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VIENNA -- The president of Marshall University will be the keynote speaker at the annual scholarship fundraising dinner of the Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter of the Marshall University Alumni at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, at the Grand Pointe Conference and Reception Center in Vienna.
President Brad D. Smith is originally from Kenova, W.Va., and received his bachelor's in business administration from Marshall. He later received a master's in management from Aquinas College.
Smith was chief executive officer of Intuit for 11 years before stepping down in 2019.
He and his wife, Alys, established the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, which provides increased access and support for education, entrepreneurship mentoring and investment and works to position West Virginia "as a showcase for the nation."
The dinner benefits students from the region and other programs at Marshall University.
Jeff Sandy, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security, is the local 2023 honoree. Sandy, a former sheriff of Wood County, is a 1979 graduate of Marshall University.
During his 43-year career, he has used his Marshall education to successfully accomplish significant investigations and advanced training domestically and internationally.
Other special guests include Christian Spears, Marshall's athletic director; Mike Bartrum, senior analyst and special assistant to the head football coach; and Marco, the university's mascot.
A social hour will precede the dinner at 5:30 p.m. The event this year will include a silent auction.
Since 2009, the event has raised more than $280,000 to support scholarships for students in Wood, Wirt, Ritchie, Tyler, Pleasants, Doddridge and Washington counties. The funds also support other academic and athletic endeavors.
"The generosity of our sponsors and attendees is overwhelming," said Laurie Martin, chapter president. "We are so appreciative of the community support, and we look forward to a successful evening."
Tickets are $60 and sponsorships range from $600 to $1,500. For tickets or sponsorship information, e-mail Martin at mualumnimovclub@yahoo.com.