Political contributions

During the 2008 presidential election campaign, employees at three nearby major universities gave several thousand dollars, but Marshall University employees only gave a fraction of what other university employees in the area gave.

In total, Marshall employees gave $3,791 during the campaign, compared with that of the University of Kentucky’s $49,547 and the Ohio State University’s $52,747.

The low numbers from employees at Marshall probably stem from their wages being lower than the other universities.

For example, in 2008 Marshall President Stephen J. Kopp made $240,235, compared to Ohio State’s president, E. Gordon Gee, who made $775,008 that same year.

President Barack Obama’s campaign earnings surpassed the other 2008 candidates. Contributions to the Obama included $37,764 from Ohio State, $29,724 from UK and $2,448 from Marshall.

Jane Calvert, assistant professor of history at the University of Kentucky, said she donated to the Obama campaign because she thought he was the best choice.

"I (contributed) because I believed Obama was one of the strongest candidates we've had for decades and someone who would bring a significant change through his intellect, conciliatory governing style, and his priorities for economic and social equality in America," Calvert said.

In total from the three universities, Obama’s campaign received $69,936 during the 2008 election.

Despite McCain being the major Republican candidate, his campaign did not receive very much from any of the chosen universities. According to Fundrace on The Huffington Post, Marshall employees gave nothing to his campaign.

In total, McCain’s campaign only received 15.5 percent of Obama’s earnings.

The Democratic party gained much more money than the republican party, even without the money given to the Obama campaign. Sen. Hillary Clinton received a total of $21,016 from the combined universities. The Ohio State University led those donations as well with $11,187 given to the Clinton campaign. Marshall employees only gave $1,043.

Employees at Marshall who gave to the Obama campaign in 2008 included, Betty Cleckley, vice president of the university, Waseem Shora, professor of internal medicine, Nega Debela, professor of elementary and secondary education, Christopher Davis, graduate assistant in the College of Business, Sherri Smith, director for the Center for Advance of Teaching and Learning, and Elizabeth Coffey, secretary for the Autism Training Center.