Marshall’s local TedX event focuses on rising from tragedy Staff Report Former Thundering Herd Assistant Coach Red Dawson appeared at Marshall University’s TedX event April 2. (Marshall University | Courtesy) HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall University community celebrated an evening of “RISING” last Friday at the third annual TEDxMarshallU event. TEDxMarshallU’s talks centered around a wide array of topics, ranging from empowering students by Lt. Chad Napier of Appalachia HIDTA and Handle with Care West Virginia and Dr. Kathy D’Antoni of the Marshall University Board of Governors; rebuilding the Appalachian economy by Lee Farabaugh of CORE10 and Brandon Dennison of Coalfield Development Corp.; the West Virginia Mask Army by Dr. Suzanne Strait of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Marshall University; and rising above the stigma of mental illness by Dr. Ashley Perkins, a pharmacist and doctoral student in Marshall’s College of Education and Professional Development. Each topic discussed was connected to the theme “rising,” a dedication to the perseverance and resilience of the community following the 1970 Marshall University tragedy.