Published: February 19, 2008 11:13 pm      

Atha family honored as MSU opens remodeled alumni center

Martha Lilly Atha said her husband, the late Herbert Earl Atha II, understood the importance of getting an education.

“He had to quit school in the 11th grade and go to work to support his family,” she said. “This really made him appreciate the power of getting a good education. He wanted all his family members to go to college. He knew it would be a key to success in the future.”

On Tuesday, Mountain State University officials hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly remodeled Erickson Alumni Center in Beckley.

The Atha Room was dedicated in honor of the Atha family, which has done so much to support higher education at MSU.

“The Atha family donated furniture for this room many years ago, and when it was time to remodel, they stepped forward again,” said Joe Long, president of MSU’s alumni association.

In 1993, the Alumni Center at MSU had a room dedicated to Martha Lilly Atha.

She said her husband wanted to give back to the community and felt he could best do it by supporting education.

“This school was important to the community, so he felt the need to support it,” Atha said. “He deserves all the credit.”

During Tuesday’s ceremony, the room was rededicated to both Martha and her late husband.

“This alumni center is used for alumni meetings,” Long said. “Any alumni that would like to use this center just needs to notify us. I encourage all alumni to just stop by and see this beautiful room and center.”

Sisters-in-law Donna Constantino and Christy Atha, who also manage the Cranberry Station store in Beckley, were the driving forces behind the design of The Atha Room.

“We took the school’s colors, coat of arms and emblems to design this room,” Constantino said. “We tried to complement the style of this traditional looking facility.”

Other family members on hand included two sons, Herbert Earl Atha III and Randy Atha.

The alumni association also presented the first alumni scholarship to the MSU Foundation.

“The alumni council and association have been raising money for a scholarship endowment fund that has been established to be awarded to the alumni to come back to further their education or for the children, grandchildren or even great-grandchildren of alumni,” Long explained.

Long presented MSU President Charles Polk with a check for $13,265.20.

“We are planning to increase that amount so it grows and helps alumni and their families,” Long added. “We are giving back and encourage all alumni to give back as well.”

E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com