519 JOHN MARSHALL DRIVE HUNTINGTON, WV 25703 P 304.696.6264 WWW.MARSHALL.EDU/FOUNDATION MANAGING EDITOR: KRISTIN RHODES GRATITUDE Articles of WINTER 2018 Chronicling Greatness Over the past year, the Marshall University Foundation has worked to link its recent publications and news releases to its website. Our online exclusives, Artifacts of Appreciation, a monthly publication about outstanding Marshall students, and our new, quarterly Donor Spotlight can be accessed anytime. Following our social media accounts will ensure you never miss anything new on our website. Look us up! @marshallfoundation @mufoundation @themufoundation Continued on next page > For the Love of Marshall There is something special about Marshall University. The close-knit community, deeply rooted in traditions and integrated throughout the Tri-State, welcomes thousands of new students annually. These students choose to attend Marshall for various reasons- its proximity to home, they felt at home on their visit to the Huntington campus or because the family atmosphere appeals to them. The reasons students choose to attend Marshall and fall in love with the university throughout the years are still the same today. Rob and Johnna Coats both grew up in Huntington, West Virginia. Attending Huntington East High School, the couple met when they were sixteen. “We were elected the Sweetheart Couple our senior year,” said Johnna. “Ever since, we have been desperately in love!” After graduation, Johnna enrolled at Marshall University to pursue her business degree while Rob moved to Blacksburg, Virginia, to pursue an engineering degree at Virginia Tech. Like many of today’s students, Johnna chose to attend Marshall to be close to home and stay with her friends. While the university was far from what it is now, students still enjoyed the beauty of the Huntington campus and activities it hosted. “Smith Hall was brand new. The old Student Union was such a quaint and fun hangout! Being Greek was very popular,” explained Johnna, adding that she could easily walk across campus to all of her classes. “Now, campus has spread out so much. I am proud of all the efforts to make our campus competitive with other schools.” Rob and Johnna have been involved in many areas of the university. Johnna has served on the Marshall University Foundation Board of Directors. She and Rob have named the Coats Conference Room within the Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall, but the area of contribution the couple is most proud of is their scholarship. The Lavona F. Culp Scholarship was established in honor of Johnna’s grandmother.