The board approved the $3.5 million purchase of property located on Northcott Court and Hal Greer Boulevard in Huntington. The acquisition marks the beginning of a transformative project that will provide the school of medicine with its first free-standing facility since its establishment in 1977 and coincides as the school approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027.
“This investment represents a significant milestone in the history of Marshall University and the School of Medicine,” said Marshall University President Brad D. Smith. “For nearly five decades, the School of Medicine has trained physicians and health professionals who serve communities across West Virginia and beyond. This new facility will position us to expand that mission for generations to come.”
The project will be funded through a combination of federal, state, local and private support.
“We are deeply grateful for the collective vision and support that has made this important step possible,” said David Gozal, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. (Hon), vice president for health affairs at Marshall and dean of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. “By bringing education, research and clinical services to our community together in a modern learning environment, we will continue to provide the resources and experiences that prepare tomorrow’s physicians and health professionals to deliver exceptional care across Appalachia and beyond.”
Founded as a VA-affiliated medical school, the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine was established through a partnership with the Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center to address physician shortages and expand access to care across the region. As its academic programs, research enterprise and clinical partnerships expanded, the school outgrew its original facilities and extended its footprint across multiple locations throughout Marshall University’s downtown and health sciences campuses.
The new medical education building will bring many of the school’s core academic functions together under one roof, creating a modern hub for learning, collaboration and innovation. Plans include advanced instructional technology, simulation and clinical skills training spaces, enhanced computational resources to support emerging applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare, research facilities and a community clinic that will enhance hands-on learning while expanding access to care.
More than 450 medical and health professions students, along with 350 resident physicians and fellows, are expected to utilize the facility annually. Construction for the new School of Medicine building is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2027.
In other action, the board approved a motion that will expand the Metro tuition rate, which will be implemented in two separate phases. The first phase will extend the Metro tuition rate to a true 150-mile radius that will encompass counties over seven states, including Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana and Pennsylvania beginning in the fall of 2027. Following that, phase 2 will be adopted the following fall and will offer the Metro tuition rate to any student who lives in a state that borders West Virginia.
Additionally, as required by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the board approved a list of potential capital projects to submit to the state for consideration in future funding requests. The approval does not allocate funding but allows the projects to be included in the state’s review process.
Two faculty members were recognized by the board for their outstanding contributions to the university.
- Dr. Rick Gage is an associate professor in the College of Science and is a recent recipient of the Marshall & Shirley Reynolds Outstanding Teaching Award. Gage coordinates Marshall’s Natural Resources and Recreation Management degree program.
- Professor Patricia Proctor is executive director of the Simon Perry Center for Constitutional Democracy and a tireless advocate for civic engagement, women’s empowerment, and student governance at Marshall.
In his remarks to the board, President Brad D. Smith provided an update on artificial intelligence initiatives at Marshall University, including upcoming summer planning sessions focused on AI. He also reported that the administration is reviewing budget scenarios to prepare for potential enrollment fluctuations and is continuing to strengthen retention efforts to help the university achieve its goal of achieving an 80% retention rate in the coming years.
Several board members, including Geoff Sheils, Bill Smith and student Connor Waller, are rotating off the board. Beginning July 1, Kathy Eddy will replace Sheils as chair, Jim Smith will serve as vice chair and Kathy D’Antoni will serve as secretary.