Month: November 2020

Pete and Barbara Chiericozzi have recently established the Chiericozzi-Bruce Scholarship at Marshall University to support full-time undergraduate students.

First preference will go to students who are first-generation students and residents of West Virginia who are starting their sophomore year of study in good academic standing and demonstrate both drive and need for one academic year, per standards of Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Pete Chiericozzi, a native of McDowell County, West Virginia, came to Huntington to study at Marshall and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. He had a long and successful career in the paper industry and retired from the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. His wife, Barbara, a Huntington native, graduated from Miami University with a degree in nursing. The couple aspires to provide students with opportunities to advance and enhance their life’s potential while also honoring the Chiericozzi family and Wallace Bruce, Barbara Chiericozzi’s late father.

“There are many chapters in one’s life – church, family, where one grows up, schools, the path and profession one follows when they finish their education, community involvement – they are all important as they contribute to who one is,” Pete Chiericozzi said. “We have chosen to invest and support each of these. With this in mind, we chose to support Marshall University for its role in opening opportunities for me after graduation.”

The Chiericozzis encourage students to commit to graduation, appreciate people on the journey, be willing to hear all sides of issues and encourage civil debate. They want students to know John Marshall’s history and the role he played in the separation of powers, to become lifelong learners, encourage others’ dreams, be active in the community and realize that as citizens of the United States, engagement is essential for the country’s welfare.

“The fact that the scholarship recipients are first-generation students to attend college says a lot about their family–their parents or grandparents either chose or did not have the resources to attend college. These students have made the choice to attend; part one accomplished,” said Pete Chiericozzi. “Part two is that a scholarship may provide the necessary funds to allow them to attend. The student then takes their place in society, better equipped to contribute to a better world and to provide opportunities for themselves and others.”

For information regarding the Chiericozzi- Bruce Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.

Ohio Valley Bank is one of 13 new members welcomed into the Marshall University Foundation Inc.’s President’s Circle Society this fall.

Recognizing individuals and organizations that have lifetime giving ranging from $100,000 to $250,000, the President’s Circle is one of six lifetime giving societies that the foundation recognizes.

“Ohio Valley Bank continually supports Marshall University’s growth. They are dedicated to providing opportunities so that students can obtain a higher education and they continue to support our facilities because they understand the impact they have on our communities,” said Dr. Ron Area, chief executive officer of the Marshall University Foundation. “We are grateful for their continued partnership and loyalty to educate our next generation.”

Earlier this year, Ohio Valley Bank made a $50,000 gift to support the new College of Business facility. In 2013, they established the Ohio Valley Bank Scholarship, which supports sophomore, junior or senior students from Mason County, West Virginia, and Gallia and Meigs Counties in Ohio who attend Marshall University’s Mid-Ohio Valley Center in Point Pleasant. They have supported School of Medicine initiatives and the Marshall University Alumni Association, as well.

“On behalf of the 300+ community bankers at Ohio Valley Bank, I want to thank Marshall University and President Gilbert for this incredible honor. We work every day to put Community First. We look at every donation as an investment, an investment to improve the communities where we live and work,” said Ohio Valley Bank Chairman of the Board and CEO Tom Wiseman. “This commitment to Marshall University is our investment in the next generation of community leaders that will help our hometowns not only survive but thrive. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your success. Go Herd!”

There are 497 individuals and organizations across the six societies. Lifetime giving is calculated at the end of each fiscal year. To view all of the Marshall University’s lifetime giving societies and members, please visit www.marshall.edu/foundation.

The Marshall University Foundation Inc., hosted its first holiday card design competition in conjunction with Marshall University’s School of Art and Design.

With the task of drawing their favorite place on campus for the foundation’s annual holiday card, students created vibrant autumn scenes and spectacular hues of hope to send warm visuals of gratitude to the university’s donors.

“For the students who participated, this is a real-world, working artist situation,” said Frederick Bartolovic, interim director of the School of Art and Design. “Students were asked to develop an artwork that depicted a seasonal fall theme and were presented with a deadline for when they needed to complete the project, using virtually any medium or material. For students, this was an opportunity to have a piece of artwork published, a moment when they can get their name out there and build their student portfolio with a project that will make a lasting impression. We are thankful to everyone who participated in this year’s holiday card competition.”

The School of Art and Design narrowed down the entries and sent them to the Marshall University Foundation to choose the winners. The top three choices were awarded a monetary prize.

Tia Walkup, a sophomore art education major from Greenbrier County, West Virginia, was named the first-place winner. Her design, “A Cultured Autumn” depicted the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center and Playhouse, as she believes it is “one of the most unique places to be in the cold, fall months because of the beautiful foggy windows and lights inside.” Walkup’s design will be featured on the annual holiday card for the Marshall University Foundation.

Second place winner Ali Smith, a junior art and psychology major from Portsmouth, Ohio, designed a piece called “Stained Glass” to remind others that “even during hard times, there is still beauty.” After reviewing Smith’s design, the Office of Annual Giving chose to feature it on its holiday card.

Baylee Grueser, a sophomore who is undecided within the School of Art and Design and a native of Racine, Ohio, received the third-place prize for her submission titled “Gather.” Featuring a Celtic knot border for the lack of starting and finishing points, Grueser’s work reminds others that “we can always find loyalty, faith, friendship and love.”

The Marshall University Foundation is hopeful to make the holiday card competition an annual event and is thankful for the students who participated.

“We were elated to see the concepts that students submitted in our first holiday card competition,” said Kristin Rhodes, program director of foundation communications. “With the goal of taking campus to our donors in a year where many were unable to visit, we believe that the images our talented students created will remind others of how grateful our Marshall family is for one another and the importance they play in helping us rise.”

For information about the Marshall University Foundation, please visit www.marshall.edu/foundation. For more information about the School of Art and Design, please visit www.marshall.edu/art.