HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—– Marshall President Brad Smith used Wednesday’s Board of Governor’s meeting to reflect on his three years as president but also to highlight the growth the university has gone through over the last couple of years.
At the beginning of his speech, Smith said there were two main things that he has reflected on to honor his three years as president.
“First of all it’s how quickly how time passes when you count by semesters, it is unbelievable how quickly time flies,” Smith said. “The second is how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work alongside you (the board), to serve our students and to serve our amazing institution”
He then went on to talk about three key points about Marshall, the culture, the post-election landscape and the financial health.
He said that he has been inspired by the culture at the university because of the things that the school has done and continued to do.
“From high school recruiting visits, auto acceptance programs,community and technical college agreements, and record setting Green and White Days, we have perspective students, parents, and administrators that are experiencing Marshall’s commitment, Marshall’s innovation and our unlimited potential,” Smith said.
One of the ways that they are looking at innovating the area, is the purchase of property on 4th Avenue that the board approved at Wednesday’s board meeting, which will expand Marshall’s footprint.
And he touched a little bit on why the culture continues to grow, crediting the Employment Engagement Survey for some it.
“Across 52 different dimensions that were surveyed, 20 items notable improved year after year, and no item declined. 18 items are now above the scores of our higher education peers,” Smith said. “83% of those surveyed say they are proud to work at Marshall University.”
Another area that has grown is the support that Marshall has given and has received while working with local, state, and the federal government.
He said that Marshall will continue their efforts in supporting government officials.
“While many new talented to new offices, our relationship’s with these individuals are not new,” He said. “Marshall continues to be engaged and at the table with each of these leaders and partnership with our peer institutions. In our capacity as a prosperity platform, our elected leaders appreciate that Marshall is an economic driver for the state of West Virginia.”
He said that Marshall’s efforts have been awarded, most recently in the special legislative session in September. Legislators and Governor Jim Justice fought for Marshall’s Aviation program to receive more funding in order to build another hanger at the Charleston’s Yeager Airport and funding for the program to try and help other universities with their own Aviation program.
And the last thing was the financial health of the university. He said that there were four main areas that have grown since the university started their saving efforts.
“We continue to see growth in enrollment, research grants and contracts, housing and athletics revenue,” he said. “We are coupling this growth with increasing spending discipline through our save to serve efforts.”
He ended his speech with talking about Marshall Moments that have helped create the culture around campus, emphasizing on the soccer and football athletes who will be competing at the highest levels this weekend.