Month: October 2025

The Marshall University Foundation has announced its year-end totals for fiscal year 2025 with a historic $80.4 million in new gifts and commitments.

The total is the largest in the Foundation’s history. The Foundation also received $32.8 million in pledge and cash payments, a 70 percent increase over the previous year.

“This is more than a fundraising milestone — it’s a movement,” said Nico Karagosian, president and CEO of the Marshall University Foundation and senior vice president of advancement for the university. “Our donors are fueling a new era of possibility at Marshall, and the numbers speak volumes.”

The total number of donors for fiscal year 2025 rose to 3,603, an 11 percent increase over fiscal year 2024. In addition, alumni engagement rose by 9 percent, reaching a total of 2,235 alumni donors. First-time donors also increased significantly by 32 percent.

Marshall For All, the groundbreaking program introduced by President Brad D. Smith to eliminate student debt, received a significant boost in commitments in fiscal year 2025. Most notably, President Smith and First Lady Alys Smith gifted $50 million to Marshall For All in September 2025. This transformational gift is the largest in university history and the largest by a sitting university president to their own institution.

Other contributions to Marshall For All include $5 million from the Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Charitable Foundation and $8.9 million in grants.

“This record-breaking year is a tribute to the Foundation’s strategic leadership and the trust they’ve cultivated across our community,” President Smith said. “The Foundation has become a national model for transparency, innovation and impact. Their work is not just raising dollars — it’s raising expectations for what a university can accomplish when philanthropy is aligned with purpose.”

The Foundation also received a $1 million bequest from Rosemarie Bonnington to establish the Alexander “Doug” Bonnington Greatest Needs Fund, which allows the university to address its most pressing needs and seek new opportunities in support of students, faculty and staff.

In addition to these commitments, the Foundation’s engagement efforts highlighted the power of collective giving. The fourth annual Day of Giving: 1837 Minutes for Marshall united the community for 30 hours of storytelling and philanthropy, generating a record $275,189. More importantly, the event drew the highest number of donors in its history, proving that contributions of every size come together to create a lasting impact on Marshall’s future.

“Every gift, no matter the size, is advancing Marshall forward,” Karagosian said. “These gifts and the support of our donors and alumni help us scale student support, elevate faculty excellence and invest in the long-term vitality of our university.”

Funds raised by the Foundation support scholarships, endowed positions, research and capital projects, while strengthening the university’s endowment and long-term financial health.

For more information about the Marshall University Foundation and its impact, visit formarshallu.org or marshall.edu.

Marshall University has announced its 2025 Homecoming schedule, featuring a week of fun and engaging events for students, alumni and the community. The theme this year is “Wheel of Thunder,” a nod to Grand Marshal Jim Thornton, a Marshall alum and the voice of “Wheel of Fortune” and “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.”

The Homecoming game is set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, against Texas State University at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

“Homecoming is always such a special time for our students, alumni and the entire Marshall community to come together and celebrate what it means to be part of the Herd,” said Buffy Six, communications coordinator for the Division of Student Affairs. “This year, we’re looking forward to some of our most treasured traditions — like the Unity Walk and announcing Marshall Royalty at halftime — along with new events we’ve planned for everyone to enjoy throughout the week. We’re also thrilled to welcome families to campus for Parent and Family Weekend and can’t wait to see our students and their loved ones decked out in Kelly green, experiencing all that Marshall has to offer.”

The Marshall University Alumni Association looks forward to welcoming alumni back and celebrating the important role they play in the university’s growth and success.

“Homecoming is a time to celebrate the connections that tie generations of the Marshall community together,” said Walker Tatum, director of alumni engagement. “This year’s theme, ‘Wheel of Thunder,’ honors the work of Jim Thornton, our grand marshal, and we know alumni will enjoy the wide variety of events planned throughout the week. From campus activities to downtown celebrations, Homecoming offers a chance to reconnect, reminisce and experience all that makes Marshall special.”

Please see a full list of events and activities below:

Monday, Oct. 13

The week kicks off at 5 p.m. with the Unity Walk, inviting students, faculty, staff, organizations and community members to march from the Marshall Recreation Center to the Memorial Student Center Plaza in a show of Marshall pride. Following the walk, the Homecoming Court will be announced.

Tuesday, Oct. 14

Voting for Homecoming Court will take place in the MSC Lobby.

Men’s Soccer takes on Oakland University at 7:15 p.m. at Hoops Family Field at Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex.

Wednesday, Oct. 15

From noon to 3 p.m., the ACE Center will close out Hispanic Heritage Month with its first-ever Salsa Making Competition on the MSC Plaza, hosted by Chef Izzy Cross from Huntington’s Kitchen.

Meet Jim at Jim’s! Thornton will host a meet and greet at Jim’s Steak and Spaghetti House from 6:30-8:30 p.m. to connect with Herd fans.

Thursday, Oct. 16

The day begins with the Alumni Association’s annual Office Decorating Contest from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., where departments and offices across campus will showcase their Herd pride. Prizes will be awarded in multiple categories, with winners announced during Friday’s bonfire. That evening, alumni and friends can enjoy the return of Homecoming StamFEED at 5:30 p.m., starting at LaFontaine’s Rooftop Lounge before continuing to several favorite downtown restaurants. Tickets are $75 and may be purchased at https://homecomingstamfeed2025.eventbrite.com.

The excitement continues downtown with Hoops in Huntington at Pullman Square, highlighting Marshall University Athletics. Fans are encouraged to arrive at 6:30 p.m. for an autograph session with the teams, along with family-friendly games, competitions and inflatables, leading into the main program at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 17

WMUL will host its annual Car Bash from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Buskirk Field. Join us as participants pay $1 to bash the car, painted in Texas State University’s colors, with a sledgehammer for two minutes. Sledgehammer, gloves and goggles will be provided.

Party on the Plaza returns from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the MSC Plaza with music, food, games, giveaways and more. The event is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the community, and is hosted by the Marshall University Huntington Alumni Chapter.

Parent and Family Weekend begins at noon with check-in, and will close at 7 p.m. For those set to attend, stop by the MSC Lobby to receive your T-shirts, meal tickets and information about the weekend’s activities. For more information, email Dr. Gabe Brown at brownga@marshall.edu.

Women’s Volleyball faces the University of Louisiana at Monroe twice during the week — first at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Cam Henderson Center, and again at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17. Marshall Softball will also compete at home against the University of Charleston at 5 p.m. Friday.

The Homecoming parade, sponsored by Xfinity, will march down the streets of Huntington at 6 p.m., featuring Thornton as grand marshal. Thornton, a Huntington native, has served as the announcer for “Wheel of Fortune” since 2011. A storied career in broadcast news and voice work, Thornton was previously the co-anchor for KNX 1070 Newsradio in Los Angeles. Beyond his work as an anchor and announcer, Thornton has multiple voice acting credits to his name. Most notably, his voice was featured in the 2001 Pixar film, “Monsters Inc.” and “Let’s Pollute!,” which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Film, Animated in 2011.

The parade will begin on Fourth Avenue at 10th Street and travel east to Hal Greer Boulevard, where it will move up to Fifth Avenue and continue east to 17th Street at Harless Dining Hall. For those who are unable to attend the Homecoming parade in person, a livestream of the event may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/marshallu.

The annual bonfire, also sponsored by Xfinity, is scheduled to take place immediately following the parade at Harless Field (located between Harless Dining Hall and City National Bank). Announcements will be made for the winners of the Office Decorating Contest and the parade floats. There will also be special appearances by coaches, players, cheerleaders and more.

At 8 p.m., Marshall University Black Alumni will host its Hall of Fame ceremony in Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall. Honorees include Steve Robinson, Sylvia Ridgeway, Wendy Thomas, Elouise Baker, Charles Meyers and Damone Williams. The cocktail hour will begin at 7 p.m. For more information, email mubahalloffame@gmail.com.

Closing out Friday night, the Silent Disco returns from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Don Morris Room of the MSC.

Saturday, Oct. 18

The Marshall University Alumni Tailgate is set for 12:30 p.m. Sponsored by Xfinity and Woodlands Retirement Community, the tailgate will take place at 317 20th St. in the parking lot between the Rec Center and the Sorrell Maintenance Building. The tailgate is hosted jointly by the Alumni Association and Marshall University Black Alumni. The tailgate features food, drinks, music and special guest appearances. Tickets are $20. To purchase, visit https://muaatailgate2025.eventbrite.com.

The Parent and Family Weekend Tailgate is from noon to 3 p.m. between Freshman North and South dormitories. Tickets are required and can be purchased here.

The Thundering Herd will take on Texas State University at 3:30 p.m. at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. During halftime, Homecoming Royalty will be crowned on the field.

The annual Greek Stroll-Off Competition is set for 8 p.m. at Marco’s in the lower level of the MSC.

To read the full list of Homecoming events and activities, visit https://www.marshall.edu/homecoming/events and https://www.formarshallu.org/events/homecoming-2025/.