b'A Message from the ChiefStronger Together Executive Officer of The Drs. Touma have been instrumental in helping Marshall rise. Since 2006, they have the Marshall Universityprovided incoming medical students with stethoscopes. They have established the Touma Foundation Foundation Scholarship to ease the burden of medical students expenses, the Touma Scholarship for Hearing Impaired and the Joseph and Omayma Touma Scholarship for In the midst of challenges, we grow strongerminority students in the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. together. During this pandemic, we have particularly found this to be true of ourOmayma is the one who suggested and convinced me to start this scholarship for gracious Marshall family.medical students. She has a loving, charitable heart and I give her credit for most of our charitable activities, said Joe. The most important component of being a scholarship This week, we welcome students back todonor is to see our scholarship recipients become successful men and women who, in our vibrant campus. I am excited to seeturn, commit to helping other people and Marshall.the energy pulsating around the Memorial Student Center and within our academicOmayma, who was an associate professor for public health for five years at the Joan facilities. I am excited to hear the stories ofC. Edwards School of Medicine, is the retired medical director of the Cabell Huntington our students who are studying virtually andHealth Department, where she worked for 12 years. During her tenure, Omayma was how they navigate this trial. instrumental in passing the Clean Indoor regulation for Huntington and Cabell County.She has served on the Society of Yeager Scholars Board of Directors and the H.E.L.P. My heart is particularly heavy for thoseBoard of Advisors. The couple is also actively involved with other civic and charitable students who have faced unimaginableorganizations.difficulties; who have dropped courses because of internet service issues, financialTheir service to Marshall and the Huntington community has resulted in many accolades. reasons or learning barriers; who have facedMost recently in 2019, they were inducted into the June Harless Center for Rural unemployment and those who are lookingEducation Research and Development Hall of Fame, part of Marshall Universitys for ways to put food on their tables. They areCollege of Education and Professional Development, for their contributions to West trying their hardest to push through and tryVirginias educational system. In 2015, they were honored by the Joan C. Edwards to grasp a bit of normalcy and achieve theirSchool of Medicine with the establishment of the Drs. Joseph B. and Omayma T. Touma dreams in the chaos of this storm. Excellence in Diversity Lifetime Achievement Award, an award in which the School of Medicines Multicultural Advisory Committee recognizes individuals annually who And then comes you. Your generosity hasdemonstrate commitment and outstanding efforts to create a diverse and inclusive enabled students to worry less about theircommittee. In 2001, the Lewis College of Business honored the Drs. Touma by inducting financial burden. Through scholarships andthem into their Hall of Fame. gifts to the student emergency funds, you have covered the cost of tuition, books andI love many things about Marshall. First and foremost, educating the next generation school supplies. You have given studentsin an area that needs a good, higher education institution with a big heart. I love access to Marcos Meal Share so they canthe Marshall Artists Series, which brings Broadway and other exciting shows right eat on campus and you have even providedto our city, and the dedicated and intellectual faculty that add to the richness of our well-balanced foods to the food pantry socommunity, Joe said.that students have various meal options.Together, the Toumas encourage students to study hard, have fun, graduate and help While we stand in amazement at yourthe next generation. Their greatest hope for their legacy is that they can provide students compassion, this is not out of the ordinary.access to higher education, which lifts them from poverty and hopelessness.You have always seen the value of educating future generations and the countless ways they will affect the world. It has always beenOur greatest hope is for education to be more accessible your vision and belief that Marshall prepares all students for greatness in their communitiesand affordable. Higher education levels the playing field. and in the workforce that allows us to upliftHigher education needs the government and donor our Sons and Daughters and help them achieve their goals.Thank you for being thesupport. It makes our community better, stronger and more heart of our caring community.equitable.Best wishes and stay safe,Ron AreaChief Executive OfficerMarshall University Foundation, Inc.'