Marshall University President Brad Smith stands before the audience to deliver a speech about the status of the university and future goals. Smith has been in the position since 2022 and is a proud Marshall alumnus. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

VIENNA – University President Brad Smith and new head football coach Tony Gibson spoke to local Thundering Herd supporters at Thursday’s Marshall University Alumni and Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley fundraising dinner at the Grand Pointe Conference Center in Vienna.

Smith presented the crowd with recent data and initiatives from the university.

“This particular chapter has raised so much money to help students actually go out and achieve their dreams,” he said.

The local chapter has raised more than $360,000 since 2009 and provided roughly 120 students with scholarships to Marshall and some programs.

Smith spent 19 years at Intuit, including as chief executive officer and executive chairman. In 2016, he was ranked among the top six CEOs in the United States by Fortune Magazine.

Marshall University’s new head football coach Tony Gibson takes the stage on Thursday night during the Marshall University Alumni and Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley fundraising dinner at the Grand Pointe Conference Center in Vienna. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

After being part of multiple industry boards and holding chair member positions, Smith was selected to the role of Marshall University president in 2021 and took over the position in January 2022.

“Since our founding in 1837, our academic standing has risen. We started as a one-room academy in 1837, and we became a college in 1858, and then we became a university” in 1961, said Smith. “We accelerate individual success, innovative ideas and economic impact.

“Our goal is to be the most affordable, flexible and achievement-oriented university in the nation,” said Smith.

Smith praised the athletics department and the successful years they’ve had before introducing Gibson.

“It’s a dream come true for me to be the head football coach at Marshall University in my home state and represent something a lot bigger than myself, and there’s a lot of pride in that program, and they have a story like no other,” Gibson said prior to his speech.

Alumni and guests from Marshall University gathered on Thursday night for an evening of socializing and the introduction of the university’s new head football coach at the Marshall University Alumni and Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley fundraising dinner at the Grand Pointe Conference Center in Vienna. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Gibson coached at Cumberland University for two years, then served as defensive coordinator at West Virginia Tech. He coached at West Virginia University for seven years, then spent three years at Michigan and one year each at Pittsburgh and Arizona before returning to WVU for six more years. He joined the North Carolina State staff in 2018 and served as its defensive coordinator before being hired this year as Marshall’s head coach.

“Who you are is way more important than what you do,” he said.

Following Gibson’s speech was an auction, and the evening concluded with a vocal performance by Holly Forbes, who was a top 10 finalist on season 21 of “The Voice.”

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com

The banquet hall at Grand Pointe Conference Center in Vienna was decorated in the Marshall University school colors of kelly green and white. Alumni wore the university shade of green to represent the pride of the university. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Director of Alumni Engagement Walker Tatum (top left), Vice President of Alumni Relations Matt James (top right), Chief Development Officer Major Alston, Staci Karagosian, and CEO/President of Marshall University Foundation Nico Karagosian enjoy their dinner and drinks before the speech from President Brad Smith. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Mad Max riles up the audience with the Thundering Herd’s iconic stand cheers during Thursday’s Marshall University Alumni and Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley fundraising dinner at the Grand Pointe Conference Center in Vienna. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Marshall University alumni and guests enjoyed vocal performances from Holly Forbes, a vocalist from Catlettsburg, Kentucky, and a top 10 finalist on season 21 of “The Voice.” (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Marshall University President Brad Smith told the crowd about an initiative to provide 100 students with free tuition. The goal is to eliminate student debt for those that match the financial requirements to be considered for this program. (Photo by Amber Phipps)