A New Standard For Presidential Philanthropy And A Promise To Appalachia

Dear Marshall Family,

On Sept. 16, 2022, standing before James E. Morrow Library in Huntington, West Virginia, Marshall University President Brad D. Smith made a bold promise during his investiture: one day all Marshall University students would be able to graduate debt- free.

Now, three years later, that promise is closer to reality with a $50 million gift from President Smith and First Lady Alys Smith - an act of generosity that sets a new national standard for presidential philanthropy.

This is more than a historic moment for Marshall. It's a defining moment for higher education.

In an era when student debt continues to burden so many, the Smiths have chosen to lead with conviction and compassion. Their donation, the largest ever made by a sitting university president to their own institution, doesn't just fund a program. It fuels a movement. Marshall For All, Marshall Forever is not a slogan. It's a strategy to transform lives, communities and the future of Appalachia.

The Smiths' commitment is deeply personal. President Smith grew up just 10 miles from campus in Kenova, West Virginia. He remembers the 1970 Marshall plane crash like it was yesterday, a moment etched into the soul of this university and into his own. His journey, from Marshall graduate to Silicon Valley CEO to the first alumnus to serve as Marshall's president, embodies the power of education to unlock opportunity.

First Lady Smith, an accomplished attorney and advocate for children and families, brings a quiet force to this work. Together, they understand that access to education is not just a policy issue, it's a moral imperative.

Their gift is a promise: that no student should be denied a college education because of financial hardship. That talent should not be limited by ZIP code. That West Virginia's future will be shaped not by what we lack, but by what we believe is possible. At Marshall, we believe in the power of public education to uplift entire regions. And we believe that leadership is not defined by title, but by action.

Driven solely by purpose, the Smiths have acted in unprecedented fashion. Boldly. Generously. Unforgettably.

As we look ahead to Marshall's bicentennial in 2037, Marshall For All will expand to serve every student, regardless of background or income. Already, students in the program are thriving, with higher GPAs, stronger retention and a growing sense of possibility. More than 60% are first-generation college students. They are the future of West Virginia: gritty, determined and living proof that this model works.

This gift is not the end of a journey. It's the beginning of a new chapter — one where presidential philanthropy is measured not by prestige, but by impact. One where institutions and their alumni rise to meet the needs of their students. One where Appalachia leads.

The Smiths have given us more than a donation. They've given us a standard — and a challenge. Now it's up to all of us to rise to it.

Nico Karagosian, President and CEO

Marshall University Foundation