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Keep Up With Brad D. Smith

Brad D. Smith and Alys Smith Help Fund Food and Clothing Pantries in WV Schools

November 21, 2025

On Oct. 27, 2025, Marshall University and the West Virginia Department of Education hosted events in Huntington and Charleston to support food and clothing pantries in schools across West Virginia. Marshall University President Brad D. Smith and his wife, Alys Smith, contributed through their Wing 2 Wing Foundation. They were among three donors who contributed more than $1 million to the cause. At each event, county principals and counselors received a donation to help fund school food pantries for the rest of the year. “When we think about a child that shows up to school cold or hungry, they’re not just missing the opportunity to have clothing and food, they’re missing the opportunity to learn, to dream and to thrive,” Brad D. Smith said.

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Marshall For All Receives Record $50 Million Donation

September 16, 2025

President Brad D. Smith and First Lady Alys Smith committed a historic $50 million donation to Marshall University – the largest ever from a sitting university president to their own institution. The contribution advances Marshall For All, a program spearheaded by President Smith to eliminate student debt, leveling the playing field for West Virginia and Appalachian students while setting a new national standard in higher education.

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President Brad D. Smith Kicks Off the Fall 2025 Semester With a Message of Encouragement

August 11, 2025

Marshall University President Brad D. Smith welcomed incoming fall 2025 students to campus with a message of encouragement and connection. He urged students to embrace academics and campus life, highlighting the importance of mentorship, involvement, and community building. Smith also celebrated the arrival of new athletic leadership and encouraged students to seize opportunities that will shape their future. “Welcome home—let’s make this year unforgettable,” noted Brad.

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Marshall University Board of Directors 2025-26 Meeting: Growth, Education, and Innovation

August 5, 2025

At its August 2025 meeting, the Marshall University Board of Governors reviewed preparations for the new academic year and received encouraging enrollment news from President Brad D. Smith. Preliminary figures suggest a third consecutive year of growth, with overall enrollment rising 15% since 2022. Leaders also discussed housing availability, campus improvements, and new academic initiatives. Updates included the athletic momentum under new director Gerald Harrison and the swearing-in of student and staff representatives.

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Leadership and Legacy Shine at 2025 NFF Campbell Trophy® Summit

July 28, 2025

The Seventh Annual NFF Campbell Trophy® Summit united athletes, coaches, and business leaders to share lessons in leadership and service inspired by Bill Campbell’s legacy. Brad D. Smith joined speakers Pat Gelsinger, Ronnie Lott, Andrew Luck, and others to discuss how sports foster resilience, teamwork, and purpose beyond the field. The three-day event featured workshops, panels, and mentorship for 300 student-athletes from 143 colleges.

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Gerald J. Harrison Named Marshall University’s 23rd Director of Athletics

July 8, 2025

In late July 2025, Gerald J. Harrison was announced as the 23rd Director of Athletics at Marshall University. Harrison brings a wealth of leadership experience in collegiate sports and a vision for advancing Marshall athletics on and off the field. His appointment reflects the university’s continued focus on fostering excellence, supporting student-athletes, and strengthening its role in the community. Harrison previously worked at Austin Peay, serving as Vice President and Director of Athletics.

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Marshall University and Fairmont State Unite to Strengthen West Virginia’s Higher Ed System

June 27, 2025

Marshall University and Fairmont State presidents Brad D. Smith and Mike Davis affirm that collaboration — not competition — is key to higher education’s future in West Virginia. By sharing resources, expanding access, and aligning programs with workforce needs, the two institutions aim to reduce costs and increase opportunity. Their joint vision: a stronger, more affordable, and more inclusive higher ed system that uplifts all West Virginians.

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Marshall Board Extends Brad D. Smith’s Presidency Through 2029

June 27, 2025

The Marshall University Board of Governors has voted to extend President Brad D. Smith’s role through December 2029, amending his employment agreement by three years. The move reflects the board’s confidence in his continued leadership and impact. In a Marshall press release, Board of Governors Chairman Geoff Sheils praised Brad and his wife, Alys, for reigniting enrollment and community pride. “To say we are thrilled that Brad has agreed to lead Marshall University through 2029 would be an understatement.”

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Shining a Light on Student Success with Brite

May 16, 2025

A group of West Virginia University grads is changing how colleges support their students — and the Wing 2 Wing Foundation is proud to support them. Backed by mentorship and funding from the foundation, Brite is a student engagement platform using gamified daily check-ins and AI to surface challenges students face in real time. From mental health struggles to financial stress, Brite empowers universities to respond early and make data-driven changes that improve retention. Already seeing success across West Virginia campuses, the startup is expanding nationwide in Fall 2025.

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New Intuit Partnership Brings 250 Jobs to Huntington

April 3, 2025

Marshall University is launching a new Intuit Prosperity Hub, set to create 250 full and part-time jobs starting at $18/hour in areas like AI, taxes, and bookkeeping. As announced by President Brad D. Smith—former Intuit CEO—the hub will open at the Center for Innovation and Business before moving to its permanent home on Fourth Avenue between the business college and cybersecurity center. The initiative expands local job access while helping students and grads connect with real-world opportunities.

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Marshall University Expands Tuition-Free Program for WV Freshmen

February 22, 2025

Marshall University announced its expansion of “Marshall For All” with “Marshall For All: Tuition-Free WV,” offering eligible West Virginia freshmen full tuition coverage–no loans required. The program supports families earning $65,000 or less, removing financial barriers to higher education. President Brad D. Smith stated, “We believe that every student deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their financial background,” reinforcing his mission of empowering the next generation to succeed.

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West Virginia’s Emily Calandrelli Becomes 100th Woman To Visit Space

December 16, 2024

Emily Calandrelli, a trailblazer from Morgantown, West Virginia, recently returned from a groundbreaking flight aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard. As the 100th woman—and the second West Virginian woman to travel to space—Emily described the experience as a “surreal” culmination of years of determination and bold dreams. Supported in part by the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, her voyage embodies the spirit of West Virginians: boundless ambition paired with a commitment to giving back, highlighting the power of accessible education and the impact of programs like “Marshall for All, Marshall Forever.”

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