President Brad D. Smith and First Lady Alys Smith give $50 million to Marshall University, setting a national standard in higher education

Marshall University has announced a historic $50 million gift from President Brad D. Smith and First Lady Alys Smith to advance Marshall For All, a groundbreaking program designed to eliminate student debt.

The milestone gift is the largest bestowed to the university, and is the largest personal contribution made by a sitting university president to their own institution.

“We are honored to support Marshall University and the Marshall For All program with this gift,” the Smiths said. “Our ‘why’ is simple: to level the playing field in West Virginia and Appalachia. We hope this gift ensures that every student with the dream of an advanced degree has the opportunity and support to achieve it — while also showing what’s possible for the future of higher education in our region and beyond.”

Day of Giving raises over $275,000 for Marshall

Marshall University announced the success of its Day of Giving: 1837 Minutes for Marshall with $275,189  raised in support of various university initiatives.

Marshall’s Day of Giving, which occurred April 23-24, serves as an opportunity for the Marshall family to unite and make a difference for the university’s students and the future of the institution. This year, Day of Giving spotlighted “1837 Minutes for Marshall,” which was a nod to the university’s founding year. Over the course of 30 hours, faculty, staff alumni and supporters were encouraged to participate and contribute.

The Gratitude in Giving Back

Marshall University Foundation hosted its annual Gratitude Week Nov. 18-22. The week celebrates the contributions of donors, alumni, faculty, staff, students and community partners who help advance the university’s mission.

The surprises were part of the Foundation’s Gratitude Week, a newly revamped spin on what was previously Thank A Donor Days. Though the name may have changed, the premise is the same – to express gratitude to those who make the Foundation’s mission possible by helping students, faculty and staff, and advancing the goals of the university.

Why give to Marshall?

We’ve always been a university with a mission: to bring sweeping change to higher education and to create economic, societal and intellectual prosperity in West Virginia and beyond. Your gifts lead us forward in solving the grand challenges of our complicated world.

Marshall University is transforming the student learning experience; building innovative, collaborative and entrepreneurial faculty; and harnessing the power of local and global partnerships – to drive cutting-edge research, find solutions that make the world better, help launch new companies and revitalize industries.