D.C. visit a success, Angel says

Marshall President Dan Angel blew into Washington, D.C., and then out again.

"It was a whirlwind trip," Angel said.

The two-day visit featured a reception for Marshall alumni Wednesday and an address for West Virginia's two senators, three representatives and their staff Thursday.

Wednesday's reception was at the Freedom Forum, and had a turnout of about 80 people.

Two Marshall alumni, Pam Galloway and Nate Ruffin, who are vice presidents of the Freedom Forum, were instrumental in organizing the event, Angel said.

Thursday's speech marked the only time a Marshall president has given an address in Washington.

Nearly 80 people were on hand at the Mansfield Room of the U.S. Capitol for Angel's one-hour presentation.

The speech was similar to the State of the University address given on campus Sept. 5, but did have a few changes.

"We focused more on the contributions of those in D.C.," Angel said.

"Our delegation has done a wonderful job for us over the years and we wanted to thank them."

The address also gave Marshall's staff the opportunity to get to know the congressional staff.

"It was nice to see the congressional staff mingle with our staff," Angel said. "The only way they usually communicate is by phone."

The five delegates were West Virginia's two senators Robert C. Byrd and John D. Rockefeller and its three representatives Alan Mollohan, Robert E. Wise Jr. and Nick Rahall II.

The event concluded with the presentation of Marshall neckties to the delegates.

"We ended the meeting with flair. We told them [the delegates] we would give them the shirts off our backs, but it wouldn't be appropriate," Angel said.

"Instead we took off our ties and gave them each a Marshall tie."

And there was a surprise in store for Marshall. A $10,000 check was presented to the Erma Byrd Scholars Program by the Mortgage Insurance Companies of America.

Angel was pleased with the outcome of his trip.

"It was a home run," Angel said.