SENATE RESOLUTION 19
(By Senator Fuller)
[Introduced March 3, 2025]
Designating March 4, 2025, 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 and its impassioned alumni chapters across the nation represent more than 120,000 graduates who include admirals and generals, governors, Fortune 500 CEOs, Emmy, Tony, and 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 prosperity platform accelerates success and serves as a creator of solutions when it comes to building the next generation of Appalachian leaders, by 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 strong research activity drives new discoveries and innovations that equip our students and West Virginia communities with cutting-edge skills and capabilities, earning the university a prestigious Carnegie R2 designation, an achievement held by less than 6 percent of universities nationwide; and
Whereas, Marshall University is actively building a $250 million transformational new mixed-use innovation district anchored by the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation, to create jobs and to serve as home of the nation’s second Center of Excellence Institute for Cybersecurity and home to Marshall’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, a national renowned center for advanced manufacturing, customized training and apprenticeships; and
Whereas, Marshall Health Network, an academic health system guided by its mission of Advancing Health, Inspiring Hope, and Serving You, stands as one of the largest private employers in the State of West Virginia, providing an elevated level of care across a 40-county region and offering 116 areas of specialty 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 outreach. As a leader in rural health, the School of Medicine provides advanced training through 28 residency and fellowship programs dedicated to training skilled physicians to meet the needs of West Virginia communities; and
Whereas, The Marshall University Student Veterans of America Chapter is known as one of the nation’s top chapters by the Student Veterans of America organization, an entity centered on providing support for student veterans; and
Whereas, Marshall University’s Men’s Soccer program, led by head coach Chris Grassie, defeated No. 1 seed Ohio State and advanced to the National Championship of the NCAA College Cup; and
Whereas, Marshall University’s Football program won the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Championship with a resounding 31-3 victory over Louisiana in the 2024 Hercules Tires SBC Championship Game to finish 10-3 on the season; and
Whereas, All 16 of Marshall’s Athletic programs finished the Fall 2024 semester with a 3.0 Team GPA or above, including Marshall Women’s Swimming and Diving, who was named as a CSCAA Scholar All-America Team for posting a 3.77 Team GPA; and
Whereas, The 38th President of Marshall University President Brad D. Smith’s vision for Marshall University is “Marshall for All, Marshall Forever”, signaling a 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 an 18-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 March 4, 2025, 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.