Huntington Times

Marshall University has received a significant donation of $5 million from the Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Charitable Foundation to aid its Marshall For All program. This foundation was established by Sheryl Sandberg, former chief operating officer of Meta and founder of Lean In.

Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall University, expressed his gratitude for this contribution: “I am profoundly grateful to my friends Sheryl Sandberg and Tom Bernthal for their extraordinary generosity towards the Marshall For All program,” he said. He further emphasized the importance of the gift in advancing the university's mission, stating it would have a lasting impact on many lives.

The Marshall For All program aims to help students earn their bachelor's degrees without incurring student loan debt by combining scholarships, grants, work opportunities, and family contributions. Students must complete a FAFSA annually and commit to graduating on time while engaging in work opportunities and financial literacy programs.

Sheryl Sandberg shared her motivation for supporting the initiative: “When I visited Marshall University last year, Brad Smith explained his vision for Marshall For All and I was deeply inspired by his work to lift up all students.” She expressed her belief in providing access to high-quality education for young people to realize their potential.

Tom Bernthal also praised the program's objectives: “There is nothing more powerful than giving young people the opportunity to flourish,” he stated. Underlining Brad Smith’s leadership, Bernthal highlighted how the program creates pathways for talented students toward lifelong success.

Launched in 2022 under President Smith's guidance, the Marshall For All program began with first-year West Virginians and metro area students. The university plans to expand it over the next decade with an aim of eliminating student debt for all its students by 2037.

Nico Karagosian, president and CEO of the Marshall University Foundation, also acknowledged this generous donation: “On behalf of the Marshall University Foundation, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Sheryl, Tom and their foundation for their remarkable donation to the Marshall For All program.”

Sandberg's nonprofit organization works towards equality through initiatives like Lean In and Option B. Her career includes serving as COO at Meta for 14 years and authoring three best-selling books. Tom Bernthal is noted as an Emmy-winning producer and CEO of Kelton Global.

For further information about the Marshall For All program, visit www.marshall.edu/marshallforall.