Marshall University Foundation
Marshall University Foundation, Inc.
One John Marshall Dr.
Huntington, WV 25755
304-696-6264
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CONTACT: Susan Miller, Fifth Third Bank, 304-696-5315
Nicki Johnson, Marshall University, 304-696-6713
Fifth Third Makes $100,000 Grant to Marshall University
Grant Will Establish Distinguished Lectureship Series for Women’s Studies Program
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall University is pleased to announce that its Women’s Studies program will launch a Distinguished Lectureship series next spring thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee.
The funds will be used to establish an endowment that will bring a scholar of national prominence to the university each year to speak about significant issues relevant to women in today’s society.The university anticipates that the lectureship series will coincide with and serve as a focal point for its celebration of Women’s History Month each March.
“We are very excited about this opportunity,” noted Susan Jackson, Ph.D., who serves as the coordinator for the Women’s Studies program. “Marshall has historically been committed to promoting the achievement of women and preparing them for successful careers. We feel that bringing speakers of national prominence to our university can help enrich the self esteem ofwomen in the community and encourage them to achieve their higher education goals.”
While more women than men are enrolled in higher education in West Virginia, they rank far lower than other women in the United States in terms of median annual earnings and labor force participation. “We are very grateful to have Fifth Third Bank as a partner in our important mission of breaking professional and economic barriers for women in our state,” added Dr. Carolyn Hunter, Marshall’s Vice President of Alumni Development. “By providing this funding, Fifth Third has illustrated its commitment to promote quality education initiatives within the community it serves.”
Raymond J. Webb, President and CEO, Fifth Third Bank (Ohio Valley) agreed. “We are pleased to form an alliance with Marshall University. As part of this alliance, we not only want to encourage higher education initiatives for women in this area, but also want to encourage them to remain in the Tri-State. Showing women that they have opportunities and can make difference may inspire them to remain in the region and contribute to its economic development.”
The Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee, is the country’s largest charitable fund solely dedicated “to ennoble, to uplift and to strengthen the lives of young women who are compelled to be self-supporting.” Founded in 1908 by former Fifth Third Bank President Jacob G. Schmidlapp, the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund has funded worthwhile initiatives in support of women and girls for more than 94 years. The fund was started by Mr. Schmidlapp in memory of his daughter, Charlotte, who, at age 19, died before she could realize her life’s dream.
Fifth Third Bank has the special privilege of managing 61 private and charitable foundations created by caring persons in the community. Fifth Third uses the income from these foundations carefully and selects programs consistent with the intentions of each of the original benefactors.Fifth Third Bank has $179 billion in assets under care, of which it manages $28 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organization.
For more information on the Women’s Studies program at Marshall University, please call Dr. Susan Jackson at (304) 696-2896.