Created by President Brad D. Smith in 2022, Community Cares Week at Marshall University is…
Marshall University Announces Fourth Annual Community Cares Week
For the fourth year in a row, Marshall University and its president, Brad D. Smith, are excited to bring back Community Cares Week — an annual giving back initiative that mobilizes volunteers to enhance and tend to the campus as well as surrounding communities. From May 20-23, 2025, the Marshall community will come together yet again in a celebration of service and Herd pride.
Organized through the Office of the President, Community Cares Week 2025 will welcome students, faculty, staff, alumni, local businesses, and supporters from near and far. From beautification projects to sustainability initiatives, Community Cares Week is Marshall’s way of investing time, energy, and pride into the spaces that matter most.
A Tradition Built on Impact — Building on the Momentum of 2024
Launched by President Brad D. Smith in 2022, Community Cares Week has quickly grown into a beloved Marshall tradition. What began as a hands-on effort to check off campus “To Do List” items has evolved into a powerful display of collective Marshall pride.
After more than doubling volunteer turnout in its second year, with 726 participants lending a hand, Marshall built even greater momentum in 2024. More than 1,000 students, faculty, alumni, and community members contributed over 3,400 service hours across Huntington and regional campuses, leaving a lasting impact and setting the stage for even more progress ahead.
Approximately 100 staff leaders managed efforts across eight shifts, while a dozen Marshall team members served meals and pulled raffle prizes, reinforcing a community-first culture that underscores both Marshall and West Virginia’s values.
Alumni who couldn’t make it back to campus still found ways to give back, organizing service projects in their own hometowns and thereby extending the spirit of Community Cares far beyond West Virginia.
As President Brad D. Smith shared in his announcement for 2025, “I’m moved and inspired by the response to this invitation to join us on campus and to invest in helping ‘take care of the house.’ Community Cares Week brings the Marshall family closer together and gives us a chance to collaborate and contribute — not only to campus projects, but to the wider community, as well.”
Interested in Getting Involved This Year? Come Join the Herd!
Whether you’re a student, a staff member, a proud alum, or a member of the Huntington community, you’re invited to be a part of something meaningful.
Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt, lunch, and the chance to win door prizes as a thank-you for their service. More importantly, they’ll walk away knowing they played a role in shaping the future of a campus they care about.
To learn more or sign up to volunteer, visit www.marshall.edu/cares.