The Marshall University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (iCenter) is proud to announce the launch of its first gBETA accelerator cohort, in partnership with nationally recognized venture capital firm gener8tor. Five dynamic startups were chosen for the inaugural cohort: FarmerzTool Technology, get2there, Monarch Learning Labs, Quest R&D and Stitch AI. The group has been selected to participate in the program, representing key industries including agriculture, digital infrastructure, medtech, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.
Hosted at Marshall’s iCenter, the gBETA Accelerator is a no-cost, seven-week program designed to help early-stage startups refine their business models, gain customer traction and prepare for future investment. Participants benefit from one-on-one coaching and direct access to gener8tor’s national network of experienced mentors, investors, and corporate partners.
“At Marshall, we believe in the power of people with big ideas and we’re proud to be a launchpad for entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of our state’s economy,” said Tricia Ball, executive director of the iCenter. “This cohort represents the purpose-driven founders and innovative ideas we aim to cultivate in West Virginia, and gener8tor has been an incredible partner, providing them with the relationships and resources they need to accelerate their success.”
Selected from a competitive applicant pool across West Virginia, the cohort reflects the growing strength of local innovation and its potential to scale nationally.… Read More
Marshall University’s School of Physical Therapy is now inviting college juniors to apply for conditional acceptance to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
This optional pathway allows eligible students to bypass the standard admission process through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), which is typically completed during the senior year.
Instead, students may apply as juniors and, if accepted, receive early, conditional admission to Marshall’s DPT program and receive $3,000 in scholarship assistance during the first year of physical therapy school.
This optional pathway is tailored for high-achieving college students who have excelled academically early in their college journey and wish to selectively pursue their DPT degree at Marshall University.
“We are thrilled to offer this pathway to high-achieving students,” said Dr. Scott Davis, physical therapy program director. “It reflects our commitment to helping students reach their professional goals.”
For more information about the Junior Early Assurance Pathway or to apply today, visit https://www.marshall.edu/physical-therapy/physical-therapy-degree-programs/.… Read More
Marshall University is proud to announce its selection as the newest ZinnStarter affiliate, joining a prestigious and growing network of universities committed to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs. Funded by Ray Zinn — former CEO of Micrel and the longest-serving CEO in Silicon Valley — ZinnStarter equips aspiring student entrepreneurs with seed funding, mentorship and leadership training. As part of this partnership, Marshall has received a $10,000 award to directly support student-led ventures.
This affiliation strengthens the university’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, which includes both a major and minor in entrepreneurship within the Lewis College of Business, as well as the Brad D. Smith Student Incubator, which is delivered through the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (iCenter), the Honors College and the Lewis College of Business.
The ZinnStarter award will help students bring their business ideas to life through micro-grants, pitch events and prototype development, said Ben Eng, interim dean of the Lewis College of Business. In addition to funding, the program pairs students with experienced entrepreneurs and executives who offer guidance on key topics such as servant leadership, building enduring companies and cultivating lasting corporate cultures.
ZinnStarter also provides students with leadership and entrepreneurship training grounded in Ray Zinn’s values and decades of business experience. The program emphasizes the creation of long-lasting, sustainable companies and supports student entrepreneurs in developing strong foundations for long-term success.
“The ZinnStarter award empowers Marshall University’s student entrepreneurs to achieve their dream of launching innovative businesses that drive prosperity across West Virginia and beyond,” Eng… Read More
The names of nearly 1,500 students who were awarded degrees from Marshall University May 10 are listed on the university’s website and may be used by the media.
The name, hometown and home county, along with the degree earned and honor (if applicable), are listed for graduates from West Virginia. For those from other states, the name, hometown, state, degree and honor (if applicable) are listed.
The graduation list is available at Graduation List – Marshall University News… Read More
At its regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday, June 11, the Marshall University Board of Governors unanimously approved an amendment to President Brad D. Smith’s employment agreement extending its maturity three years to Dec. 31, 2029.
Marshall University Board of Governors Chairman Geoff Sheils released this statement following the board’s decision.
“The Board is very grateful for Brad’s commitment, passion, energy and untiring dedication to this great university,” Sheils said. “To say we are thrilled that Brad has agreed to lead Marshall University through 2029 would be an understatement.”
Sheils credited Smith with leading Marshall University with bold vision, great humility and clarity of purpose.
“President Smith and his wife, Alys, have been the catalysts of Marshall University becoming a transformative force in education, opportunity and regional development. United in their passion and purpose, they are making the bold vision of Marshall for All, Marshall Forever a reality — a vision centered on access, excellence and long-term sustainability. Their approach to servant leadership with a focus on people-first values has inspired a renewed sense of purpose and pride throughout our campus, our city, our region and our state, and we are most grateful for their service as we look to the future with much optimism, ” Sheils said.
Smith said he is deeply grateful to the Board of Governors for their continued support and wise counsel.
“Alys and I consider this role the privilege of a lifetime, and we are honored to serve the university and community we love so dearly,” Smith… Read More
The Marshall University Board of Governors today approved the launch of several new degree programs designed to meet growing workforce demand and align with evolving industry standards.
Among the additions is a new Bachelor of Science in Sonography, a program developed in response to the increasing need for qualified sonographers in the health care field. University officials noted that the degree will prepare students for high-demand roles and support the continued advancement of diagnostic medical services.
Additional degree updates include a new Bachelor of Science in Health and Movement Sciences, expanding the university’s offerings in the health and wellness disciplines. In addition, the board approved the shift from a Master of Arts in Mathematics to a Master of Science in Mathematics to better align with the evolving expectations of the discipline.
“These updates reflect Marshall’s continued commitment to provide relevant, forward-focused academic opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Avi Mukherjee, Marshall’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
On the athletics front, the board approved a four-year extension of men’s head basketball coach Cornelius “Corny” Jackson’s contract. Jackson was initially hired as head coach in 2024 after joining the coaching staff in 2017. In his first season as Marshall’s head coach, Jackson led the team to a 20-win season and a 12-6 mark in Sun Belt Conference play. That 12-6 mark earned the Herd the No. 5 seed in the 2025 SBC Tournament – a vast improvement from their preseason selection of finishing 10th out of 14 teams.… Read More
Marshall University’s Visual Arts Center is hosting an exhibit from the Tamarack Foundation for the Arts through July 11, with a reception planned for 5 p.m. on closing day.
The exhibit, The Art of Fellowship, celebrates the exceptional creative voices of Tamarack artists, including past master fellows, emerging artist fellows and creative entrepreneur fellows.
“The Art of Fellowship represents the heart of our mission at Tamarack Foundation for the Arts — investing in West Virginia’s creative talent and watching it flourish,” said Renee Margocee, executive director of Tamarack Foundation for the Arts. “These artists exemplify what’s possible when we provide resources, mentorship and community support to our state’s most promising voices.”
The collection brings together the dynamic work of artists from across the state of West Virginia and highlights the power of fellowship to nurture talent, fuel innovation and foster sustainable creative careers. Each piece in the exhibition is a reflection of the entrepreneurial spirit and artistic growth that the fellowship programs are designed to support.
“The Art of the Fellowship Exhibition is a great example of how we are connecting artists from across the state and creating opportunities,” said Robby Moore, arts extension educator with the West Virginia State University Extension Service. “It’s more than just an art exhibition. It’s a testament to the art community’s strength and vitality.”
Many participating artists are expected to attend the closing reception, planned for 5-7:30 p.m. July 11 at the VAC, located at 927 3rd Ave. in downtown Huntington. The public is… Read More
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey has appointed Charles R. “Rusty” Webb to the Marshall University Board of Governors.
“I’m so pleased to name Rusty Webb as a board member,” Morrisey said. “His wealth of experience and love of Marshall will serve the university well, as they continue to move toward higher heights.”
A 1983 graduate of Marshall University and former member of the men’s swim team, Webb brings more than three decades of public service and legal experience to the board. Over the past 33 years, he has served the state of West Virginia as both an attorney and a legislator. In 1996, Webb was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates, where he served four terms. In 2006, he founded Webb Law Centre, PLLC, in Charleston, focusing his legal practice on personal injury law.
Board of Governors Chair Geoff Sheils welcomed Webb’s appointment.
“We’re pleased to welcome Rusty to the Board of Governors,” Sheils said. “His deep roots at Marshall, combined with his decades of public service and legal expertise, make him an asset. I’m confident he will play an important role in advancing the university’s goals and strengthening our impact across the state.”
Marshall President Brad D. Smith said Webb embodies the spirit of Marshall with a deep commitment to the Mountain State.
“As an alumnus and former student-athlete, he brings a meaningful connection to our university community, along with valuable experience in law and public policy,” Smith said. “We’re excited to welcome him to the Board… Read More
Marshall University is proud to announce it has received a $1 million gift from the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation (HGB) to create the BOLD Women’s Leadership Experience at Marshall. This transformative initiative aims to cultivate leadership among undergraduate women, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
The Helen Gurley Brown Foundation started the BOLD (Building Opportunities for Leadership and Development) Women’s Leadership Network as a pioneering program to empower women during their college years and beyond. Through scholarship funding, BOLD facilitates opportunities for personal growth, career development, networking and more.
“We are thrilled to bring the BOLD Women’s Leadership Experience to Marshall University to help our students grow and learn more than they ever thought possible,” said Alys Smith, First Lady of Marshall University. “We want our students to reach and aim higher — and HGB is the perfect partner for that.”
The BOLD program at Marshall will offer selected students a comprehensive leadership curriculum, including workshops, mentorship opportunities and community engagement projects. By connecting students with a network of accomplished women leaders, the program aims to facilitate meaningful career launches upon graduation.
“We are grateful to the HGB Foundation for its generous support of Marshall For All, Marshall Forever,” said Nico Karagosian, president and CEO of the Marshall University Foundation. “This gift both strengthens our commitment to student success and we’re proud to bring this experience to Marshall under the guidance of First Lady Alys Smith, who will lead this transformative initiative.”
The BOLD program at Marshall will be the first… Read More
Marshall University is pleased to announce that Katherine Germann has received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. She will conduct public health research in Peru during the 2025–26 academic year.
Germann, a student at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, currently serves in the U.S. Navy while pursuing her Doctor of Medicine degree. She has been awarded a Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowship in Public Health. During her grant year, her research will focus on enhancing surveillance of respiratory infections in Peru by utilizing artificial intelligence technologies to streamline data mining and analysis, ultimately supporting stronger public health responses in the region.
“For me this award represents how personalized we can make our lives…,” Germann said. “We still have a lot of opportunities to make our experiences our own and keep doing the things that we love alongside medicine.”
Each year, more than 2,000 Fulbright U.S. Students — including recent college graduates, graduate students and early career professionals — pursue graduate study, conduct research or teach English in schools abroad.
They are joined by more than 800 U.S. scholars who teach or conduct research abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. These Fulbrighters form ongoing research collaborations and help build long-term partnerships between institutions.
Since its establishment in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided opportunities for more than 400,000 individuals of all backgrounds to study, teach and conduct research abroad. They exchange ideas, foster people-to-people connections and work to… Read More
Marshall University School of Pharmacy (MUSOP) and the Heart of Appalachia Talent Search (HATS) Program have created a new partnership that will introduce middle school students to pharmacy as a possible career choice.
Together, they will launch a Career Camp from 2 -3 p.m. Thursday, June 12 at Stephen J. Kopp Hall, located at 1538 Charleston Ave. in Huntington.
This inaugural event brings together middle school students from the HATS program for an interactive introduction to pharmacy as a career. The event includes a tour of Marshall University’s pharmacy school facility, a hands-on pharmacy activity and information about MUSOP’s accelerated pathways, degree programs and more. The goal is to spark early interest in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences to help students envision their future in health care.
The Heart of Appalachia Talent Search (HATS) is a federally funded TRIO program that provides academic support and college preparation services to approximately 600 middle and high school students in Mason and Wayne counties. HATS is part of the national TRIO network, which empowers students from underrepresented backgrounds to achieve postsecondary success. Marshall University proudly sponsors the HATS program as part of its commitment to educational access and regional impact.
“This partnership with Marshall’s School of Pharmacy opens a world of opportunity for our students,” said Zac Jenkins, director of HATS. “For many, this will be their first time setting foot in a professional school setting. It’s a powerful experience to begin imagining what’s possible.”
“This partnership aligns with our mission to serve and… Read More
Representatives from Marshall University, BridgeValley Community and Technical College and Ireland’s Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) met last week with members of the West Virginia-Ireland Trade Commission at Leinster House in Dublin to discuss the early success of a new international study abroad program and explore opportunities for its expansion.
Launched in 2024 through the Office of Global Education and with support from a $50,000 U.S. Department of State IDEAS Grant, the program offers short-term, faculty-led international experiences to students from both two-year and four-year institutions, with a focus on STEM and first-generation students. Seventeen students are currently in Ireland as part of the inaugural cohort.
“This partnership is doing exactly what it was designed to do by connecting West Virginia students to global opportunities in a way that’s accessible, relevant and sustainable,” said Dr. Brian Hoey, dean of the Honors College at Marshall and the program’s academic director. “What began with a simple conversation when I was in Ireland in July 2023 is now a functioning, replicable model that brings real value to our students and our institutions. It’s gratifying to see such strong interest in taking this further.”
Hoey met with West Virginia legislative representatives Bob Leslie, Mike Hornby and Dr. James “Jamie” Field, along with DkIT faculty and administrators, including Joyce O’Hara and Dr. Conor Brady, director of the certificate program in which the students are enrolled. The meeting, arranged with the assistance of Senator Mark Daly, chair of the Irish Senate (Seanad Éireann), explored potential state-level… Read More
