April 14th, 2025
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WMUL-FM) — “Marshall is a magnet attracting talent from near and far and I see wonderful talent in this room, it’s a community of shared purpose,” Montserrat Miller, executive director of the Drinko Academy, said in her Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech at the Women of Marshall Awards.
Miller and three other women were honored at the Women of Marshall Awards on April 7 at the Drinko Library Atrium.
Joining Marshall in 1996, she has worked in many places. In her speech, she spoke about coming back to Marshall and her gratitude to her colleagues.
“I cannot believe how lucky I have been to find my way back here and to work with all of you and to be able to turn to strong and principled colleagues, both men and women who are committed to equality, integrity and to get the job done for our students,” she said.
Along with Miller, Cynthia Jones won the Unity in Action award.
With her family living in New York City, Jones moved to Huntington in 2015. When she arrived 10 years ago, she said she felt a “sense of community”.
Huanshu Yuan won the Impact award for her promotion of cultural awareness and creating meaningful change.
Yuan came to the US 15 years ago as an international student. In her speech, she reassures international students that they will be able to succeed and “shine their true colors
Lillian Hager, a graduating senior in Psychology, won the Catalyst for Change award. “To some, pulling out of class for a protest might seem like going out of your way, but there’s one thing about being in a sorority that’s taught me is that you have your sisters’ backs no matter what,” she said in her speech.
The event also recognized graduates that hold minors in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, along with guest speaker and Huntington City councilwoman Ally Layman.