This year’s inductees include: Michele Blatt, West Virginia state superintendent of schools; West Virginia native Emily Calandrelli, who is nicknamed the “Space Gal” and is an MIT engineer, TV entertainer, author and promoter of science education; Teresa Eagle, dean of Marshall’s College of Education and Professional Development; and Sheryl Sandberg, renowned business executive, author and philanthropist whose charitable foundation has donated $5 million to Marshall For All, Marshall Forever.
The induction celebration is a private event. Media are welcome to attend.
A reception will begin at 5 p.m. April 25, with the induction ceremony starting at 6:30 p.m. and dinner to follow at the Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall.
“These honorees embody the center’s mission by tirelessly advocating for equitable access to high-quality education for all students, regardless of their zip code,” said Tarabeth Brumfield Heineman, executive director of the June Harless Center. “Their dedication and innovative approaches have significantly contributed to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for West Virginia students to thrive academically and personally.”
The event not only honors Hall of Fame inductees, but celebrates the center’s first 25 years, highlighting its history and its work accomplished.
Marshall University’s June Harless Center for Rural Educational Research and Development was established in 2000 with a mission to provide leadership in educational initiatives for West Virginia educators and students. This mission reflects the philosophy of James “Buck” Harless and the late June Harless, for which the center is named. The June Harless Center was created to fulfill a dream of Buck Harless to help every West Virginia child become whatever their dreams could create.
The center provides educators and families of rural West Virginia with a support system that addresses educational problems, sustains school improvement, and provides growth in all educational factors. The Harless Center provides professional development in STEAM, literacy, and early childhood education. County and school partnerships have purposely been established to focus on benefits for teachers, administrators and students, as well as assisting school districts to obtain supplementary funding for educational programming. The center aims to support highly effective teachers and to ensure all students are engaged in rigorous, relevant assignments in order to increase student achievement.
For more information about the June Harless Center in Marshall’s College of Education and Professional Development, visit www.marshall.edu/harless.