Lawyer Rusty Webb (at left) and Huntington Mayor Steve Williams meet with media before entering the federal courthouse in Charleston for the opioid trial on May 3, 2021.
HUNTINGTON — Marshall University’s Board of Governors will welcome its newest member, Charles R. “Rusty†Webb, during its meeting today.
This is an undated contributed photo of attorney Charles R. "Rusty" Webb.
Courtesy photo
Webb was appointed to the board by Gov. Patrick Morrisey, who said in a news release, “I’m so pleased to name Rusty Webb as a board member. His wealth of experience and love of Marshall will serve the university well, as they continue to move toward higher heights.â€
Webb, a 1983 Marshall graduate, was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1996 and served four terms. In 2006, he founded Webb Law Centre PLLC in Charleston to practice personal injury law.
Webb also the City of Huntington in an opioid litigation case filed in 2017 against three major drug distributors.
Lawyer Rusty Webb (at left) and Huntington Mayor Steve Williams meet with media before entering the federal courthouse in Charleston for the opioid trial on May 3, 2021.
Gazette-Mail file photo
He replaces Patrick Farrell, who resigned from the board after being elected mayor of Huntington in November.
Farrell’s term ends June 30, according to Marshall Director of Communications Leah Payne. This means today would be Webb’s first and only meeting as a member of the board. But Drew Galang, deputy press secretary for the Governor's Office, said Tuesday that the office plans to reappoint Webb after the current term expires.
Webb graduated from Marshall in 1983 and attended graduate school for one year at Marshall before pursuing law school in the fall of 1984. Webb was on the swim team, involved in student government and was the first of his family to graduate from college, but now he says his family has a legacy at the university.
“Both of my wife’s parents graduated from Marshall. My sister attended Marshall," said Webb, who added that his two stepsons and a daughter-in-law are graduates, and a niece is a sophomore there.
As a student, Webb wanted to be 'an active alumnus'
When Webb first visited the Huntington campus in 1979, he said he fell in love with it and the surrounding city.
Webb said he was the student who “sat in the graduation ceremony and actually embraced the idea to become an active alumnus and come back to campus and make contributions, both in ideas and financial ways, and so I’ve done it ever since.â€
He’s been involved in the university in a variety of ways, including through the athletic department where he was formerly on the Big Green Board of Directors. Webb also started the Quarterback Club of Charleston and the Marshall University Tennis Tournament, and he’s traveled with several athletic teams.
On the academic side, Webb said he’s also offered ideas to President Brad D. Smith on ways to increase admission and enhance the university experience.
“I’ve never really not been a part of Marshall University. This just gives me a more official, I guess, title, but ... I’ve never let titles get in the way with doing work,†Webb said.
Smith said of Webb in the release, “As an alumnus and former student-athlete, he brings a meaningful connection to our university community, along with valuable experience with law and public policy. We’re excited to welcome him to the Board of Governors and look forward to the insights and energy he will bring to this important role.â€
As a lawyer, Webb said — although the board has a general counsel — he believes his background could be helpful.
He said he’s interested in improving the game-day experience at Marshall and getting involved in marketing and branding for the university. As a former music major and first-generation student, he said he’s also interested in those areas.
“I guess I feel like it’s a lifetime achievement award,†Webb said of the opportunity to be on the board.
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