Terry Marshall '09, G'11

From the moment Terry Marshall ’09, G’11 stepped onto the Syracuse University campus, he felt welcomed by the Orange community. Marshall, a member of both the Orange track and field and cross country teams, earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering from the College of Engineering and Computer Science. 

After working as an engineer for more than five years, Marshall moved over to management, serving in engineering sales since 2016. He also founded Educated Socially, an education technology startup company focused on making educational resources available to all students in peer-to-peer education. 

Marshall, a director on the Syracuse University Alumni Association (SUAA) Board, discusses why he serves on the Board, how Syracuse University impacted his life, the best piece of advice he ever received and more in our debut Friday Five feature. 

1. Why did you join the SUAA Board, and why is it important to give back to Syracuse University as an SUAA Board member?

“Paying it forward. The board allows me an opportunity to give back purposefully and to encourage other alumni to remain engaged and to contribute. The student experience is really supported by the capacity of an alumnus to give back philanthropically, to give of your time and to support the Orange movement. We want to keep supporting excellence at Syracuse University and certainly the role that the board plays is part of that process.”

2. What stands out about your time as a Syracuse student?

“Syracuse University paved the way for me and laid the foundation for the rest of my life. I was just 18 years old, a kid from Barbados attending this huge university, by Barbados standards. It was just remarkable, the level of education and the value I gleaned from the entire experience. It was second to none.”

3. What’s the best piece of advice you ever received/what advice would you give to a current student?

“It was difficult for me being a Division I athlete (hurdler) and an engineering student. My professors recognized this and encouraged me to not give up. I’m grateful every day for that advice. I’d give current students the same advice: never give up, and to value and treasure your time at Syracuse. Four years goes by quickly, but what you can do in four years can easily make the remainder of your life that much easier.”

4. What’s your favorite piece of Syracuse swag that you own?

“I was spoiled being a Division I student-athlete and I still have lots of SU swag. We had backpacks, sweats and hoodies. I kept my favorite hoodies and things that remind me of the significant events. Maybe I had a great race in the Big East or at the Big East Championships and I held onto the backpack to remind myself of when I was walking up to the starting line.”

5. What does it mean to be Orange?

“We bleed Orange. We’re part of a community of people who care about each other, who stand for what is right and who value each other. It is difficult to forget that feeling of when I came from Barbados to Syracuse and how welcome I felt. I remember saying to myself ‘this feeling is going to fade,’ but it lasted my whole career. The same genuine welcoming spirit exists every time I visit camps and that is what it means to be Orange.”