University President and Spouse Donate School a Sum of $50 Million
Record-Breaking Donation from Marshall University's President and Wife to Fund Debt-Free Education
In a historic move, Brad D. Smith, the current president of Marshall University, and his wife, Alys, have made a remarkable donation of $50 million to their alma mater. This generous gift, the largest personal donation ever made by a sitting university president to their own institution, is set to fund Marshall For All, a programme announced by Smith in 2022.
Marshall For All, with its two pathways – Debt-Free and Tuition-Free WV – aims to allow students to earn a bachelor's degree without student loans. The goal is to ensure all undergraduates can graduate debt-free by the university's bicentennial in 2037.
Brad Smith, a native of Kenova, West Virginia, and a 1986 graduate of Marshall with a bachelor's degree in business administration, has a long-standing relationship with the university. His wife, Alys, who earned her bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University and a juris doctor from The University of Akron School of Law, has also made significant contributions to the institution.
The Smiths' generous donation surpasses their previous contributions to Marshall University, including the $10 million for the Brad and Alys Family Scholarship Endowment and the $25 million for the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation.
Forbes recently pegged Smith's wealth at $900 million, making him the wealthiest person in West Virginia. Alongside his role at Marshall University, Smith serves on the boards of Amazon and JPMorgan Chase, and co-chairs the Southern Regional Education Board's Commission on Artificial Intelligence in Education.
Alys Smith has an impressive career in her own right. She has worked for the Ohio Attorney General, several private firms, and founded Better2Mediate, an alternative to litigation. She also founded the Marshall University BOLD Leadership Academy and the Women Warriors Summit.
In addition to their support for Marshall University, the Smiths have also donated $25 million to fund the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative at West Virginia University in 2020. The foundation they founded in 2019, the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, supports educational, entrepreneurial, and environmental opportunities in Appalachia.
As of now, nearly 400 students have participated in Marshall For All: Debt-Free, with many more enrolled in the Tuition-Free WV program. The university plans to expand Marshall For All over the next decade, providing more opportunities for students to pursue their dreams without the burden of student debt.
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