Month: January 2025

The Marshall University Foundation has announced that the Valhalla Foundation, a California-based nonprofit, has gifted a multi-million-dollar grant to support the Marshall For All program.

A portion of the funds will support Marshall For All scholarships, while the remaining funds will be allocated to a dedicated Marshall For All research project focused on data collection and metric analysis.

“I have often said education is the great equalizer, and with the incredible generosity of the Valhalla Foundation we are that much closer to achieving the success of our Marshall For All objectives,” said Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall University. “With the help of this grant, we will be able to dream bigger, deliver faster and define excellence. The Valhalla Foundation’s impact will echo for years to come.”

The Valhalla Foundation focuses on driving measurable, meaningful improvement in outcomes that matter to people and our planet, and is a long-term funder of efforts to improve public education.

“This gift is a tremendous step toward completing our Marshall For All vision,” said Nico Karagosian, president and CEO of the Marshall University Foundation. “This contribution will create lasting change and will be instrumental in not only supporting our students, but also gaining insights into the future impact and outcomes of this program. We are deeply honored by the Valhalla Foundation’s philanthropic spirit toward this initiative.”

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 Smith in 2022, launched in the fall of 2023 with new first-year West Virginians and metro area students with great success. Now in its second year, the university will expand the program over the next decade with the goal of relieving student debt for all Marshall students by 2037.

The Marshall University Foundation has announced Bowles Rice, a regional law firm with offices in West Virginia, Virginia and Pennsylvania, has donated $15,000 toward the Marshall For All program.

“At Bowles Rice, our longstanding mission is to contribute to the success of our clients and vitality of our communities through advocacy, counsel, leadership and service,” said Marc Monteleone, managing partner of Bowles Rice and president of the Bowles Rice Foundation. “We are proud to support the Marshall For All program and its innovative efforts to end student debt with a donation from the Bowles Rice Foundation.”

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 with great success. Now in its second year, the university will expand the program over the next decade with the goal of relieving student debt for all Marshall students by 2037.

“The Marshall For All program aligns perfectly with the goals of our firm’s mission,” said Richie Heath, a partner at Bowles Rice. “The university’s commitment to making higher education more accessible is vital to building a stronger, more affordable future for the next generation of West Virginians.”

Bowles Rice is a professional service organization, contributing to the success of its clients and the vitality of its communities through advocacy, counsel, leadership and service.

The firm was founded in Charleston, West Virginia, in 1920 by three lawyers engaged in the general practice of law. Through success, expansion and merger, it has grown to become a full-service law firm with more than 100 attorneys serving clients in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia – and throughout the nation – from six strategically located, regional offices.

Major Alston, a highly accomplished fundraising executive with more than 20 years of experience, has been named vice president and chief development officer of the Marshall University Foundation.

Alston serves as the university’s senior officer for philanthropy, working closely with university leaders and volunteers to guide the work of philanthropy. Alston began his tenure Nov. 18.

“It is a great privilege to join the Marshall University family,” Alston said. “I’ve been impressed by the dedication and determination of the Foundation staff, and I’m eager to play a part in Marshall’s future success. This is an exciting time to be part of the Herd.”

Alston formerly served as senior associate vice president of advancement and campaign director at Ohio University, where he led a development team of 30 in their effort to launch the largest comprehensive campaign in university history.

Prior to his tenure at Ohio University, Alston served at the University of Cincinnati as assistant vice president for regional development, where he was responsible for development and alumni engagement for the west coast.

“I am beyond thrilled to welcome Major into the Marshall community,” said Nico Karagosian, president and CEO of the Marshall University Foundation. “Major and I have worked together for the better part of a decade at other institutions and his grit and expertise will make him a tremendous asset to our team.”

A native of Clearwater Florida, Alston began his career in higher education fundraising at University of South Florida, where he served as director of development. He was an integral member of the university’s successful completion of the $600 million USF Unstoppable Campaign. Alston earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Florida.

Marshall University has announced a gift of $100,000 bequeathed by Martha Sedinger Reese to support the Matthew A. Reese Jr. and Martha Sedinger Reese Scholarship. Named for her and her late husband, both were 1950 graduates of then-Marshall College. Martha Sedinger Reese died in September 2024. 

The scholarship, originally named the Matthew A. Reese Jr. Scholarship, was established in 1997. In that time, 28 students have been awarded the scholarship amounting to nearly $60,000.  

“My mother is smiling down knowing that her last gift will help deserving students further their education,” said Tim Reese, son and Huntington native. “She was a third generation Marshall alum and so proud of the new direction and spirit on campus. I am, too.” 

Tim Reese presented the check to President Brad D. Smith with Nico Karagosian, president and CEO of the Marshall University Foundation, and Matt Rowsey, director of philanthropy for the Marshall University Foundation in attendance. 

“We’re incredibly thankful to Martha Reese and the entire Reese family for their generous $100,000 gift to support their scholarship at Marshall University,” Smith said. “This gift will make a tremendous difference in the lives of many of our students, and we’re so thankful for the Reese family and their continued support and dedication to our university.” 

Matthew Anderson “Matt” Reese Jr. was born on Aug. 9, 1927, in Huntington. He graduated from Marshall in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War. In 1960, Matt Reese coordinated a significant volunteer campaign that helped President John F. Kennedy win the West Virginia primary and managed Kennedy’s general election campaign in North Carolina. He later served as deputy chairman for the Democratic National Committee and directed President Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1964 voter registration efforts, which are still considered highly successful. 

In 1966, he founded Matt Reese & Associates, one of the first political consulting firms in the nation. He worked with more than 200 Democratic candidates, including Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, Sen. John Glenn and Sen. Jay Rockefeller. His innovative campaign strategies, known as the “Instant Organization,” revolutionized political campaigning in the U.S. Matt Reese was a mentor to many Democratic operatives and a founder and Hall of Fame inductee of the American Association of Political Consultants. He also lectured extensively and was a fellow at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Matt Reese passed away on Dec. 1, 1998. 

Martha Sedinger Reese was born on Feb.21, 1928, in Jewell Ridge, Virginia. Her family moved to Huntington in 1936. She graduated from Marshall in January 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She married Matt Reese on April 14, 1950. Throughout their 48-year marriage, she raised three children, moved six times, and hosted numerous events. She served as the chief archivist for her husband’s campaign papers, which are now stored in the Marshall University Special Collections. Martha Reese was a passionate Democrat and supporter of women’s rights. 

“We are thrilled the work Matt and Martha Reese invested in the state of West Virginia, and beyond, will continue with the expansion of this scholarship and its recipients,” Karagosian said. “Marshall’s liberal arts program is vital to the university’s furthered success.” 

The recipient of the scholarship must be a West Virginia native who has graduated from a West Virginia public high school. First preference is given to a full-time student in the College of Liberal Arts who has demonstrated sustained involvement in the political life of their community on behalf of progressive causes, organizations or candidates that are concerned with issues of peace, justice or social welfare. 

The award is renewable up to four years, or eight semesters, if the recipient maintains good academic standing of 3.0 GPA or higher. The dean of the College of Liberal Arts, or their designee, selects the recipient and renews the award in cooperation with the Office of Student Financial Assistance.  

“My parents had a passion for progressive politics and wanted to seed a scholarship that rewarded West Virginians in the work on issues associated with peace, justice and social welfare,” Tim Reese said. “Mom and dad loved Marshall, and this scholarship is their legacy to our state’s future.” 

For information regarding the Matthew A. Reese Jr. and Martha Sedinger Reese Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.