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The Marshall University Foundation has announced that George W. Boley has established the Helen Nickles Boley Dietetics and Nutrition Scholarship in memory of his late wife.

Helen Nickles Boley graduated from St. Joseph Central Catholic High School and Marshall University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics in 1970, and a master’s degree in secondary education in 1984.

Nickles Boley was an educator and enriched many young lives before retiring from the Cabell County school system after 34 years. Her passion in teaching was the field of home economics with an emphasis on food and nutrition, fashion design and helping students develop healthy lifestyle skills. She also enjoyed life by traveling internationally, exploring different cultures and living life to the fullest with her loved ones.

“It was a joy for her when students let her know how much they enjoyed her class and that it made a difference in their lives.” George W. Boley said.

The recipients will be full-time dietetics or nutrition majors in the College of Health Professions, a resident of West Virginia, and in good academic standing with a 3.0 or higher and have financial need per standards of the Office of Student Financial Assistance.  First preference will be given to residents of Cabell or Greenbrier counties.

The award will be 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 Health Professions, or their designee, will select the recipient and renew the award in cooperation with the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

For information regarding the Helen Nickles Boley Dietetics and Nutrition Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.


The Marshall University Foundation has announced a gift of $1 million bequeathed by Rosemarie J. Bonnington toward the Alexander “Doug” Bonnington Greatest Needs Fund in honor of her late husband.

“We are sincerely grateful for Rosemarie Bonnington and her commitment to her husband’s legacy as this $1 million gift is an investment in the future of Marshall University,” said Nico Karagosian, president and CEO of the Marshall University Foundation. “It empowers us to address our most pressing needs and seek new opportunities, ensuring that our students, faculty and staff continue to thrive.”

Doug Bonnington was born in Modesto, California, and graduated from Marshall University in 1947 with degrees in English and mathematics. He served during World War II as a U.S. Army Air Force bombardier. He spent 37 years with Ashland Oil Company’s Valvoline Oil Division. He died in 2013 at the age of 87.

Rosemarie Bonnington was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1931 and her family moved to Chile after World War II. She opened Swisshelm Realty in 1983 with her first husband, Jim Swisshelm. Swisshelm died in 1991 and in 2002 Rosemarie Bonnington married Doug Bonnington, who encouraged her to continue with Swisshelm Realty. She died in 2019 at the age of 87.

The board-designated, quasi-endowment was made through a bequest to the Marshall University Foundation from Rosemarie Bonnington’s estate upon its final administration. Once endowed, the income, determined by the spending policy established by the Marshall University Foundation Board of Directors, will be appropriated by the Foundation’s board as part of the annual budget allocation process.

To learn more about planned giving, visit marshall.mylegacygift.org/.