Marshall Magazine Autumn 2022

T h e o f f i c i a l m a g a z i n e o f M a r s h a l l U n i v e r s i t y M arshall

President Brad D. Smith Executive Editor Susan Tams Director of Communications Leah Payne Publisher Jack Houvouras Office Manager Dana Keaton Art Director Suzanna Stephens Senior Graphic Designer Katie Sigler Contributing Photographers Rick Lee, Morgan Napier, Austin O’Connor, Marilyn Testerman-Haye Contributing Writers James E. Casto, Amy Deal, Amanda Larch, Keith Morehouse, Lalena Price, Katherine Pyles, Taylor Stuck Editorial Advisory Board Michelle Biggs, William “Tootie” Carter, Larry Crum, Karen McComas, Chuck McGill, Sheanna Spence, Susan Tams Marshall Magazine is distributed three times a year by: Marshall University One John Marshall Drive Huntington, WV 25755 ADVERTISERS’ CONTACT: HQ Publishing Co. P.O. Box 384 Huntington, WV 25708 304-529-6158 mail@marshallmagazine.com For subscription information contact: MU Office of Alumni Relations at 304-696-3134 Comments or suggestions

m a g a z i n e

Autumn 2022

Contents

4 COVER STORY : President Brad D. Smith’s listening tour laid the groundwork for the future direction of the university. 12 DIVISION OF AVIATION : The Aviation Maintenance Technology program is poised to fill some of the most in-demand jobs in the world. 16 RESEARCH : After 25 years of hard work by faculty and students alike, Marshall is one of the leading research universities in the nation. 22 AUTISM TRAINING CENTER : The West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall is a national leader in the field of autism. 26 SPORTS : Coach D’Antoni and his Thundering Herd basketball team hope to shine in the Sun Belt Conference. 30 IN BRIEF : Read an update on Marshall’s baseball stadium and the university’s new home for the College of Business. 34 ACCREDITATION : Marshall begins a three-year Quality Initiative to make both the university and the community more inclusive.

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Green ever Y O U R A L U M N I C O N N E C T I O N

39 Letter from Mikala Shremshock, MUAA President 40 Spotlight 42 Financial Aid 44 Maier Foundation Scholarship

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46 Homecoming 48 Class Notes 50 In Memoriam 52 Letter From MUAA

HQ Publishing Co. P.O. Box 384 Huntington, W.Va. 304-529-6158 www.hqpublishing.com

on the cover

University President Brad D. Smith has a vision for Marshall’s future that focuses on five key areas addressed in our cover story.

© 2022 by Marshall University