LETTER FROM MUAA

A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

WHO’D A THUNK IT?

Greetings, Fellow Alumni and Friends of Marshall University:

If we had told you at this exact moment one year ago what the next 12 months would have in store for all of us, would you have believed it?Lockdowns. Cancelled events. Virtual learning. The past year has been one of both frustration and great opportunity. While we are frustrated that we haven’t been able to operate as normal, we have found opportunity in new and exciting ways to interact with alumni across the country. As we touched on in this space in the last Marshall Magazine, we have been humbled by the outreach, generosity and ingenuity of Herd alums in a time when we could all use a helping hand. Here are just a few examples of how alumni have found ways to turn a seemingly bleak past 12 months into a positive for Marshall University … • Many of the alumni in our chapter network have found creative ways to be together during the pandemic. Virtual game nights, Microsoft Teams meetings, and fundraising efforts have all taken place in online spaces. For one chapter in particular, the Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter out of Parkersburg, not even a pandemic could slow their progress. Despite the challenges we have all faced, the Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter has managed to continue to raise money, grow their membership and help send new students to Marshall. And they aren’t alone. Bravo to all of our alumni chapters on an amazing job, and stay tuned for an in-depth look at just what these chapters have managed to accomplish during the pandemic in an upcoming feature story on HerdAlum.com and Marshall Magazine. • During our virtual Homecoming festivities in October, several online events brought together a number of alumni who hadn’t seen each other in years. The stories and laughs that we all shared during these virtual activities were enough to melt anyone’s heart. • From the pandemic emerged a new website that is truly eye-opening whether you are an alum, a fan or a prospective student. Marshall.edu/experience is a brand new, interactive way to experience Marshall University. On the site you can find virtual tours, participate in online open houses, ask questions and much more. It is truly a wonderful new way to help students connect with our wonderful alma mater. • Lastly, and perhaps most impressive, has been the resiliency and leadership of Marshall University President Jerry Gilbert. During a time of great uncertainty, President Gilbert has made tough choices to keep students, faculty and staff safe, while continuing to propel Marshall University forward. Oh, and he, too, has found exciting ways to share the Marshall experience with the world. From live Q&A chats to a few very active social media accounts, President Gilbert has managed to be on the cutting edge of communication. But perhaps his most famous virtual endeavor was a bike tour of Huntington in May 2020. If you haven’t seen it, search “President Gilbert’s Bike Tour of Huntington and Marshall University” on YouTube. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed!

As you can see, the past year has been a mix of good and bad, ups and downs. But from it we have all grown stronger and more dedicated to you, our alumni around the world!

Until next time, Godspeed and GO HERD!

Best Regards,

Larry, Kasey and Matt