SENATE RESOLUTION 19

(By Senators Plymale, Takubo, Grady, Maynard, Queen, Woelfel, Hamilton, and Maroney)

[Introduced January 30, 2024]

Designating January 31, 2024, as Marshall University Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, Marshall University has been an institution of advanced learning and innovation since its founding in 1837; and

Whereas, The Marshall University Alumni Association represents more than 120,000 graduates and champions the impassioned involvement of alumni chapters growing across the nation whose membership plays a vital role in recruiting and mentoring students, raises crucial funds for scholarships, and engages in university fellowship and support of all academic and athletic programs; and

Whereas, Marshall University alumni include admirals and generals, governors, Fortune 500 CEOs, Emmy/Tony/Pulitzer Prize Award winners, doctors, lawyers, scientists, educators, professional athletes and coaches, Heisman Trophy finalists and Hall of Fame inductees; and

Whereas, Marshall University’s purpose as “a prosperity platform” that accelerates success and serves as a creator of solutions when it comes to building the next generation of Appalachian leaders, turning ideas into reality, retaining our state’s top talent, and helping our small towns and communities grow; and

Whereas, Marshall has several forward-focused centers of excellence including aviation, health care, cyber security and forensics, energy, advanced manufacturing, and entrepreneurship to offer students the opportunity for in-demand careers here at home; and

Whereas, Marshall’s high research activity designates it as a Carnegie R2 research institution, a distinction that less than six percent of our nation’s universities can claim, Marshall advances new discoveries and innovations that provide our students and our communities with leading edge skills and capabilities; and

Whereas, Marshall University opened the new Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation, the anchor for Marshall’s Innovation District which will be a $250 million transformational new mixed-use district, strategically located between Downtown Huntington and Marshall University to serve as a national hub for cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and job creation; and

Whereas, The newly integrated Marshall Health Network is among the largest private employers in the State of West Virginia, providing annually 850,000 patient hospital visits and nearly 1.2 million outpatient visits as well as contractual health care services across West Virginia with specialization in 116 areas of care including addiction and behavioral medicine, gerontology, and healthy aging; obesity and diabetes; and rural health and primary care; and

Whereas, The Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University trains the next generation of physicians, scientists, and physician assistants to advance health care in West Virginia through innovation, research, and service, and provides advanced training through 28 residency and fellowship programs dedicated to training physicians to meet the needs of West Virginia’s rural communities; and  

Whereas, The Marshall University Students Veterans of America Chapter was recently recognized as the nation’s top chapter by the Student Veterans of America organization, an entity centered on providing support for student veterans through its mission to act as a catalyst for student success by providing resources, network support to, through and beyond higher education; and  

Whereas, Marshall University will officially open Jack Cook Field as its new on-campus baseball complex on March 1, 2024, to serve as the home venue for the Thundering Herd and boost tourism and economic development for the university and the city of Huntington; and

 Whereas, The nationally recognized Marshall University Men’s Soccer team, coached by Chris Grassie, won the 2023 Sun Belt Championship, and entered the NCAA Tournament as the No.1overall seed; and

Whereas, Parkersburg native Abby Herring became Marshall’s First Female Cross

Country National Qualifier and competed in the Division I Cross Country National Championships; and

Whereas, The 38^th President of Marshall University President Brad D. Smith’s vision for Marshall University is Marshall for All, Marshall Forever, signaling an inclusive prosperity platform that accelerates the success of any individual with the aspiration and determination to try.  Marshall for All, Marshall Forever recognizes learning is a lifelong pursuit that demands affordable and accessible options that provide continuous access to in-demand knowledge through on-demand choices; and

Whereas, Marshall University has a 14-to-1 return on investment and is an important economic engine to West Virginia, specifically by accelerating economic impact through workforce readiness and job creation; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates January 31, 2024, as Marshall University Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate hereby recognizes Marshall University for its tremendous contributions to the State of West Virginia; and be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Mr. Brad D. Smith, President of Marshall University.