Marshall University College of Education and Professional Development

08/31/2026

✨ Sponsor Spotlight! ✨

The first sponsor we'd like to recognize is one that's been in our corner from the very beginning.

Thank you to the Marshall University College of Education and Professional Development, home of the HELP Program, for supporting our 2026 Big Top Tailgate!

Your dedication to our students and belief in our mission helps make opportunities like this possible. We are proud to call COEPD home. 💚

08/29/2026

📣 Calling Marshall University College of Education and Professional Development Alumni! 💚🤍

Are you coming?! Grab your discounted tickets today and join us! 🎟️ Extra Yard for Teachers!

🏈💪 Our goal is to PACK THE STANDS with the COEPD family—our educators, school leaders, counselors, staff, and partners—past, present, and future!

We also have a few spots open to join me on the field for recognition:
🍎 Are you one of our Through and Beyond partners? Jackson County—my home—that includes YOU!
🎓 Part of one of our Grow Your Own pathways?
🏫 An Empowerment School partner?
💚 A proud COEPD alum working in education?

Post below and let us know who you are and where you’re representing! We want you there!

Let’s go Marshall University 💚🤍 Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association Marshall University Athletics

9/12/26 @ 7:00 PM - Extra Yard For Teachers

08/26/2026

Thank you for your service!!! 💚

Today we celebrate an extraordinary educator and leader as our Coordinator of Community HELP marks her final day of teaching after 32 remarkable years. Laura Rowden
Throughout Laura’s career, she has helped countless children learn to read, write, and, most importantly, believe in themselves. Her dedication has changed lives, opening doors to opportunity and building confidence in generations of students.
Her impact extends far beyond the classroom. She has also mentored and guided educators, helping them develop the skills and strategies needed to support students who others may have overlooked or underestimated.
As she closes this chapter, she leaves behind a lasting legacy of learning, compassion, and excellence at the Marshall University HELP Program. Her influence will continue to be felt in every student she inspired, every teacher she supported, and every success story she helped create.
Thank you for 32 years of service, dedication, and love for learning. You will always be a cherished treasure of the Marshall University HELP Program. 💚📚 Marshall University College of Education and Professional Development Marshall University

08/25/2026

🤍 A true legend and lifelong champion for children and education. We are forever honored to have partnered with Dolly, welcomed her to WV, and helped carry the Imagination Library’s mission to children across all 55 West Virginia counties through the June Harless Center at Marshall University. Her legacy will live on for generations. 🦋📚

𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱
Few individuals have had a greater impact on early literacy in WV than Dolly Parton. Through her Imagination Library, children across the mountain state have been given the 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀, 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, and 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 from the earliest years.

At the June Harless Center, we have witnessed firsthand how a simple book delivered to a mailbox can spark a love of reading, strengthen family engagement, and prepare children for success in school and life. Dolly Parton’s belief that every child deserves access to books has changed the trajectory of countless West Virginia families and has helped create a 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 for community ties throughout our state.

📸Pictured: In 2022 Dolly sings for the crowd gathered at the Clay Center in Charleston, West Virginia, to celebrate the statewide expansion of Imagination Library programming available to all children birth - age 5 in WV.

“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣.” — 𝘿𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙤𝙣

08/22/2026

3️⃣ WEEKS until our HOME OPENER — and it’s Extra Yard for Teachers Night! 🏈🍎💚

Join us as Marshall takes on Middle Tennessee and we celebrate the educators who make a difference every day!

📅 Saturday, September 12 | ⏰ 7 PM
🎟️ Discounted tickets for teachers & COEPD alumni — scan the QR code to grab yours!
🔗 https://www.gofevo.com/event/Extrayard20

One Team. One Herd. One Purpose. 🤘💚

08/20/2026

08/19/2026

UNI 100 ✅ Dr. Rowe and her group of our pre-teacher education majors are ready for an amazing semester! 🤘

08/19/2026

Welcome back, Herd! Get $5 off every HELP Tailgate ticket now through Sunday 8/23 with code WELCOMEBACK.
Tailgate is Sept. 12th — don’t wait, save today! https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/marshall-help-program-2026-tailgate-fundraiser
Marshall University Marshall University College of Education and Professional Development Marshall Thundering Herd on HerdNation.com West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University Marshall University College of Arts & Media Marshall University College of Health Professions Marshall University College of Science Marshall University College of Engineering and Computer Sciences Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association Career Education American Printing House for the Blind American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind Services Division Child Development Academy at Marshall University Appalachian Studies Association (ASA) June Harless Center at Marshall University Downtown Huntington

08/19/2026

Day 2 of classes but for some might be day 1!💚Whether today is your second day or you’re just getting started with classes, we are excited to welcome back our COEPD crew and kick off another great semester together! Here’s to a semester full of learning, growth, and lots of Herd memories!🍎📚

08/17/2026

🐶 🐾 💚

💚🐾 Welcome back, students! MU Paws therapy dog Bindi and future therapy dog Bo are excited to kick off a new semester and hope everyone had a great first day.

A special shout-out to the Marching Thunder for providing the soundtrack (and backdrop) for their photo op. 🎶🐶💚