b'A Message from the Chief ExecutiveThe Art of Giving Back continued > Officer of the Marshall University FoundationIf you are a baseball fan, you know October baseball is different. The game is played the same, but the pitchers seem to throw faster and the batters swing harder. All players strive to play their best game every time they take the field or are up to bat. October baseball is more competitive because there is more at stake.October baseball can be compared to many Marshall students stories. In an ever-changing world, our students are faced with what seems like insurmountable obstacles; faster pitches than ever before. They are first-generation college students, rising from small towns all over West Virginia, across the country and around the world, who have worked hard to continue their education but who are at risk of not achieving their dreams.They face tuition expense curveballs and unpredictable sliders life throws their way, but, because of you, celebrate scholarship home runs.We enjoy helping young people have an opportunity to succeed. We have an appreciation of the written thanks we have received from students over the years, They take risks, stealing extra bases beyond thesaid Sterling. Marshall University is a major part of our community and we want classroom experience, as they search for opportunitiesit to grow. The university attracts people from different areas and helps to expand to become involved and expand their knowledgestudent awareness of the world. We are excited to see all the new programs that through internships, local partnerships or a study abroadinclude our local elementary and high school students.opportunity. With the excitement of the Marshall Rises campaign, the Halls are looking forward Because of you, Marshall University is able to provideto see how the new baseball stadium transforms the Highlawn area of Huntington. our Sons and Daughters quality time in the batting cages, where they are thrown the benefit of real-worldWe feel it is good for Marshall to have a baseball stadium. I lived in Highlawn experiences, in a safe zone where they are encouragedwhen the schools were there, as well as the hospital, and it was a great and motivated to hone their skill set, make some mistakes,neighborhood. Hopefully, this will help turn around the area that has disintegrated, and learn how to think critically; to dust it off and trysaid Rosa Lee.again. They learn how to set their feet, to one day knock it out of the park.The Halls remind students that poor decisions do have consequences, to learn the most from their mistakes and encourage them to establish lifetime goals. They With the announcement of our Marshall Rises campaignhope that the next generation receives a well-rounded education, has a personal at Homecoming, you know that without your invaluablemotivation for work and serves as positive advocates for Marshall University and teamwork, we would not have the great fortune oftheir communities. helping students. Our goal is to increase our student and faculty support, research efforts and to build a home forWe hope that campus expands in research opportunities and in engineering, our baseball team.pharmaceutical and art programs, agreed Sterling and Rosa Lee. We want to see the university progress and expand in any way we can be of service. We are Like October baseball, a campaign goal of thisexcited to see the university progress into many fields and if we can help to be a magnitude will only be accomplished through continuedpart, then that is wonderful."teamwork and keeping our eye on the ball. Our hope is that the university will expand opportunities I want to thank you for your loyalty, vision and support. In this season of gratitude, we are thankful to have you onfor the students to give them a future in multiple avenues of our team.life, professional, as well as personal.Ronald G. AreaChief Executive Officer, Marshall University Foundation'