Marshall University Foundation
Marshall University Foundation, Inc.
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Huntington, WV 25755
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Friday, Oct. 10, 2003
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications (304) 696-7153
Four couples join Marshall University Pathway of Prominence
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Four couples have joined Marshall University’s Pathway of Prominence after presenting significant gifts to the university, H. Keith Spears, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and co-director of Marshall’s Campaign for National Prominence, announced today.
James E. and Verna K. Gibson of Sarasota, Fla., Timothy L. and Sandra K. Haymaker of Lexington, Ky., F. Selby and Donna Wellman of Cary, N.C., and William E. Willis and Joyce L. Willis of Tenafly, N.J., make up the 2003 class of the Pathway of Prominence.
Plaques honoring each couple were unveiled this morning in a ceremony at the Pathway, which is located at the center of the Huntington campus. The additions bring to 14 the number of plaques on the Pathway of Prominence. Donors who present gifts of $1 million or more to Marshall are honored with a plaque on the Pathway.
“The Pathway of Prominence represents the central nature by which their generosity impacts and enhances the future of our institution,” Spears said of the donors. “The Pathway symbolizes the enduring legacy its members have bestowed on Marshall University.”
Other Pathway of Prominence honorees are: Clayton W. Dunlap and Bernice Virginia Dunlap; James F. Edwards and Joan C. Edwards; Daniel E. Wagoner and Virginia U. Wagoner; Wilbur E. Myers; Elizabeth McDowell Lewis; John Deaver Drinko and Elizabeth Gibson Drinko; James H. “Buck” Harless; John Oliver Butler and Ruth Elizabeth Butler; Lyle A. Smith; and Charles B. Hedrick and Mary Jo Hedrick.
In a separate event today, the same four couples were honored during a naming ceremony at Marshall’s new $28 million, 500-bed housing project – its first on campus in 35 years. Plaques revealing the names of the four buildings – Gibson Hall, Haymaker Hall, Wellman Hall and Willis Hall – were unveiled.
Here is a brief look at each of the four new Pathway of Prominence honorees:
James E. Gibson and Verna K. Gibson
The Gibsons are vice chairs of the Campaign for National Prominence. They support Marshall University athletics, the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall, and the H.E.L.P. program, and also fund scholarships for students. Verna Gibson will be the grand marshal in Marshall’s homecoming parade, which begins at noon Saturday.
Timothy L. and Sandra K. Haymaker
Tim Haymaker is national chairman of Marshall’s Campaign for National Prominence. The Haymakers have traveled all over the United States promoting Marshall during the campaign. Tim Haymaker was encouraged by his wife to accept Marshall President Dan Angel’s offer to be national chairman of the campaign. She said simply, “Go for it,” and he did. The campaign total stands at more than $62 million.
F. Selby and Donna Wellman
The Wellmans support Marshall through their volunteering, leadership and generosity. Selby Wellman is vice chair of the Campaign for National Prominence. Much of the Wellmans’ support is through academic and athletic scholarships for deserving students. Selby Wellman was the key individual in bringing the Cisco Academies to West Virginia.
William E. Willis and Joyce L. Willis
Bill Willis serves on the Yeager Scholars Board of Directors. He and Joyce strongly supported the building of the John Deaver Drinko Library, which opened in 1998 at Marshall. Bill Willis, often referred to as “the New York lawyer,” praised “the mind-boggling technology” being developed at the library during the time it was under construction.