Scholarship established at Marshall University for students affected by opioid epidemic

Marshall University has a new scholarship for its students who come from families impacted by the opioid epidemic thanks to The Chafin Law Firm of Mingo County, West Virginia. The Chafin Law Firm has been well established as a law firm to challenge drug manufacturers for the negative impacts the opioid epidemic has had on the region.

According to an article on Marshall University’s website, Amy Saunders, who serves as the managing director of the Center of Excellence for Recovery at Marshall University, said of the scholarship, “We are grateful for the Chafins’ generosity for creating this funding for our students from Mingo County. Many West Virginia youth and families have been affected by opioids and other substance use disorders. This funding will allow us to assist a student who has already worked very hard to overcome challenges in their family and community to provide support to reach their academic dream.”

Truman Chafin and Tish Neese Chafin of The Chafin Law Firm are both Marshall University graduates, having earned marketing degrees in 1967 and 1986, respectively. Truman Chafin went on to earn his law degree from Michigan State University, served in the West Virginia State Senate, and founded The Chafin Law Firm. Tish Neese Chafin earned her law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law, served on Marshall University’s Board of Governors, and was briefly the president of the West Virginia State Bar Association.

Truman Chafin said of the decision to begin the scholarship fund at Marshall, “We’re honored to have represented the counties and cities in this terrible situation, particularly what’s happened to southern West Virginia. We wanted to do anything we can do to help the community who helped us.”

He went on to say, “That’s where your real happiness is, to give and not receive. We wanted to be able to help someone who is really talented and has the grades and give them the gift that keeps on giving, which is education.”

In order to be eligible for the scholarship, a student must attend Marshall University on a full time basis and must demonstrate financial need according to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. The recipient will be selected by the director of the Center of Excellence and Recovery. Preference will be given to students hailing from Mingo County. If the student maintains a GPA of 2.0, the scholarship can be renewed for up to eight semesters.

For more information about Marshall University, visit the school’s website.