#GivingTuesday gives to West Virginia Residents #GivingTuesday, a purely social media based event that began in 2012, is dedicated to philanthropy and community voluntarism. It follows Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. On December 1, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, a Marshall alum, issued a proclamation at the Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall declaring the Tuesday after Cyber Monday to be #GivingTuesday in the city of Huntington. “#GivingTuesday gives us an opportunity to do that which we know isn’t just necessary, but our responsibility,” Mayor Williams stated. “Those of us who attended this university have a gift that was provided to us that keeps on giving. Frankly, those who spent a moment on this campus had their lives changed forever. #GivingTuesday gives us the opportunity to change other people’s lives.” Gifts received on #GivingTuesday were directed to the Marshall University Foundation Grant for West Virginia Students, a need-based fund for in-state student residents. The foundation received gifts totaling nearly $18,250. Of those gifts, $7,350 went to the Marshall University Foundation Grant for West Virginia Students account. The remaining $10,900 in gifts were designated, by donors, to support other areas. “We often note how proud we are of our Marshall alumni and friends and their generosity, and we are ecstatic over receiving many thoughtful gifts,” said Griffin Talbott, program director of the Annual Fund. “Every gift makes a difference. Thank you for participating in #GivingTuesday and for believing in Marshall.” Various students, board members and donors contributed on #GivingTuesday by explaining why they give, or how private gifts affect them. Messages of appreciation can be found on the Marshall University Foundation’s Facebook page. This year’s #GivingTuesday date is December 6, 2016. A Message from the Chief Executive Officer of the Marshall University Foundation As we begin a new year with a new president in a newly named Foundation Hall, it is remarkable to look back at how far we, as an institution, have come. The goals that we have achieved and milestones we have celebrated are because of visionaries like you who foresaw Marshall’s needs to better accommodate and advance our tristate area. Your vision and support have turned yesterday’s dreams into today’s realities. Six years ago, we were moving into the Foundation Hall, a place that many said was only a dream. Throughout the past six years, we have expanded our staff and increased our fundraising goal. This building is here because visionaries saw the need for the Foundation and Alumni Association to have a home so we could excel at continued university development. On October 30, The Marshall University Foundation publicly announced the commitment of an eight-figure gift from Brad and Alys Smith. Through this game-changing gift, the Brad and Alys Smith Family Scholarship was also established. The scholarship will assist West Virginia and Ohio students attending Marshall. With this gift, the Foundation Hall became the Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall. The gift from Brad and Alys Smith is transformational, but just as important are the $25, $100, $500 and $1,000 gifts from our alumni and friends. Each year, we receive these gifts, and they are the backbone of all giving to the university. On January 16, Dr. Jerome Gilbert officially began his role as Marshall University’s 37th president. Dr. Gilbert and his wife, Leigh, moved to Huntington in January and are already becoming active members of the Huntington and Marshall communities. We are excited to see how Marshall will excel under Dr. Gilbert’s leadership. 2015 provided partnerships, new facilities, program expansion and generous giving from our alumni and friends. As we consider the ways Marshall is growing, I encourage you to ask yourself, “If this is today, what is tomorrow?” Continue to be a part of Marshall’s future. Stay interested, involved and support her in multiple ways. Thank you for your support and dedication. Ronald G. Area Chief Executive Officer, Marshall University Foundation