“Marshall is more than a 4-year university; it’s an experience that lasts beyond a student’s short time on campus,” said Rebecca Turnbull, a graduate of the Society of Yeager Scholars James and Verna Gibson Class of 2018. The broadcast journalism and public relations major will start a new journey this fall when she begins studying at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law as a recipient of the full-tuition Eminent Scholarship. However, she won’t be leaving Marshall University far behind in her mind. “Marshall really is a family,” Rebecca explained. “I will be leaving this campus for future opportunities knowing that I have professors who personally care about my success, mentors who want to help me beyond my studies at Marshall and friends who will eagerly support me in anything I do.” The Bridgeport, West Virginia, native chose to attend Marshall as a recipient of the Yeager Scholarship and because of the big opportunities she saw available within a relatively small campus. “You get to cultivate your abilities in small class sizes and organizations, and then you apply those abilities to jobs, internships and study-abroad opportunities offered all across the world that are promoted and supported by Marshall,” she said. In addition to the Yeager Scholarship, Rebecca is the recipient of other privately funded scholarships and is currently active in extracurricular activities like the Presidential Ambassadors and MU Report, a student-produced newscast. She also just finished working as a part-time legislative reporter for West Virginia Public Broadcasting. She credits scholarship contributions for allowing her these opportunities that would not have been available if she had to work a job to cover the cost of college. “I have been able to capitalize on internships, involvements, leadership roles, volunteer opportunities and much more,” said Rebecca. “By fulfilling my financial needs, scholarships allow me to improve my work ethic and determination to succeed, with my donors cheering me on the whole way.” Rebecca credits Marshall University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications’ well-rounded curriculum for teaching marketable job skills in online, broadcast, digital and print journalism and providing leadership opportunities to prepare her for the workforce. She added that Dan Hollis is her favorite professor. “His number-one priority is not to help students get good grades, but to help them have good, successful lives, even beyond Marshall’s campus,” she explained. Her favorite place on the Huntington campus is outside the front door of Old Main facing 4th Avenue’s path through downtown, because of the united feeling of campus and community the view brings. “Huntington is America’s best- kept secret. To most, it’s a small city that runs along the Ohio River, but it’s so much more than that,” explains Rebecca. “In Huntington, you will find the most supportive, inspiring, appreciative and advancing college community you’ve ever seen.” Her hope is that that college community and Marshall University will continue to grow. “With limited funding due to constant state budget cuts, the cost has fallen to students, whether that’s through paying for more tuition or having to provide our own paper for printing,” she explained. “In the next ten years, I hope to see Marshall having the financial resources it needs to keep tuition affordable, make faculty salaries competitive and provide students with even more opportunities for educational growth both on and off campus.” Scholarships Fund Success In Huntington, you will find the most supportive, inspiring, appreciative and advancing college community you’ve ever seen.