HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall University celebrates its alumni this weekend with Homecoming on campus.
This year’s theme is “80s Echoes: Come Back Curious,” which celebrates the homecoming parade’s grand marshal, actor and Marshall alum Joe Chrest, who starred in the Netflix hit “Stranger Things.”
Melanie Pagliaro, president of the MU Kanawha Valley Alumni Association, expects a big crowd on hand.
“It goes back to, I think, your time at school there and fond memories and getting to see people you don’t get to see every day, so you kind of connect with folks throughout the year about getting on campus, talking about those memories, maybe having a beverage or two, and telling old stories,” she said Thursday on “MetroNews Midday.”
This year’s homecoming arrives at a time of growth for Marshall, and Pagliaro wants alumni to see how the university’s footprint is changing. She said it’s a thrilling time to see what her alma mater is growing to be.
“From Old Main, you have the cybersecurity (school). You have the Brad Smith School of Business, and now it’s known as the IDEA District, which is “Impossible Doesn’t Exist Anymore,'” Pagliaro said.
Marshall’s administration is stepping up to help alumni this year as well with a donation matching pledge to help the university’s “Marshall For All” debt relief program. President Brad Smith is offering matching funds for every dollar raised by alumni.
“We’re very thankful for President Smith and First Lady Smith on their big contribution last year of $50 million, and then they’ve reached out to alumni and alumni chapters with the challenge this year that as much money as we raise, they will be a dollar-for-dollar match,” Pagliaro said.
Pagliaro hopes to see her fellow alumni step up to support the university in person this weekend and with their contributions. She welcomes any donation of any size to help the university’s future.
“Whatever you can give is what we will appreciate, and you’re paying it for those that are the future,” she said.
The Marshall Homecoming parade begins Friday night at 6 p.m., and the Marshall football team hosts Gardner-Webb on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.