she continued. “In addition to this community, SSS has connected me to every department or important person I have needed on my journey here at Marshall from financial aid, housing, academics and community. My time here could have been more difficult without the tools and people SSS knew I needed.”

Bailey began working as a counselor with the Student Support Services Program in July 2005. Before becoming the director and counselor for the SSS Program, she worked as a residential, outpatient and school-based therapist. As a daughter of Marshall, Bailey earned a bachelor’s degree in counseling, a master’s degree in mental health counseling, and an Ed.S. in counseling curriculum. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and approved licensed professional supervisor (ALPS) for West Virginia.

Bailey’s program boasts a more than 96 percent persistence, a 98 percent academic good standing rate, and a 76 percent graduation rate, which shows that early intervention, consistent support and relationships truly can and do make all the difference.

“Our program has helped students since 1971. As a first-generation and former student in the program to a staff member since 2005, I can tell you services look different now because the world is quickly moving and changing,” Bailey said. “However, one thing about our services has remained the same – relationships. While these relationships produce great retention and graduation rates, students also grow and achieve their goals. For me, my favorite part of the job is the student-facing responsibilities that promotes the success of our students.”

The College of Arts and Media’s School of Theatre and Dance, along with the School of Music, ended the program with a performance from the musical “Godspell.”

To learn how to establish a scholarship to help students at Marshall, contact Krystle Davis at the Marshall University Foundation by phone at 304-696-6781 or by email at krystle.davis@marshall.edu.