Each year members of the educational community are inducted into the Harless Hall of Fame. This year Dr. Robert Hayes is one of the inductees. Hayes served as the 11th president of Marshall University. His term (1974 – 1983) has been called the “Decade of Progress” because of the academic advancements and facility improvements that took place on Marshall’s campus during his tenure.
One of Hayes’ first achievements was the creation of the Marshall University Community College, in which the first classes were held in the fall of 1975. Other accomplishments included the adoption of the Board of Regents degree, the establishment of the Marshall School of Medicine, and the creation of the Colleges of Science, Liberal Arts and Fine Arts.
An expansion of campus facilities also took place during Hayes’ tenure as president, including the construction of classroom buildings, Harris and Corbly Halls, the Cam Henderson Center and additions to the science and medical school facilities.
Another inductee is the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI). RCBI provides high-tech manufacturing equipment, technical training, and workforce and entrepreneurial development to more than 5,500 manufacturers that employ nearly 81,000 individuals.
RCBI has delivered skills training to more than 4,000 individuals, helping bridge the critical skills gap in American manufacturing and foster entrepreneurship.
RCBI’s commitment to STEM education involves direct outreach to West Virginia schools and a popular series of statewide camps that immerse students in LEGO™ robotics and 3D printing technology.
The final inductee is Gary White, who served as interim president for Marshall University for one year beginning December 29, 2014. White was president and chief executive officer of International Industries Inc. from 1992 to 2007. He also previously served as president and chief operating officer of International Resource Partners and the West Virginia Coal Association.
White was a manager of underground mining at Amherst Coal Company, and corporate training coordinator at Island Creek Coal Company. He served as director of transition for Governor Cecil Underwood. In 2006 and again in 2008, he was named one of the “Fifty Most Influential Individuals in West Virginia” by West Virginia Executive magazine.
Another highlight of the evening is the presentation of the Hallie Harless Distinguished Teacher Award. This year the award goes to Kelly Bryant, who is is a third-grade teacher at Logan Elementary School. She is an active educator on both the school and county levels who believes teaching is about “inspiring students to become lifelong learners, independent thinkers and active problem solvers.”
The Harless Center will also recognize Donna Peduto, director of operations for the West Virginia Board of Education; Hank Hager, counsel to the West Virginia Senate Education Committee; and David Mohr, chief counsel for the West Virginia House of Representatives Education Committee.
Finally, the evening showcases the many diverse initiatives in which the Harless Center has participated: partnership with Cabell County in opening the Explorer Academy; the Shewey Science Academy; the Flipped Classroom initiative; the early childhood centers in Corbly Hall; and, in Gilbert West Virginia, Improving Teacher Quality grants in mathematics and science; the Create Lab satellite with Carnegie Mellon University, grants from Whole Kids, Lowe’s Foundation, and a STEM mini-grant from Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts.
The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation awarded a grant for the development of an incubator for outdoor education for grades Pre-K through Five. A grant from the West Virginia Department of Education was awarded to the Harless Center to assist with the West Virginia leaders of Literacy: Campaign for Grade-Level Reading led by the WVDE Office of Early Learning. The grant provides for the employment of five Early Literacy Specialists to support efforts made by all West Virginia counties as they implement a transformative system of support for early literacy.