Before coming to Marshall, Braden admits he wasn’t always the strongest student. But once he arrived, something changed.
“I was able to reach my full potential and develop a better future for myself,” he said. “That wouldn’t have been possible without the services and staff at Marshall.”
Now, Braden is deeply involved across campus by serving as vice president of the National Marrow Donor Program and director of internal operations for Dance Thunder, Marshall’s 12-hour dance marathon supporting children with cancer. He’s excelling academically, building community and shaping a future rooted in care for others. But behind that success is a story of resilience.
While still in high school, Braden’s now fiancée was diagnosed with lymphoma. When it came time to decide what came next, they made the difficult choice for Braden to begin his journey at Marshall while she continued treatment. What followed was one of the most challenging periods of his life.
As he began the St. Mary’s School of Nursing program, his fiancée was undergoing a stem cell transplant in Philadelphia. During the week, Braden stayed in Huntington, focused on his coursework and responsibilities. On weekends, he made a 16-hour round trip just to be by her side. Balancing academics, leadership roles and the emotional weight of a loved one’s illness pushed him to his limits.
Through it all, support made the difference—friends, faculty and mentors who showed up when he needed it most. One of those individuals was Chase Stewart, was Dance Thunder faculty advisor and assistant director of Fraternity & Sorority Life, who became a steady source of encouragement.
“He’s someone I can go to with anything,” Braden said. “He’s been such a mentor and a blessing to me.”
Despite everything, Braden never stepped away from his goals. Instead, he leaned in by getting involved, building connections and finding purpose in the very experiences that tested him. It was through that involvement that Marshall truly became home.
“The moment I got involved and joined organizations, that’s when everything changed,” he said.
Today, Braden continues to give back through leadership and service, helping raise funds and awareness for children battling cancer, an experience that hits especially close to home.
His perspective on college is clear: it’s not just about the typical expectations—it’s about growth, grit and building something meaningful.
If his journey were a movie, he already knows the title: “There’s Always Sun in the Morning.”
Even in the hardest moments, Braden believes there is always the possibility of a better day, and that those days, strung together, can carry you through anything.
His message to other students is simple but powerful: “Be proud of yourself for getting here. Your story is your own. Use the tools around you, build relationships and create the future you want to live in. If I can do it, you can do it.”
