Some thoughts from the Committee Chairman

his project has been challenging and exciting for the members of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Future of Marshall University. Committee members used numerous means to gather information and input from the academic units at Marshall. Additionally, a series of focus groups and meetings were held with business, civic and community leaders in Charleston and Huntington.

As volumes of information were made available to the committee, it became clear that certain themes were consistently emerging regarding the future direction of the University. These themes should be used as operating principles for the future growth of the institution and include the following:

1. Commitment to quality education at Marshall University.

2. Commitment to serving West Virginia and the region with innovative and relevant undergraduate and graduate education.

3. Commitment to the use of technology initiatives in the improvement of education delivery and access.

4. Commitment to increased involvement in workforce development in the region.

5. Commitment to the growth and enhancement of the Community and Technical College mission within the university.

6. Commitment to enhancing the tradition of a liberal arts based education at Marshall University.

7. Commitment to diversity in all elements of the university.

The assembled information in this report reflects a broad consensus of opinion among the campus community. This report is by no means a final document. The campus community will have to engage in more committee work, task force meetings and feasibility studies before the visions in this report can be realized. However it is a beginning, a direction for the university in the 21st Century and I wish to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the members of the Ad Hoc Committee On The Future of Marshall for their help in making this report a reality.

Corley Dennison
Committee Chair