Dear Marshall Community:
As the oldest public institution of higher education in West Virginia, Marshall University has a long and distinguished history. Since Marshall was founded in 1837, however, there has been perhaps no greater milestone than the earning of university status.
Fifty years ago, on March 2, 1961, to the joyous cheers of students, faculty, staff and members of the community in the brand new Gullickson Hall, Governor W.W. Barron signed into law the bill granting university status to Marshall College.
It was a tremendous day for West Virginia and the entire Marshall family. I have to believe that Governor Barron, as he put pen to paper, must have envisioned a vast array of possibilities for Marshall University, its potential for growth, and the enormous promise our beloved institution held for the great State of West Virginia.
Historical accounts tell us it took great maneuvering and political debate for our institution of higher learning to become a university. The change did not manifest from a simple petition or a common declaration. It was the culmination of a lengthy struggle led by one of my predecessors, President Stewart Smith, along with colleagues, friends of Marshall, legislators and other supporters.
It was indeed a defining moment in the history of Marshall University.
Today, I am proud to say that Marshall University is fulfilling the dreams of those who foresaw the institution’s extraordinary potential and had the courage to pursue it.
Our university boasts record student enrollment, a flourishing research enterprise, and the growth of new, high-demand degree programs, like physical therapy, pharmacy and health informatics. The school’s nationally ranked school of medicine and forensic science program, as well as its growing engineering school and the new school of pharmacy are among the many reasons more students than ever are choosing Marshall University to find their passions and pursue their dreams.
Our progress could not have been achieved without the steadfast support of our state’s legislative and executive leaders—both past and present. They embraced a vision for what Marshall University could be in service to the people of West Virginia and our nation and then placed their trust in us to make that vision manifest. We greatly appreciate their tireless support.
We also are thankful to each of you for your continuing support of Marshall University. We remain committed to honoring the legacy of our namesake and advancing the capacity of our university to serve our state and nation with distinction for generations to come.
We Are… Marshall!
Sincerely,
Stephen J. Kopp, Ph.D.
President
Marshall University
