“I am profoundly grateful to my friends Sheryl Sandberg and Tom Bernthal for their extraordinary generosity towards the Marshall For All program,” said Brad D. Smith, Marshall’s president. “This remarkable gift not only underscores their commitment to fostering opportunity and inclusion but also propels our mission forward with renewed vigor. It is with immense appreciation that we embrace this support, which will undoubtedly make a lasting impact on countless lives and advance our shared vision of a more equitable future.”
The Marshall For All program allows Marshall students to combine scholarships, grants, work opportunities and family contributions to earn their bachelor’s degree without needing student loans, which will allow students to graduate with little to no debt. To qualify, students will need to complete a FAFSA annually and commit to actions such as graduating on time, pursuing work opportunities and participating in financial literacy programs.
“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,” Sandberg said. “Like Brad, I believe all young people should have access to a high-quality education to realize their full potential. I know the bright scholars of the Marshall For All program will be the next generation of leaders we need.”
“There is nothing more powerful than giving young people the opportunity to flourish,” Bernthal said. “Under Brad Smith’s leadership, the Marshall For All program opens doors for talented young students and puts them on a path to lifelong success. I can’t imagine a more important mission and we are honored to be a part of it.”
The program, announced by President Smith in 2022, launched last fall with new first-year West Virginians and metro area students with great success. The university will expand the program over the next decade with the goal of relieving student debt for all Marshall students by 2037.
“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,” said Nico Karagosian, president and CEO. “This generous support will drive meaningful change and expand opportunities for our students. This gift will play a crucial role in advancing our mission and make a difference in the lives of many. We are truly privileged to collaborate with them on this vital initiative.”
Sandberg is the founder and chair of the Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to build a more equal and resilient world through three key initiatives: Lean In, Option B, and the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program. Launched in 2013, Lean In supports a global community of over 100,000 Lean In Circles in 183 countries.
Sandberg previously served as chief operating officer at Meta for 14 years. She is the best-selling author of three books: “Lean In,” “Lean In for Graduates,” and “Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy,” which she co-authored with The Wharton School professor Adam Grant.
Bernthal is a founder and partner at Sandberg Bernthal Venture Partners. He is an Emmy-winning producer for NBC News and CEO of Kelton Global, a marketing consulting firm.
To learn more about the Marshall For All program, visit www.marshall.edu/marshallforall.