Category: Foundation News

The Marshall University Foundation, Inc. has announced the establishment of the Terry W. and Sandra J. Fenger Forensic Science Scholarship in honor of the longtime Director of the Forensic Science Center and one of the founders of the Forensic Science program at Marshall University.

The scholarship was endowed by Michael J. and Tamela J. Farrell, attorneys at the Huntington, West Virginia, firm Farrell, White & Legg. Michael also served as interim president of Marshall University in 2005 following the resignation of Dan Angel. Highly respected members of the community, Michael and Tamela have a long history of giving back to Marshall.

“First and foremost, Terry and Sandy Fenger deserve the recognition for their service in founding and growing the Forensic Science Graduate Program into one of the top-rated programs in the United States,” Farrell said. “Second, the scholarship monies available to forensic science students are wholly inadequate. My wife, Tammy, established the only other forensic science scholarship fund in the name of her parents, Paul and Dixie Nicely. The time is now to dramatically enhance the scholarship opportunities for the student body of the Forensic Science Center.”

The scholarship recipient will be a full-time graduate student majoring in the Forensic Science Graduate Program in the College of Science. The award will be renewable for up to two years and will include one internship stipend if the recipient maintains good academic standing with the university. For the first five years the annual award will total $1,000 for two students of the program.

After five years the award will grow based on the endowment amount.

“Forensic science is an intensive and expensive pursuit. Many of the students in the program have insufficient financial resources for the academic programs or internship to fully participate,” Farrell said. “Tammy and I felt compelled to continue the legacy of establishing scholarship funding for forensic science students by inspiring alumni and friends of the program to add to this fund and grow it to $100,000 in honor of Dr. Fenger.

“Dr. Fenger has dedicated his professional life to Marshall University. I feel he received insufficient recognition during his tenure at the program for its success and contributions to the state and nation in providing highly educated forensic scientists. This funding is a small thank you for his exemplary service.”

Dr. Fenger began as the Director of the Forensic Science Center in 1994 and has been instrumental in guiding the program to national prominence, including this past year where students of the program achieved the highest collective scores in the nation on the Forensic Science Assessment Test.

Considered one of the top forensic science programs in the nation, Dr. Fenger has been at the epicenter of the program’s success, overseeing the nationally accredited Forensic Science Master of Science Degree Program, the DNA testing laboratory and the Digital Forensics section. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Fenger served as an instructor in various courses including DNA technologies, Digital Forensics, bioterrorism, crime scene investigation and laboratory management.

Fenger retired from the program in 2017.

“Sandy and I are extremely grateful to Michael J. and Tamela J. Farrell for establishing the Terry W. and Sandra J. Fenger Forensic Science Scholarship, which will have far reaching benefits for current and future generations of forensic science graduate students at Marshall University,” Fenger said. “Through their initiative qualified graduate students will be able to enter the program with their tuition and fees diminished via scholarship support. In addition, funds can be used to help support summer internships that often take students to laboratories in other states. The quality of the program hinges on the quality of the students and the alumni who attain careers that point to the excellence as former students and practitioners of forensic sciences and related professions.”

Farrell said future donations will continue to support the Marshall forensic science program and other aspects of Marshall University.

Further information on the Forensic Science Center is available at marshall.edu/forensics.

“Terry continues to be instrumental in the lives of the forensic science students,” said Dr. Catherine Rushton, Director of the Forensic Science Program. “His leadership propelled many forensic science alumni into their careers. This scholarship will continue to provide future students with support to do great things.

“Terry’s selfless efforts built the forensic science program from nothing into something amazing. This scholarship will allow us to continue building upon the foundation he provided.”

To learn more about establishing a scholarship or to make a gift by phone, please contact the Marshall University Foundation at 304-696-6264. To make a gift online, please visit give.marshall.edu.

Like any institution of higher learning, Marshall University means a lot of things to a lot of different people.

To some, Marshall is simply a school. A place to take classes, earn a degree, and enter the workforce.

For others, Marshall represents the dream of bigger things to come. It is a place where they will learn the lessons that will help them achieve their goals and ambitions in life.

And then there are those who consider themselves a part of the university. Maybe they grew up in a household of Marshall alumni. Maybe they met friends, a spouse, and generated lifelong bonds that forever connect them to the institution. Maybe Marshall changed their lives for the better.

And then there is Lucianne Kautz-Call.

Call is a staple of the Marshall community. You can find her at Thundering Herd sporting events decked out in the latest green and white fashion or simply representing the university in her community. She is also a doer, helping organize the Fountain Ceremony each fall honoring the 75 souls who perished in the 1970 crash of Southern Airways Flight 932. She has even helped found and preside over multiple alumni chapters in the southeast.

But Call’s connection to Marshall runs much deeper than simply attending as a student and helping plan events. It runs much deeper than representing the school as a cheerleader and community leader. It even runs much deeper than meeting her husband, Rick, in the Student Union and getting married during her senior year in the spring of 1970.

In fact, Call is as much a part of the fabric of Marshall University as the leaders who guide the institution daily.

“This really is just the story of a girl who was born into a Marshall family,” Call said. “I was born in St. Mary’s Hospital, just down the street from the university, and enjoyed my childhood in Huntington, West Virginia. I am an ordinary girl, except when it comes to Marshall football.”

Indeed, Call has a special bond with Marshall thanks, in large part, to her father, Charles Kautz. Kautz was a gifted coach, educator, and athletic director at Marshall and was one of the 75 individuals who lost their life in the tragic plane crash that took the lives of many Marshall players, coaches, staff, fans and community members returning home from a football contest against East Carolina University.

Of course, Kautz was much more than just a victim in one of the worst accidents in U.S. history. And Call has dedicated her life to preserving the memory of her father and all of those lost on November 14, 1970.

“Our dad had an unmatched love for Marshall University. It was his life’s ambition to play football since starting there in the first grade at the Marshall Lab School,” Call said. “Dad was a family man, a coach, an administrator, and a person of Godly character. He never met a stranger. His passion was supporting students and athletes to strive for perfection in whatever their endeavors.”

Kautz played for the Thundering Herd under the guidance of coach Cam Henderson while earning his BA from Marshall in 1949 and his MA in 1953. He served as a marine in World War II and the Korean War before returning home and entering the world of high school and college athletics.

Kautz was a regional hero in high school football, compiling a 74-25-1 record as head football coach at Ceredo-Kenova in West Virginia and Rock Hill and Ironton high schools in Ohio, before joining the Marshall football staff in 1961. There, he recruited many great players over the years, including Larry Coyer, Mickey Jackson and Bobby Pruett.

He eventually transitioned from coaching to an administrative role as Assistant Athletic Director in 1969 before being named Athletic Director at Marshall in November of 1969. During his tenure, he guided the reconstruction of Fairfield Stadium and helped enhance the facilities in and around the various athletic programs. Kautz was posthumously inducted into the Marshall Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.

Thanks to the example set forth by her father, Call has lived a life dedicated to helping others. And also like her father, Marshall University has remained at the center of it all.

“Marshall made a difference in my life,” Call said. “So I challenge others to set on a course to become significant in the lives of everyone they meet. No matter where you roam wearing the Kelly green and white, someone will say ‘Hey, we are Marshall.’ And that means something.”

Call chose to attend Marshall in the summer of 1967 where she earned a degree in Elementary Education in 1971. During her time at the university, she spent time working in the ticket office and served alongside her sorority sisters at Sigma Sigma Sigma.

She met her husband Rick and got married in June of 1970, with her father walking her down the aisle.

After graduation, Call was hired in Cabell County as an elementary teacher and taught in several schools in the county. She also continued down the same path as her father as a coach, serving as the girls’ tennis coach at Barboursville High School and cheerleading coach at Cabell Midland High School. In the summers, she also served as a water safety and swimming instructor.

“The many teaching experiences and volunteering services prepared me with the knowledge of unleashing a student’s creativity for their journey in life,” Call said. “When I meet these students today, I so love to see their enthusiasm as they tell me about the career path they have chosen. I met one of my former students recently and he went on to explain to me that he is an Associate Professor of Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity at Marshall. That was fascinating to me because Marshall didn’t even have that curriculum to choose from in the 70s.”

In the early 2000s, Call made a shift in her life from education to travel, broadening her horizons as a flight attendant.

No matter where life took her, though, Marshall University always remained at the center of her world.

And one of the ways in which Call has remained a part of the conversation at the university is through her involvement in the Marshall Fountain Ceremony planning committee. Call, along with members of Student Government, university leaders, the Office of Alumni Relations, and many others help coordinate the ceremony each year to commemorate those lost in the plane crash.

In 2020, Call was honored by the committee as the keynote speaker for the 50th anniversary of the crash.

“I am so thankful to be able to work on this project each year. The Student Government, along with Matt James and his staff, coordinate this event every year. There are so many people responsible for this heartwarming ceremony through the years that have become close friends. We come together each year to listen to the keynote speakers’ words of how the plane crash had an enormous effect on their lives. I will always cherish these wonderful times.

“I am just so proud of the 1970 team and all of the players that have chosen Marshall through the years. All of the blood, sweat and tears that goes into this event are truly a labor of love. My speech for the 50th anniversary reflected the timespan of all the coaches, players and staff who had the courage to persevere each football season.

“No matter who the speaker is, the same theme always prevails. We came from ashes to glory, and we honor their legacy in our hearts forever.”

In addition to helping with the Fountain Ceremony each year, Call has also had an opportunity to return to campus for special events such as the premier of the Warner Brothers film, We Are Marshall in 2006.

“I worked on the committee to help bring the families together to view the production,” Call said. “Michele Prestera Craig, Kim Proctor Crabtree, Parker and Amy Ward, and Steve Chapman all helped coordinate this project. We had not seen some of these families in over 30 years. It was an amazing experience.”

Of course, with a film dedicated to the tragedy and subsequent perseverance and triumph of the football program and university as a whole, Call recalls fondly many of the scenes in the film that she personally lived through as a student and as a daughter of someone lost in the crash.

“My favorite scene in the movie is where my dad and six of the football players were laid to rest,” Call said. “You can see the university from the site. Our youngest son, Jarrod, was one of the football players in that scene. That is the motivational speech that helped start the Young Thundering Herd on its path in making Marshall become the winningest Division I college football team in the 1990s.”

Call was again honored earlier this fall as she served alongside members of the Young Thundering Herd as Grand Marshals for Marshall’s annual Homecoming parade. She shared the role alongside Allen Meadows, a team captain of the Young Thundering Herd and a four-year letterman of the program, and other members of the team.

“I was honored to share the role of Grand Marshal with Allen and other members of the team,” Call said. “Allen was the very first freshman football player recruited to play at Marshall following the crash. He, along with his 1971 teammates, were honored during the festivities and I got to hear so many great stories about their time on campus.”

Today, Call is still humbled by her role in helping bridge the gap between the tragic accident and rebirth of the program in the 1970s and the current generation of students at Marshall. And she still relishes every opportunity to tell that story and help spread the word about just what Marshall University means to her.

“I am sometimes asked, ‘How do you want to be remembered?’ Reflecting over the years of my memories on Marshall’s campus, my hope is for all students, faculty, administration and alumni to give back in some way,” Call said. “I want to see folks give their time, energy, money, and passion to instill in their hearts the real meaning of we are Marshall.”

The Marshall University Foundation has announced that John Rahal, Marshall alumnus and general partner with Edward Jones, has made a gift of $1 million to support the John F. Rahal Center for Strategic Engagement within Marshall University’s Lewis College of Business.

The John F. Rahal Center for Strategic Engagement, formerly the Center for Stakeholder Engagement, is a program designed to raise the visibility of the Lewis College of Business as well as boost student engagement and professional development.

“I believe, as alumni, we have a responsibility to each other to make sure that our business school is one of the best in the country,” Rahal said. “In the financial services industry, I have had a career for which Marshall University truly prepared me. Alongside other generous individuals, it is our goal to continue to make Marshall’s business school a national business school of prominence to prepare students for the future.”

The center aims to drive demand for undergraduate and graduate business students by connecting faculty, students, alumni and corporate partners through strategic projects. The center also strives to keep stakeholders informed of the college’s latest initiatives and developing internships that connect Marshall’s corporate partners with students and graduates.

In addition to these unique programs, students in the Brad D. Smith Schools of Business will have the opportunity to enhance their classroom experience through professional development experiences such as the Ron and Sandy Cohen Business Professionalism Speaker Series and the Dean’s Distinguished Speaker Series.

“We are extremely grateful to John F. Rahal, not only for his generosity but also for his ongoing support of the Lewis College of Business and this investment in our future,” said Dr. Avi Mukherjee, interim provost at Marshall and former dean of the College of Business. “This is truly a transformative gift that will help raise the visibility of the college and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business as it fulfills its mission to be the major contributor to the region’s economic development.”

The center is named in honor of John F. Rahal, who is a principal with the financial-services firm Edward Jones, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Rahal, a native of Huntington, West Virginia, is a 1991 graduate of Marshall University, earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He also holds an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Rahal joined Edward Jones as a financial advisor in 1997. In 2000 he became a limited partner with the company and was named a general principal in 2007. He served on the firm’s management committee from 2012 through 2017.

Today, Rahal is responsible for Edward Jones’ transformation. In that capacity, he is responsible for anticipating and identifying roles, capabilities, and strategies to enable the firm to transform towards its vision of improving the lives of clients, their families and their communities. Edward Jones is one of the largest financial services firms in North America with nearly 19,000 financial advisors.

“For the state of West Virginia, Marshall is critically important,” Rahal said. “I never thought that I would be on the senior management team of a Fortune 500 company, I want business school students at Marshall to recognize their potential and set their ambition high.  I attribute much of my success to the skill set and the hard work that I learned from the business school professors at Marshall.”

Rahal also remains an active member of the Marshall University community, contributing to the growth and success of the Lewis College of Business, as well as supporting  Thundering Herd athletic programs and other initiatives at the university.

He established the Rahal Family Education Fund in 2016 to support the College of Business and its most pressing needs.

“I love West Virginia and I know that there are needs in the state that can be solved through the Brad D. Smith Schools of Business and the Lewis College of Business,” Rahal said. “I want the state of West Virginia to succeed. I want the Tri-State to succeed. My contribution is part of a larger dedication of alumni, making contributions to ensure that the students in West Virginia, eastern Kentucky and southeastern Ohio know what’s possible.”

It is a community unlike any other and a location that looks like something straight out of an award-winning piece of artwork.

The hills. The valleys. The ponds. The castle-like architecture. The perfectly manicured flowers and trees. The peace and tranquility. It is a place that individuals have chosen to call home for over 25 years, and it is a place near-and-dear to the hearts of many in the Marshall University family.

Of course, we are talking about Woodlands Retirement Community.

Nestled atop a picturesque hilltop, surrounded by 171 acres of beautiful, sprawling landscape in the heart of Huntington, West Virginia, Woodlands is a premier Continuing Care Retirement Community for individuals 55 and over. Woodlands has the distinction of being the region’s only LifeCare Community, and it is a community that encourages wellness through an active, independent lifestyle.

To many, however, it is simply known as home.

“Of course, we could talk about the beautiful hilltop setting and the spectacular views, but that is not what makes Woodlands truly special. What makes Woodlands special are the people, the sense of community, and the connection to Huntington and the Tri-State area,” said Juliette Buffington Tomlin, Marketing Director at Woodlands. “What makes the location so great is Huntington itself. This is truly home, and you can feel that. A lot of the residents were fortunate enough to stay close to home and close to old friends, while making new friends and providing them and their families a peace of mind.

“At Woodlands, we encourage wellness and active living. We are a 55+ community that offers something for everyone. There are many amenities and activities that are social, physical, educational, and spiritual based. That is the value that we offer, on top of having a beautiful surrounding.”

The history of Woodlands is one of both determination and compassion to create a caring and safe home for elderly residents of the Huntington area.

In 1922, Bradley W. Foster established the Foster Foundation with a generous financial gift aimed at providing a home for care of the elderly. In 1925, the mission was realized when the Foster Memorial Home opened on Madison Avenue in Huntington. “The Home” became a Huntington fixture for next 75 years.

In 1985, Rev. Gray Hampton, a member of the Foster Foundation Board, introduced board members to the continuing care retirement community (CCRC) concept. Under his leadership, the board developed a plan to broaden the scope of the aging Foster Memorial Home into a CCRC in Huntington, West Virginia. Starting in 1988 and over the course of a decade, Chairman William F. “Bill” Agee and the board turned that vision into reality.

On August 19, 1996, Woodlands opened with 111 apartments at almost 100 percent occupancy. Over the next few years, 61 additional apartments and 23 cottages were built by those who wanted to preserve their residential independence. In 2004, the Assisted Living/Health Care wing of Woodlands was expanded with the substantial involvement of Mrs. Joan C. Edwards and the West Virginia Episcopal Diocese, raising the capacity to 88 units.

“When I moved back to Huntington seven years ago and had the blessing of going to work at Woodlands, my mom and so many of her friends lived here. So it not only feels like family, for many of us, it is family,” Tomlin said. “That dedication helps us provide the highest level of residential senior services for individuals from a variety of backgrounds.

“I love what I do. Our staff, some of which have been here for all 25 years, embodies this mission through their passion and desire to serve our residents so they may enjoy life to the fullest.”

Through that unique connection to Huntington and the greater Tri-State area, Woodlands has earned the distinct reputation as a popular retirement community for alumni and former faculty and staff of Huntington’s very own Marshall University.

And because of that, many of the residents remain forever involved in the happenings of Huntington and Marshall.

“Because of that active community, our residents are able to remain supportive of our local community,” Tomlin said. “Not only through Marshall, but so many of our people are involved in the Artists Series, the symphony, the art galleries. In essence, we have been blessed that Woodlands is right here available to the residents of the area. It means that the people of this region don’t have to move away to where their children live. Because of Woodlands they can stay right here in Huntington. As I have seen, more and more former Huntingtonians are moving back to Huntington to retire.”

Of course, with any mention of Huntington comes a direct correlation to Marshall University.

And one of the key ways in which the residents of Woodlands stay connected to the local university is through Marshall Monday, a unique program presented by the Marshall University Foundation, Inc. and the Marshall University Alumni Association. Marshall Monday brings the university and its programs, faculty, and students to the residents and provides updates and opportunities for residents to remain connected to the university.

“Woodlands’ continued relationship with Marshall University includes much excitement from residents as they are provided the opportunity to participate in activities such as Marshall Monday, Marshall Music, and even a Spirit Week in honor of Marshall’s homecoming,” said Molly Watson, Director of Activities at Woodlands. “These types of activities keep residents connected and gives them a sense of being back in college while supporting their favorite university.”

Marshall Monday, in particular, has been a very popular part of the Woodlands schedule. Taking place on the first Monday of every month, the program brings different speakers to Woodlands to talk about current issues, exciting changes, and general updates from different areas of campus. The residents also have an opportunity to return to campus for special events, such as Homecoming and sporting events.

“Many Woodlands’ residents have had a direct affiliation with Marshall for many years. Many residents are alumni, parents of children or grandchildren who are Marshall graduates and even many are former employees or faculty,” said Jane Fotos, MU Professor Emeritus and Woodlands resident. “These folks look forward to hearing what is new at Marshall, what is being planned for the future, and meeting and being updated by some of the Marshall faculty and leadership who are involved in various programs.

“Of course, Marshall athletic events are always a favorite, especially ones televised on our big screen. These televised events always draw a big crowd who loudly cheer for the Herd while others climb on the Woodlands bus and head for the Marshall campus. We love Marshall and look forward to each Marshall Monday.”

Beginning in 2021, Woodlands will be expanding its partnership with Marshall University through a unique collaboration with the Marshall University Alumni Association. This partnership will see the retirement community partner on key events on the alumni calendar, including being prominently featured during Homecoming, as well as Woodlands residents being showcased in alumni publications throughout the year. It is just another way in which Woodlands and Marshall University continue to have a direct relationship in offering quality care for 55+ residents, many of whom consider themselves proud sons and daughters of Marshall.

“Retirement in a university town is attractive to so many around the country because of the rich educational, cultural and sports opportunity. It is no different for Woodlands and Marshall,” said Aubrey King, a Marshall alumnus and resident of Woodlands. “Marshall Music brings outstanding faculty and student performers each month. Marshall Monday features President (Jerry) Gilbert and other university leaders explaining new initiatives and priorities. The Marshall Emeritus Club holds its meetings at the Woodlands. The executive director of the Marshall Alumni Association is always in attendance at these events to answer questions and provide support. As for sports, Marshall has no more passionate supporters than the good folks at the Woodlands.

“With this history, Marshall and Woodlands are looking forward with great anticipation to this new partnership. We expect our connections to grow even more to the benefit of both sides.”

The Encova Foundation of West Virginia has made a $1.8 million gift for the auditorium in Marshall University’s new Lewis College of Business building, home of the Brad D. Smith Schools of Business.

The new facility, which will be constructed on the 1400 block of Fourth Avenue, will feature a 360-seat, state-of-the-art auditorium that will be named the Encova Auditorium. Currently under design, the new facility is expected to be complete by the fall of 2023.   Classes are projected to begin in January 2024.

“The Lewis College of Business is sincerely thankful for the generous donation of the Encova Foundation of West Virginia. Their commitment to the new Lewis College of Business facility, the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation, will benefit all Marshall students for generations to come. This state-of-the-art facility will be utilized by our students and be an ideal venue for our speaker series, lectures and classes, business meetings, conferences, film screenings and workshops. We are honored to bestow the Encova name on this auditorium,” said Dr. Avinandan Mukherjee, dean of the Lewis College of Business.

The university expects that the new facility, measuring 77,000 gross square feet, will house a new distinctive business school focused on empowering students to achieve their professional and entrepreneurial dreams, while making a positive impact on the local and regional economy.

“Encova Insurance is dedicated to supporting higher education and community partnerships,” said TJ Obrokta, president and CEO of Encova Insurance. The Encova Auditorium in Marshall University’s new Lewis College of Business building will allow future business leaders to be trained by outstanding professionals. It will also provide the opportunity to transform the Huntington and Tri-State communities by hosting speakers who will inspire entrepreneurs and business leaders of all ages.”

Marshall University President Dr. Jerome A. Gilbert said Encova’s commitment to higher education in West Virginia is outstanding.

“We are very appreciative of Encova’s partnership with Marshall University,” Gilbert said. “They share our vision that an educated workforce leads to a thriving West Virginia. By working together, public and private alliances can become cornerstones of success for the Mountain State.”

Encova Insurance, formerly BrickStreet Insurance, has generously supported Marshall University for more than 15 years through providing scholarships, supporting athletics and assisting several academic areas. Encova Insurance is recognized as one of the top five corporate donors at Marshall University.

Marshall alumnus Donald McCloud has established the McCloud Family Scholarship for the university. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from Marshall University in 1975. Dr. Beth McCloud, Donald McCloud’s daughter, received both her Bachelor of Science in biochemistry in 2004 and Doctor of Medicine in 2008 from the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

“Marshall University has had an enormous impact on me and members of my family,” Donald McCloud, who had a successful career in the coal mining industry in West Virginia. “My father, myself and my daughter are all graduates of Marshall University. My father was a student-athlete and inducted into the Marshall University Hall of Fame in basketball and my daughter is a pediatric physician at a major pediatric hospital.

“Marshall University provided us with the experiences and education to find our place in this world, and to observe it with a greater understanding in all its aspects. Growing up by my dad’s side, I observed the ways that set my father apart from his peers who chose not to participate in higher education. Watching my daughter throughout her several years at Marshall, I saw her develop intellectually, analytically and socially, with a growing understanding of her value and contribution to society. I want to help others experience the same growth and opportunities as my family and I have enjoyed and to understand and value the contributions they can make to society.”

The McCloud Family Scholarship supports full-time undergraduate students who are residents of West Virginia. Students must be in good academic standing with a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate need per the standards of Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance. First preference is given to a chemistry major from Logan High School in Logan County, West Virginia. Second preference to a physics, engineering or biology major from Logan High School; if none, then from Logan County, West Virginia. Third preference is to a chemistry major from any other county in West Virginia, but preferably the southern counties of Boone, Fayette, Greenbrier, Lincoln, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming. The award is renewable for up to four years if the student remains in good academic standing and continues to demonstrate financial need.

Choosing to support students in science, the McCloud family believes the study of sciences develops critical thinking that is represented in every career and in everyday life. The family encourages students to follow their heart and find a career that they are passionate about.

“Far too many rush into decisions and are unduly influenced by others. Be open to all that you can learn, thus creating a larger world for yourself in which to live, work and observe. A university education not only opens many career paths and opportunities, but provides a much richer life, one of enhanced knowledge, understanding and enjoyment.”

For information on the McCloud Family Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.

Marshall University’s Southern Coalfields alumni chapter has made an impact on Marshall for several years. This past year, they were recognized for their lifetime giving and welcomed into the Marshall University Foundation’s President’s Circle, which recognizes those who have given $100,000 to $249,999 to help the university rise.

“We are always excited when a group of alumni come together to keep their love of Marshall alive,” said Dr. Ron Area, chief executive officer of the Marshall University Foundation. “When they rise to set an example of giving back at this level, we are truly moved by their encouragement and support for our students.”

One of the chapter’s main areas of support is through their scholarship, the Southern Coalfields Scholarship Fund, which supports full-time, undergraduate, incoming freshmen who are residents of Raleigh, Summers, Fayette or Wyoming counties in West Virginia and demonstrate financial need per Marshall’s Office of Student Financial Assistance.

In 2020, the chapter committed to raising another $25,000 over the next five years so that the scholarship can provide additional support to students.

Tim Cyrus, vice president of the Southern Coalfields chapter, said his degree from Marshall opened many opportunities for him and his family.

“Helping Marshall rise is helping my friends and neighbors, along with my state, rise up to become more than we currently are. Giving back to the university and the future Marshall graduates through fundraising and scholarships is very important as we move into the future,” Cyrus said.

Many chapter members are inspired to give because they see the direct impact Marshall has on southern West Virginia, as well as the entire state.

“Marshall is an integral part of the glue that holds this state together. I am very proud of the fact that U.S. News & World Report ranked Marshall in the top tier of our nation’s universities two years in a row. The growth in our business and engineering programs is so impressive. The School of Medicine and College of Health Professions continue to grow, expand and support our state in all disciplines of medicine, providing everything from rural health care providers to athletic trainers for West Virginia and beyond,” said chapter member Becky Cyrus. “There are so very many exciting things happening at Marshall right now with the new aviation degree, pharmacy school expansion and sports programs. How could you not be excited to support these things?”

The Southern Coalfields alumni chapter has two upcoming events to raise funds for their scholarship. “Thunder in the Alley” will be held on Sunday, April 25, at Pinheads Bowling Center in Oak Hill, West Virginia, from 1 to 6 p.m. The chapter’s 31st annual Big Green golf outing, “Golf for Jane Ann,” will be held Monday, May 24, at Grandview Country Club in Beaver, West Virginia. Registration will be open from 10  to 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon.

“It is rewarding to help Marshall rise and see the vast opportunities available to students. As Marshall rises, so do the opportunities, which will help keep our students in state,” said club secretary Amanda Ashley.

For information on joining the Southern Coalfields alumni chapter or any of their events, please visit their Facebook page @ Marshall University Southern Coalfields Alumni and Big Green Club, or contact chapter president Doug Leeber at 304-266-8766.

Marshall University alumna Jennifer Bailey recently established the Harry and Barbara Raczok Scholarship to honor her late parents.

Harry Raczok graduated from Marshall in 1964 with degrees in biology and health and physical education. He also completed his master’s at Marshall and was pursuing a Ph.D. in plant physiology at the University of Maryland in the 1960s. After circumstances required him to abandon that pursuit, he joined the faculty of Marshall as an associate professor of biology.

Barbara Raczock enrolled at Marshall and caught Harry’s eye. The couple married in the Campus Christian Center on June 30, 1974. At that time, Barbara decided to focus on her role as a wife and mother. Eleven years later, she returned to Marshall and completed the remaining three years of her degree in just one and a half years, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in education in 1987. She returned in 2004 to complete a Master of Arts in reading education.

Harry Raczock resigned from Marshall’s biology department in 1978 and began his career as a public-school biology and life science teacher. His career ended at Buffalo High School in Putnam County, West Virginia. Barbara Raczock taught at Kellogg in Huntington, then for a few years at Byrd Elementary in Graniteville, South Carolina, and then returned to West Virginia and taught at Buffalo Elementary School.

“My parents both truly believed in education, whether ‘traditional’ higher education, career and technical education, or pursuit of certifications, as the best path for students to reach their full potential. My mom always had a passion for kids. She just absolutely loved them. She took tremendous joy in nurturing them and helping them learn, and her heart broke for the kids who struggled,” said Bailey, who graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in flute performance in 1996.

“Because of the role Marshall played in our lives, establishing a scholarship in their names felt like the best, most natural way to perpetuate not only their memories, but also enable a new generation to write their own Marshall stories.”

The Harry and Barbara Raczok Scholarship is a renewable award that assists full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate students who demonstrate need per the standards of the Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance. First preference is to West Virginia residents who are studying in Marshall University’s College of Education and Professional Development, with second preference to any student in the College of Education and Professional Development.

For today’s students, Jennifer said her parents would encourage them to demonstrate their enthusiasm and how that was of greater importance than the success of specific content knowledge.

“I believe my parents would emphasize the importance of caring for and building relationships with students, while having a sense of humor and being genuinely enthusiastic about the content to be taught.”

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

Harvey J. and Kimberly Austin recently established the Harvey J. and Kimberly Austin Family Scholarship, which supports graphic design or video production students in Marshall University’s College of Arts and Media.

Harvey Austin graduated from Marshall University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design and serves as the vice president and managing director of video and creative production for Syneos Health. Kimberly Austin graduated from Marshall University Joan C. Edward School of Medicine in 2001 and is now a physician at OhioHealth in Columbus, Ohio. Together, they have one daughter, Aja.

Harvey Austin says he learned many lessons during his time at Marshall but believes the ability to lead a team and invest in the growth and advancement of others has been most beneficial in his career.

“Art and design have always been important to me. When I was entering college, the idea of having a career in the arts was always a dream of mine,” he said. “There have been so many technical and creative advances in the industry within the last two decades. Those advances are attracting many students who never thought about studying design and production in college. I think it’s more important to encourage careers in the arts and give financial assistance to students aspiring to make the world a more creative place.”

Student recipients of the Harvey J. and Kimberly Austin Family Scholarship must be in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need, per Marshall University’s Office of Financial Assistance. First preference is given to Cabell County, West Virginia residents, with second preference to a resident of West Virginia (beyond Cabell County), Kentucky or Ohio.

“The greatest advice I was given while at Marshall was to make the most of your time in college, both from an educational and social stance. Expand the knowledge and skills you are gaining in the classroom into internships, volunteer opportunities and part time work within the creative field while still in college. Network as much as you can with professionals and peers in the industry. Focus on leaving a legacy where every person, group and organization is more productive and purposeful because of your presence and contributions,” Harvey Austin said.

For information regarding the Harvey J. and Kimberly Austin Family Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.

Through their 2020 fundraising efforts, Marshall University’s Mid-Ohio Valley Alumni Chapter made a $30,000 gift to the Marshall University Foundation.

The Mid-Ohio Valley Alumni Chapter, which serves Marshall alumni from Wood County, West Virginia, and the surrounding areas, has supported the university through scholarships and gifts to the Big Green Foundation for numerous years. Despite the pandemic, creative chapter members found ways to raise support.

Having already received funds for their annual scholarship fundraising dinner, the chapter requested that those businesses, organizations, and individuals who had contributed to the spring event allow the chapter to apply those dollars to their scholarships. Less than $1,000 of the $15,600 raised was all that was returned.

The chapter then contacted those who attended their fundraising dinner over the past three years and asked if they would like to support the scholarships again, an effort that resulted in nearly $10,000 in gifts.

In early summer, the Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter hosted an online auction of 40 Marshall-themed items, many of which were provided by the Big Green Foundation. Many other items were donated from the estate of Tom Jamison, a Marshall alumnus and lifelong supporter, by his family. This effort generated $7,000.

“We were no different than many other organizations when we were faced with the reality that our only means of fundraising was cut off. With no in-person scholarship fundraising dinner and no Big Green Rally by the River, we had to think outside the box to do what we have always done in the past–provide scholarships to Mid-Ohio Valley students who would be attending Marshall University in the fall of 2020,” said Ed Hofmann, chapter treasurer, who saw an increase of students applying for scholarships through the chapter. “We had to put a heavy emphasis on scholarships and ended up providing $1,000 scholarships to 14 students from the Mid-Ohio Valley, along with contributions to other programs.”

The chapter’s $30,000 contribution was distributed among several funds, including the Mid-Ohio Valley Alumni Thundering Bison Club Scholarship Endowment for upperclassmen, which now stands at $28,000; the Parkersburg Mid-Ohio Valley Alumni Club Scholarship for freshmen; the Mid-Ohio Valley Alumni Thundering Bison Scholarship for the College of Arts and Media; Marshall University Alumni of the Mid-Ohio Valley Thundering Bison Club School of Medicine Scholarship; the Big Green Foundation; Marshall University’s H.E.L.P. program and the Marshall University Alumni Association.

Jill Parsons, the chapter’s vice president, believes their success was possible because of community engagement.

“It was all about the relationships and engagement within the community,” she said. “The online auction started at a good time. Everyone was getting bored at home and needed to take their mind off pandemic news.”

The Mid-Ohio Valley Alumni Chapter is dedicated to the prosperity of students who wish to attend Marshall University. They were welcomed into the Marshall University Foundation’s President’s Circle in 2018. The President’s Circle recognizes individuals and organizations that have a lifetime giving ranging from $100,000 to $250,000. It is the chapter’s hope that students pay it forward to Marshall University in the future.

“I hope that students realize that people care and want to help them achieve a higher education at Marshall University,” said Laurie Martin, chapter president. “Hopefully at some point in their lives, they can pay it forward, and not necessarily in monetary terms. Paying it forward can also be accomplished by volunteering time to Marshall or by working with an alumni chapter to help raise funds for scholarships or other programs that need additional support.”

For information regarding the Mid-Ohio Valley Alumni Chapter scholarships, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.