Marshall’s Online M.S. in Computer Science program earns top ranking from Fortune

Marshall University has been recognized by Fortune for offering the Best Online Master’s in Computer Science program in the nation for 2024.

Fortune noted that business leaders need the best they can find, with the increasing use of AI, large-scale data analysis and cloud computing. In ranking university programs, it looked at factors such as the program’s selectivity, success rate and demand, said Dr. Paulus Wahjudi, professor and chair of the Department of Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering.

“Our faculty have always been focused on the students,” Wahjudi said. “We are happy to see that our dedication is recognized by a respected entity such as Fortune. We will continue to focus on our students’ success, especially since the technology is rapidly growing and there is a big demand to be filled.”

Fortune also gave Marshall a third-place ranking nationally for its in-person master’s degree in Computer Science. In 2023, Fortune gave a second-place ranking to Marshall’s online master’s degree program in Cybersecurity.

“It’s a testament to the people in the Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering department doing a great job,” said David Dampier, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences.

“These rankings are evidence why our online programs are growing. We had a 71% increase in graduate enrollment from the fall of 2022 to the fall of 2023 in the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences.”

The master’s degree program at Marshall covers topics such as data mining, big data systems, cyber risk, and advanced web technology.… Read More

Marshall chapter of Society of Physics students earns Outstanding Chapter Award

Marshall University’s chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) has earned an Outstanding Chapter award from the national SPS office for a fourth consecutive year.

The Marshall chapter has been nationally recognized for six successive years with national awards, with the last four years receiving the highest possible distinction rarely recognized by the American Institute of Physics.

“I am always excited to see when our students get rewarded and recognized for their efforts and hard work. Only 73 of over 800 SPS chapters have been honored with such a distinction in the 2022-2023 academic year, so the students should be very proud of their accomplishment,” said Dr. Sean P. McBride, associate professor in the Mathematics and Physics Department at Marshall and the chapter’s advisor. “The students have done a phenomenal job working with students in both the on and off campus communities with STEM focused outreach and recruitment activities for Marshall. One example was an outreach at both Davis Creek and Highlawn Elementary schools helping students make pinhole cameras.”

The pinhole camera outreach events earned national attention through an article published in the 2024 winter edition of the nationally distributed magazine, The SPS Observer. and also led to the chapter receiving the Community Service Event of the Year award by Marshall’s Office of Intercultural and Student Affairs, which was presented at the 2024 Leadership Awards Ceremony.… Read More

Marshall’s Drinko Library to present AIDS Memorial Quilt, host other AIDS Awareness Week events

Marshall has several activities planned in recognition of AIDS Awareness Week, including exhibiting the AIDS Memorial Quilt, which will be on display in Drinko Library March 4 – 20.

The AIDS Memorial Quilt is among the largest community arts projects in history. It is compiled of 50,000 quilt squares created in memory of a loved one who has died in the AIDS epidemic. The National AIDS Memorial brings sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt to communities across the United States to raise awareness and promote education about HIV/AIDS, while remembering those lost to the disease.

“HIV/AIDS has been a stigmatized illness since its discovery in 1981. The stigmatization of the illness led to government inaction which ended the lives of millions of men, women, children and gender nonconforming folks,” said MegHan Sexton-Harness, research specialist with Marshall Libraries and a coordinator of the event. “Though HIV/AIDS is now a survivable condition, a lot of the stigma remains, and millions around the world are still dying from improper access to life-saving and expensive medications.”… Read More

Marshall to present ‘Born of Rebellion’ traveling exhibit

Marshall University’s Drinko Library is presenting a traveling art exhibit that explores the origins of the Mountain State.

Born of Rebellion: West Virginia Statehood and the Civil War is on display through March 18 during library hours and is the new flagship history exhibit from the West Virginia Humanities Council, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the creators of the West Virginia Encyclopedia.

“This is a complete revitalization of an exhibit the Council first released in 2005, and toured again during the Sesquicentennial,” said Kyle Warmack, program officer for the Humanities Council. “The original was fantastic but focused narrowly on the legal question of statehood. This time, we widen the lens to include a kaleidoscope of West Virginia perspectives. 2024 is the 50th anniversary of the Council’s founding, so it felt appropriate to return all the way to the state’s roots.”

One way to do that was by digging into the stories of individuals around the state, he said. The exhibit’s section titles are drawn from the diary of Upshur County teenager Sirene Bunten, who was only 16 when West Virginia achieved statehood in 1863.

“The original diary is part of West Virginia Wesleyan College’s collections,” Warmack said. “Experiencing this history feels different when reading the inner observations of a young girl who loses two brothers to the war.”

Other quotes and experiences were drawn from the recollections of soldiers and civilians across the state.… Read More

Marshall to host Appalachian Institute for Digital Evidence (AIDE) Conference next week

Marshall University will host the 2024 Appalachian Institute for Digital Evidence (AIDE) Conference March 4-7 at the Memorial Student Center, featuring experts and vendors from various fields of cyber forensics and security.

AIDE is a regional, nonprofit organization that promotes research and education in digital evidence, cyber forensics and cyber security and fosters innovation and collaboration among academic institutions, law enforcement and members of the legal and business communities.

It’s presenting the conference in partnership with the Marshall University Institute for Cyber Security, a research and education center that focuses on the development and application of cyber security technologies and solutions. The institute offers undergraduate and graduate programs in cyber forensics and security, and is recognized as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

The conference will cover subjects such as law enforcement, open-source intelligence, industrial control systems, cyber security, dark web, cryptocurrency, and more. Each day of the conference has a different theme and focus, with sessions, workshops, demonstrations, and discussions led by experts and practitioners from academia, industry and government. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, March 4: Law Enforcement Day
• Tuesday, March 5: Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and Industrial Control Systems
• Wednesday, March 6: Cyber Forensics and Cyber Security
• Thursday, March 7: Cyber Forensics and Cyber Security… Read More

Clare Tuffy, steward of Brú na Bóinne, to speak at Marshall

Marshall University will host Clare Tuffy, the esteemed steward of Brú na Bóinne, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Ireland. Tuffy’s decades-long commitment to preserving cultural heritage and sustainable practices has garnered international acclaim.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 Time: 1:30 p.m. Location: Drinko Library, Room 402

Brú na Bóinne, situated on the north bank of the River Boyne, boasts Europe’s largest and most significant concentration of prehistoric megalithic art. The site includes the iconic burial mounds of Knowth, Newgrange, and Dowth. These ancient monuments hold social, economic and religious significance, spanning from prehistory to the present day.

Clare Tuffy will share her groundbreaking approach to heritage management, environmental stewardship and community development. Her work serves as a model for integrating cultural preservation with sustainable practices and economic vitality.

Dr. Brian Hoey is the dean of the Honors College, the host for the lecture.

“Clare Tuffy’s expertise in heritage stewardship aligns perfectly with our mission as a college to support interdisciplinary learning and global awareness. Her visit will foster a deeper understanding of the pivotal role of such significant sites in shaping community identity and fostering international connections,” Hoey said.

Following the presentation, Tuffy will engage in a Q&A session where attendees will be encouraged to participate and delve deeper into the intersection of heritage, environment and community.… Read More

Marshall University welcomes admitted students to exciting social event

Marshall University will host an Admitted Student Social, an event designed to connect admitted students with essential resources and opportunities. The admitted student social welcomes those already committed to being a part of the Marshall family or those curious about campus life as they still make their college decision.

Event details:
Date: Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024
Time: 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Weisberg Applied Engineering Complex, 1676 3rd Ave, Huntington, WV 25703

Highlights:

Record-breaking attendance: More than 300 students have already registered for this exciting occasion. Doors open at 1:45 p.m. : Explore the Weisberg Applied Engineering Complex. College and Office displays: The admitted student social is a great opportunity to meet with colleges and offices from across campus.

At the Admitted Student Social, attendees can:

Meet faculty and staff from each college, including the Honors College. Complete their housing application with Housing and Residence Life. Activate their MUNet account with IT. Attend Financial Aid presentations at 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Request a waiver of the $100 enrollment deposit and receive their exclusive Herd sweatshirt. Register for New Student Orientation. Engage with Intercultural and Student Affairs. Capture memories at our photo booth.

Additional activities: Read More

Distinguished Professor in the Arts to perform saxophone and clarinet recital at Marshall

Internationally renowned saxophonist Douglas Masek has been named as a Joan C. Edwards Distinguished Professor and will perform at 7:30 p.m., March 8, in the Jomie Jazz Forum on the Huntington campus.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Masek has an extensive record of professional performances around the world as a soloist, orchestral player, chamber musician and studio and movie soundtrack sideman. He has performed on five continents.

With degrees from the University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music and the Ohio State University, Masek completed his academic education with a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Southern California. He is an in-demand musician and has shared the stage with contemporary artists such as John Legend, Elvis Costello, Herbie Hancock, Christina Aguilera, Cher, Barry Manilow and Seth MacFarlane, among others.

In addition to his public concert, Masek will host clarinet and saxophone master classes for Marshall students, a lecture and discussion about the music industry for students, and Single Reed Day, a workshop and concert.

Masek’s residency is made possible through Joan C. Edward’s endowment to bring artists, scholars, and performers to Marshall’s campus for the benefit of the University community. This year’s residency is hosted by Dr. Edwin and Ann Marie Bingham.

For more information on Masek visit www.dougmasek.com

For more information on the public concert, call the School of Music at 304-696-3117.… Read More

Marshall School of Theatre and Dance to present ‘The Wolves’ 

The Marshall University  School of Theatre and Dance will present “The Wolves,” a play by Sarah DeLappe, at 7:30 p.m. nightly Feb. 21-24 in the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.  

“The Wolves” is an inside look at the lives of nine girls playing for an indoor soccer team and fighting their way through adolescence.  

Directed by Leah Turley, the cast includes Nikki Riniti, Eliza Aulick, Harper Aulick, Jaden Babbitt, Roza Beller, Amelya Bostic, Sierra Lutz, Reilly McClain, Samantha Phalen, and Kristen Scites.  Assisting behind the scenes will be Marshall student Rory Johnson, working as stage manager, with help from Marshall theatre faculty members Mike Murphy (scene design), Olivia Trees (costume design), and Lang Reynolds (light design). 

“ ‘The Wolves’ is set to a backdrop of soccer— warmups, specifically,” said Jack Cirillo, director of the School of Theatre and Dance. “The play is structured around the team’s preparation – the real drama of their lives happens off stage, reported to us during these training sessions. It is a neat concept. Yet almost every scene shows the team in repetitive warmup movements, stretching or jogging, so that the strength of the drama almost entirely depends on their repartee and debate. Read More

Marshall rural psychiatry residency earns accreditation

A new collaborative, rural psychiatry residency between the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Rivers Health in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, earned initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). 

The new rural psychiatry program is sponsored by the Marshall Community Health Consortium, which is composed of the School of Medicine, Marshall Health, Cabell Huntington Hospital and Valley Health Systems, in collaboration with Holzer Health System, Logan Regional Medical Center, Rivers Health and St. Mary’s Medical Center. ACGME approved the four-year training program for four trainees per year with a full complement of 16 total residents once the program has been fully implemented. While the program will recruit trainees to begin as early as July 2024, it will participate in the nationwide matching program for medical student applicants to begin in July 2025. 

“Expansion of the psychiatrist workforce through targeted education in rural and underserved areas of West Virginia is a fundamental strategic initiative aimed at improving access to behavioral health services in the region and beyond,” said David Gozal, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. (Hon), vice president of Health Affairs at Marshall University and dean of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. 

Suzanne Holroyd, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, is director of the new rural residency program and Brady E. Kullen, D.O., assistant professor, will serve as associate program director.Read More

The Chafin Law Firm establishes scholarship for students challenged by the opioid epidemic

The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of The Chafin Law Firm Scholarship, generously endowed by Truman and Letitia “Tish” Neese Chafin. Both have marketing degrees from Marshall, graduating in 1967 and 1986, respectively.

The Chafin Law Firm is a small, specialized practice in the heart of the West Virginia coalfields in Mingo County and has represented West Virginia counties seeking damages from drug manufacturers due to the opioid epidemic. The Chafins created this scholarship to support students whose families have been adversely affected by the opioid epidemic.

“We’re honored to have represented the counties and cities in this terrible situation, particularly what’s happened to southern West Virginia,” said H. Truman Chafin, founder of The Chafin Law Firm. “We wanted to do anything we can do to help the community who helped us.”

Truman Chafin served in the West Virginia State Senate from 1982 to 2014 and served as majority leader from 1998 to 2010. Truman Chafin founded the law firm after graduating from Michigan State University College of Law in the late 1970s.

Tish Chafin received her law degree from West Virginia University College of Law and began working at the firm shortly afterward. She was appointed to Marshall’s Board of Governors by then-Governor Bob Wise in 2005 and served two terms. She also previously served as president of the West Virginia State Bar Association from 2010-2011.

Truman Chafin said the decision to establish the scholarship was an easy one, as the older you get, the more important… Read More