Marshall Magazine Autumn 2022

G rowing up, Marshall University President Brad D. Smith was often reminded, “You were born with two ears and one mouth. Use them in that proportion.” “It was one of my mom’s favorite sayings,” Smith said. Smith carried those words with him as one of Silicon Valley’s preeminent CEOs, and they remained at the top of his mind as he stepped into the role of Marshall president. “Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate that you should first seek to understand before seeking to be un derstood,” he said. It’s fitting, then, that Smith’s first presidential under taking was, simply, to listen. “I thought it would be best to begin by listening,” Smith said. “I recognize that even though I was born in this area and I’m a Son of Marshall, I’ve been gone for 36 years. I didn’t want to assume that I knew the things that were most important to focus on.” To gain insight into what matters most to the Marshall

community, Smith kicked off his presidency with a 100 day listening tour, meeting with students, alumni, fac ulty, staff, community leaders and others in 38 separate listening sessions. More than 1,000 people participated in the sessions, garnering more than 1,200 suggestions for the university. Board of Governors Chairman Patrick Farrell said Smith’s tour, which also included visits to other cam puses and conversations with 18 college and university presidents, was inspiring to witness. “President Smith has an extraordinary ability to listen and empathize with people so they really feel understood,” Farrell said. An outside firm analyzed the data from the listening tour. The suggestions were organized by theme, and the most frequently referenced themes were identified as key areas. Smith labeled these areas “The Big Five.” “It was surprising to see how aligned our campus com munity is about what our priorities should be,” Farrell said. Marshall’s annual Week of Welcome (WOW) included a full schedule of activities in August to welcome the Class of 2026. Shown is the Freshman Walk held on Fourth Avenue between campus and the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center in Huntington.

The 2022 Alumni Award recipients Jeff McKay (Distinguished Young Alumnus), Alys Smith (Distinguished Service to Marshall University), Brad Smith (Distinguished Alumnus) and Cathy Burns (Outstanding Community Achievement) were honored April 9.

OCT 27, 2021 - Brad D. Smith

JAN 3, 2022 - On Smith’s first day as president, he receives a green jacket from the Board of Governors

named president of Marshall University

NOV 12, 2021 - Smith initiates his 100-day Listening Tour

FEB 21, 2022 - Christian Spears is named MU’s new athletic director

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