b'A Message from theFostering Relationships at Marshall > Chief Executive Officer of theMarshall was phenomenal for mentoring students and you will hear this from many Marshall University Foundation of our peers. Jim and I both also enjoyed support from the business leaders in Huntington, said Verna. We learned many things at Marshall as we attended the business school, which was highly regarded in the business world. Our graduates Over the past decade, if you were to visit Marshallwere heavily recruited. University, you would find something new, be it a facility, statue or landmark. Our university is ever changing. ThisThe Gibsons moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, then Columbus, Ohio, as Jim went to work year we celebrate the 58th anniversary of our changeat Fortune 500 companies like Procter and Gamble and Johnson & Johnson. He from Marshall College to Marshall University.remembers applying the concepts he learned in his Principles of Selling class and truly believes they assisted in his success.Reflecting, it is easy to see how alumni transitioned fromJim is a natural relationship builder and sincerely loves people. He has great student to donor and how you perpetually strive to makelistening skills and truly cares about others, explained Verna, recognizing that Jims the university a better place for each generation.sincerity was evident in his business relationships and one of the reasons he was an accomplished businessman. As our Marshall family grows stronger, so do our programs, faculty and initiatives. Working closely withVerna went to work at The Limited Inc. where over a ten-year span she was promoted our family visionaries, we have had the great fortune tonumerous times before becoming the companys chief executive officer. Vernas success strategize for the future and lay ambitious plans that wemade national headlines as she became the first female CEO of a Fortune 500 look forward to achieving together.company. As a business leader, I learned from Marshall the importance of mentoring and Enhancing and restructuring the Lewis College of Businessrelationship building. I have always loved helping my associates grow and succeed. has been a dream for several years. Through a recent giftI spent a great deal of time teaching and developing younger people during my from Marshall alumnus Brad Smith and his wife, Alys, wecareer. No individual can accomplish the same success as a committed team, are now moving forward with expanding the Huntingtonsaid Verna. My career lead me to work in many foreign markets. A more humble campus again, to create a new home for tomorrowsapproach was critical to long-term international relationships and long term businessmen and women. What a testament this is to ourrelationships became the lynchpin of my career.students, university and community. We are committed toUpon retirement, both Jim and Verna have committed themselves to serving Marshall producing and retaining graduates who desire to buildso that Marshall students will have the same opportunities to become successful. Jim economic growth in the Tri-State region. has lent his time and expertise while serving on the Marshall University Foundations Board of Directors, the Society of Yeager Scholars Board of Directors and the Marshall Our students are also becoming more invested inUniversity Alumni Association Board, while Verna has done the same for the Marshall philanthropy to help Marshall and Huntington. ThisUniversity Board of Governors and the Society of Yeager Scholars Board of Directors, generation is striving to be the change that assimilateswhich she once served as president. She will join the Marshall University Foundation the Marshall and Huntington communities into a deeperBoard of Directors this June. Additionally, the couple has established the James E. partnership. We believe their philanthropic effortsGibson Scholarship, the Verna K. LeMasters Gibson Scholarship and have funded an are partially a direct result of your giving. Receivingendowment to support the Yeager Scholars program. The 2018 Society of Yeager Scholars class was named in their honor. scholarships allows students to focus more on their studies and become more active in other organizations acrossWe feel our family scholarships are an important way to give younger people the campus. Studying in facilities that you have graciouslychance to continue their education while experiencing the Marshall family culture, funded to build, renovate or support through maintenanceexplained Verna. is another example where they see your generosity.Her hope for Marshall is that the sense of family and student mentoring progress into Todays students can only recall a university on the risenew opportunities that change the world. because throughout the past decade, we have built aWe are proud of the many achievements at Marshall, but number one is the ability solid foundation for growth. You are providing hopeto maintain the Marshall family. We are thrilled to see the universitys growth in and bestowing inspiration that will provide a new eraengineering, pharmacy and physical therapy, and are elated at the news of a new of excellence that we all desire to see. Together, webusiness school. These are important areas for continued student success, Verna said. are rising to increase our efforts to make our universityReflecting on their Marshall family and the relationships they have nurtured, the and Huntington communities stronger. Together, we willGibsons are thankful for their opportunities to study at and now serve the university. succeed.Jim and I treasure many close friendships from Marshall and continue to add to those relationships. We treasure the words and the deep meaning of We are Marshall.Ronald G. AreaChief Executive Officer, Marshall University Foundation'