FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Aug. 4, 2006
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications (304) 696-7153
 

MU’s Heritage Society members honored for second consecutive year

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Members of Marshall University’s Heritage Society were thanked and recognized today during a brunch in their honor in the Drinko Library atrium on MU’s Huntington campus.

John Kinzer, interim chief executive officer of the Marshall University Foundation, Inc., said the members of the Heritage Society are individuals and couples who have generously included Marshall in their estate planning.

“Many of the members have already made significant gifts to the Marshall University Foundation,” Kinzer said. “They are leaving a legacy which will benefit Marshall University students for generations to come.”

Kristi Arrowood, director of special projects with the Foundation, said today’s second-annual event honored the Heritage Society’s 153 members. They have chosen to be a part of Marshall’s future through a bequest, a living trust, a charitable trust, a charitable gift annuity or life insurance.

“All parts of Marshall University have benefited from planned gifts and for that I say thank you on behalf of a grateful university,” President Stephen J. Kopp told those attending the brunch.

The theme of today’s event was “Legacy of Letters.” Arrowood said to help archive some of the “dearest and most passionate” stories about Marshall University and its loyal supporters, members of the Heritage Society were asked to write letters sharing their thoughts of what Marshall means to them and their hopes and dreams for the university.

The members’ letters, or portions of them, are shared in this year’s “Legacy of Letters” program.

“Each letter gave us a glimpse into the hearts of these wonderful people and the reasons why they chose to provide for Marshall University and its students,” Arrowood said. “Many shared their gratitude as well as the opportunities and privileges that attending or working for Marshall afforded them.

“Others gave us wonderful visionary ideas,” Arrowood continued. “And, we had those who testified of overcoming great odds to graduate from Marshall and the sense of family that has been passed down from each graduating class to the next. There are members who have been lovingly adopted into the Marshall and Huntington family and chose to show their appreciation in this lasting way.”

Michael Cornfeld, associate dean in the university’s College of Fine Arts, announced during the event that Marshall has received a gift of $1.3 million from the estate of Donald B. Harper that will support an endowed scholarship in the College of Fine Arts.

A plaque honoring Harper has been installed on the Pathway of Prominence on MU’s campus. The Pathway is reserved for those who have given at least $1 million to Marshall during their lifetimes or through their estates.

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