The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the Prentiss Lee Faulconer Jr. Endowed Scholarship for Accountancy and Legal Environment. This scholarship was generously endowed by Diane Ramy Faulconer, in honor and memory of her late husband, who passed away in November of 2013.
This gift results in the department being named the Prentiss Lee Faulconer Jr. Department of Accountancy and Legal Environment within the Lewis College of Business and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business.
“Diane’s extraordinary contribution to this scholarship and Marshall’s Department of Accountancy and Legal Environment reflects her deep dedication to education and community progress,” said Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall University. “This generous support will empower future students to thrive and innovate in vital disciplines, leaving an enduring mark on our university and the broader community.”
The scholarship and department create a fundamental opportunity for the future of the college, said Ben Eng, interim dean of the Lewis College of Business and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business.
“Gifts of this magnitude are transformative for our college’s future,” Eng said. “They enable us to expand programs and attract top talent, ensuring that our students receive a world-class education that prepares them to be high-impact leaders in the global marketplace.”… Read More
Marshall University has begun preparing for its Comprehensive Evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) during the 2025-2026 academic year. This 10-year Evaluation will determine Marshall’s continuing accreditation by the HLC, which Marshall has maintained since 1928.
This accreditation demonstrates that Marshall continues to meet standards established by the peer-led membership of HLC and by the U.S. Department of Education and, further, it assures that our students maintain eligibility to use federal financial aid funds to attend Marshall University. The Office of Academic Affairs is responsible for preparation for our Comprehensive Evaluation. Dr. Avi Mukherjee, provost, Dr. Mary Beth Reynolds, associate provost for assessment and quality initiatives, and Dr. Susan Tusing, professor of music and academic affairs faculty fellow, are organizing preparations for the Evaluation.
Since the spring 2023 semester, Dr. Tusing has coordinated the researching and writing of our Assurance Argument, a self-study narrative and collection of evidence that documents the university’s adherence to HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation. The Assurance Argument will be completed and submitted to HLC in late 2025, and a team of HLC peer reviewers will visit our campus in January 2026 to complete the Evaluation.… Read More
The Marshall University School of Art & Design hosts two art exhibitions to kick off the fall semester — “Residence Time,” a solo exhibition by renowned interdisciplinary artist Kelley O’Brien, and “Possession is Not Distinguished: By Purchase or By Gift,” an exhibition by ByProduct Studios, the collaborative practice of married artist/designers Molly Jo Burke and Nathan Gorgen.
“Residence Time” is now on display through Sept. 5 at the Charles W. & Norma C. Carroll Gallery, located in the Visual Arts Center at 927 3rd Ave., Huntington, and “Possession is Not Distinguished” will be on view from Aug. 12 through Sept. 19 in the Birke Art Gallery, also located in the Visual Arts Center.
Residence Time is a mixed media installation that addresses the issue of industrial pollution in Greensboro, North Carolina. Focusing on contamination of the Cape Fear River Basin, the exhibition utilizes scent, sound, and kinetic sculptures to create an immersive experience and invites viewers to consider the broader impacts of local actions on human health and the environment.
“O’Brien’s work is both accessible and intellectually challenging,” said Courtney Chapman, gallery director at Marshall’s School of Art & Design. “Residence Time features distinct, immersive components such as a subtle perfume to mimic the sickly-sweet scent of the 1,4-Dioxane and a soundscape ominously reverberating through the space, layered with familiar aspects of water and reflection.”… Read More
The Marshall University Board of Governors today approved the purchase of two separate pieces of property along 4th Avenue necessary to construct the Institute for Cyber Security (ICS) along the newly planned Innovation Corridor.
The two lots, 1530 and 1540 4th Avenue, are currently vacant apartment structures and will be demolished. Construction on the ICS is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
The board approved a name change for Smith Hall, the multi-story building complex at the corner of Third Avenue and Hal Greer Boulevard, to Stewart H. Smith Hall, fully recognizing the seventh president of Marshall University and alleviating any confusion that it was named after current President Brad D. Smith. Stewart H. Smith served as Marshall’s president for 22 years and has the longest tenure of any president to date. The seven-story building and communications building house dozens of academic majors and programs including journalism, communication disorders, criminal justice, mathematics, political science, sociology and anthropology, among many others. The name of the Evelyn Hollberg Smith Music Hall will remain unchanged.
Marshall’s new Student Government Association President Brea Belville was sworn in as the student representative on the Board of Governors by Cabell County Circuit Judge Sean “Corky” Hammers. Belville is a senior majoring in finance who aspires to attend law school.
Additional board action included the naming of two advisory board members for the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University. Landon Meadows and Dr. Hillary Adams will serve three-year terms.… Read More
The Marshall University June Harless Center, which is housed in Marshall’s College of Education and Professional Development and manages Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for the state of West Virginia, is planning a host of activities statewide in celebration of “Dolly Day.” The event marks Dolly Parton’s visit to West Virginia in 2022 to celebrate the expansion of her literacy program.
Globally, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program mails more than 3 million books monthly to children from birth to age 5, with the purpose of fostering early literacy and setting children up for academic success. More than 52,000 West Virginia children age 5 and younger are registered to receive a free book each month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) Early Literacy and School Readiness Program.
To celebrate “Dolly Day” in West Virginia each year, statewide read aloud events are held featuring a selected book from the Imagination Library program. This year’s book, “I Am A Rainbow,” will be read during community events scheduled throughout the state Aug. 5-10.
At Marshall, women’s basketball Coach Juli Fulks will be reading at 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, at the Memorial Fountain on Marshall’s campus.… Read More
Marshall University is pleased to announce the receipt of a generous $400,000 grant from the Koch Foundation to advance the university’s mission through the development of a cutting-edge micro-credentials program and comprehensive workforce training. This substantial grant will enable the university to collaborate closely with community and technical colleges, as well as local employers, to design and implement innovative career pathways for learners of all kinds.
The funding will significantly bolster the expansion of the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center’s training programs, solidifying its status as a national center of excellence in workforce development within the manufacturing sector. The primary focus of the initiative will be on refining two critical career pathways: health care and welding. These pathways will enable learners to “upskill” from entry-level positions to higher-paying roles while acquiring new skills and credentials along the way.
“We are incredibly grateful for this generous support,” said Brandon Dennison, vice president for economic and workforce development at Marshall. “This grant will not only help us enhance our educational offerings but also strengthen our ties with the community and local industries. By working together, we can create meaningful career opportunities and contribute to the economic development of our region.”
Dr. Julia Spears, associate provost for online education and certification, said the micro pathways project is an opportunity for Marshall to use designing thinking and insights from the nationally recognized Education Design Lab to innovate in the local educational ecosystem.
“Through this project, we hope to pilot alternative pathways for learners to engage in… Read More
Marshall University has announced a pledge of $1 million from alumnus Allen Hager in support of the Marshall For All, Marshall Forever program.
“I am delighted to receive such a generous financial commitment from Mr. Hager in support of Marshall For All,” said Marshall’s President Brad D. Smith. “Beyond the incredible financial support, Allen is a role model and invaluable thought partner for me and the campus community. As an alum, he has seen the transformational power of Marshall firsthand – and he uniquely understands and appreciates what his contribution means to the next generation of Marshall students.”
The Marshall For All program allows Marshall students to combine scholarships, grants, work opportunities and family contributions to earn their bachelor’s degree without needing student loans, which will allow students to graduate with little to no debt. To qualify, students will need to complete a FAFSA annually and commit to actions such as graduating on time, pursuing work opportunities and participating in financial literacy programs.
The program, announced by Marshall University President Brad D. Smith in 2022, launched last fall with new first-year West Virginians and metro area students. The university will expand the program over the next decade with the goal of relieving student debt for all Marshall students by 2037.… Read More
Marshall University and the Lewis College of Business concluded another successful summer experience for high school students last week. Since 2021, faculty and staff of Marshall’s Lewis College of Business have hosted the West Virginia Governor’s School of Entrepreneurship (WVGSE), a two-week camp, helping high school students engage in creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving and calculated risk-taking in pursuit of solving difficult problems.
Student participants identify a problem, propose solutions, build prototypes and engage potential customers to test assumptions. Their experience culminates with a Demonstration Day pitch, which this year took place July 20, when nine teams pitched their entrepreneurial journey to three panelists and over 100 audience members in the Encova Auditorium of the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation.
The panel consisted of Toney Stroud, chief legal officer at Marshall University, Barbie Woods of Advantage Valley’s FASTER WV program, and entrepreneur Jonathan Hale.
Students’ projects addressed problems such as food insecurity, the impact of droughts on family farms, plastic waste, distracted driving, as well as the needs for broadband internet in rural areas, an integrated system or application for trip-planning, adaptive and fashionable clothing for those with disabilities, and improved casts for broken bones.
Students who participated in the camp and presented demonstrations included:
Shyla Hatti, Ragan Martin, Peter Basdekis, Shay Chester, Alison Shelton, Ben Keeney, John Campbell, Anna Wolverton, Danielle Scantlin, Joseph Van Meter, Sundar Chiranjeevi, Liam Kruse, Anna Floyd, Dylan Liang, Hannah Raper, Claire Salisbury,… Read More
Officially nominated for the register by the West Virginia Archives and History Commission in June and marked by a special ceremony, the fountain was built in 1972 by artist Harry Bertoia as a memorial to the 75 lives lost in the 1970 Marshall plane crash.
The official nomination letter was penned by Marshall two-time history graduate S. Cody Straley, who serves as the national register and architecture survey coordinator for the State Historic Preservation Office. Straley said at Juene’s ceremony that writing the official nomination was his small way of paying back the institution that gave him so much.
“We know why this fountain is important, but today the national government will provide federal recognition for the fountain’s importance,” Straley said.
The Marshall fountain is more than 13 feet high and weighs 6,500 pounds. With its continuous flow of water and imposing structure, the fountain commands attention for all who visit. The fountain received extensive repairs in 2008 including a new granite surface for the foundation, a copper catch tray and a higher water spray like the original output when it was installed in 1972.… Read More
The Opioid Response Network (ORN), a component of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Region 3, in collaboration with The Training Center at Marshall University’s Center of Excellence for Recovery, is pleased to announce a two-day regional summit titled “NEXUS ETHICS: A Transdisciplinary Ethical Exploration.”
The in-person summit is designed to explore the complexities of modern ethical dilemmas that traverse the various behavioral health disciplines. It will bring together professionals from the fields of counseling, psychology, social work, addiction/prevention and peer recovery support to engage in dynamic and collaborative learning.
By fostering connections and sharing insights across disciplines, NEXUS ETHICS aims to enhance ethical decision-making and promote ethical excellence in professional practice.
The NEXUS ETHICS summit will feature scenario-based discussions and interactive workshops, bringing together professionals from diverse fields to engage in dynamic and collaborative learning. Continuing education credit will be available at no cost for counselors, psychologists, social workers and addiction/prevention/recovery professionals. DVACs for Domestic Violence Advocates are pending.… Read More
Marshall University was awarded a $3.3 million grant (#R01DA057931) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to examine the genetic mechanisms that underlie fentanyl addiction.
In 2022, fentanyl overdose was the leading cause of death for U.S. adults aged 18 to 45, according to Families Against Fentanyl (2023).
“This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need to understand why some people are more susceptible to fentanyl addiction,” said Price E. Dickson, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical sciences at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and lead investigator of this five-year study. “Identifying how certain genes influence the brain’s response to fentanyl will pave the way for the development of effective treatments, thus addressing a critical public health need.” … Read More
The following staff members were recognized for their years of service at the 40th Annual Marshall University Staff Recognition luncheon.
For 10 Years of Service: Kae Bradley, Kathy Brannock, Tamara Browning, David Childers, Charity Damron, Kelly Ferguson, James Fraley, Curtis Jacks, Simone Kompanek, Jonathon Langer, Shane Lawrence, Whitney Lawson, Chris McComas, Brad McCoy, Susan Midkiff, Angie Rose, Megan Russell, Leslie Spurlock, Robin Taylor, Tracie Wheeler, and Kathi Wintz.
For 15 Years of Service: Billy Biggs, Tiffany Bowes, Robert Buckovan, Kevin Byrd, Katie Counts, Deborah Curry, Tracy Eggleston, Joe Eplin, Karen Fischer, Melody Freeman, April Fugett, Keith Goode, Julia Haines, Michael Hill, Heather Hundley, Darlene Johnson, Donald Lyons, Bonnie Marquis, Mike Meyers, Glen Midkiff, Jennifer Morgan, Beve Napier, Jermaine Payton, Mary Rewalt, Amy Smith, Hiram Smith, Jonathan Sutton, Nancy Tresch-Reneau, Maria Vargas, and Howard Young.
For 20 Years of Service: Jason Adkins, Phillip Alexander, Michelle Alford, Rick Bledsoe, Mary Chapman, Bob Dorado, Laura A. Drake, Stacy Good, Andrew Gooding, Sheri Heinz, Kevin Hughes, John Maxwell, Teah Miller, Sharon Peters, Erika Riley, Joey Salyers, Lee Shafer, Scott Taylor, Eric Wallace, and Chad Wilcox.
For 25 Years of Service: Teresa Bolt, Sonja Cantrell-Johnson, Brenda Crawford, Marc Danner, Wanda Dyke, Shelia Fields, Eric Himes, Danny Holland, Cammy Holley, Angela Jones, Linda Lloyd, Kevin Maynard, and Loan Vallandingham.
For 30 Years of Service: Jim Atkinson, Brenda Carrico, Aslam Chaudhry, Joe Justice, Mike McCarthy, Terri Moran, Greg Pickens, and Becky Sloan.
For 35 Years of Service: Raddar Atchley, Tony Waugh, and Phyllis White-Sellards.… Read More
