Audy Perry

"I never wanted to be anywhere else. Even during my college and law school years out of town, I would always return to Huntington for the summer. I have been blessed to travel across this bountiful country and many amazing places around the world, but I always look forward to coming home," said Audy Perry, a proud native of Huntington, West Virginia.

Serving as Heritage Farm's Executive Director, Audy's role ranges from feeding the animals to providing tours for students on a school trip; from working on new Smithsonian projects with the staff to attending a Chamber of Commerce or tourism board meeting. Initially, the farm hosted an annual Spring Festival, which started in 1996, and was the only day it was open to the public. In 2006, they added a petting zoo, a working saw mill and an Artisan Center, which houses the Heritage Farm Artisan Guild. Since then, the farm has grown immensely with museums that house Appalachian artifacts, reception halls, log cabin inns, a retreat center and walking trails. Dedicated to regional growth and the prosperity of Appalachia, Heritage Farm serves as West Virginia's first Smithsonian Affiliate Institution.

"I think we have a beautiful city with a proud heritage and great potential, but my favorite part of Huntington is its people-a vibrant, creative, intelligent and persevering collection of humanity," explained Audy. "My hope is that we live up to our potential and provide a place for all of our citizens to live, work and play with confidence, excellence and joy."

While Audy attended college elsewhere, the Marshall University Foundation holds a treasured place in his heart. He fondly recalls when his father, A. Michael Perry, served as the university's interim president and the entire family had pictures taken with Marco, the school mascot, in the President's Home. He believes the faculty and staff at @[Short2] take Huntington to the next level and truly make the university stand out through their efforts with students and community outreach. For this reason, and his deep family ties, Audy has chosen to remember the university in his estate plans.

"the Marshall University Foundation is critical to the success of our region. As the Marshall University Foundation grows, so does our region. @[Short2] has given so many opportunities to my family and friends that it is just a natural response to that gift," he said. "A legacy gift is key to the university planning for the future and weathering those unknown financial storms that may lay ahead."

Audy encourages students to focus on the problems they want to solve, not the money associated with solving them, because problem solvers are welcomed everywhere and reminds the next generation to look to the past.

"We come from an amazing heritage of problem solvers and those willing to work incredibly hard to persevere," said Audy, referencing the scripture of Isaiah 51:1. "For hope, look to the rock from which you were chiseled, the quarry from which you were dug."

His hope for the future of @[Short2] is simply that the best and brightest students continue to come to Huntington from all over the world.

"Faculty, staff, students, boards you name it-together, we have a chance to change the world, right here from the heart of Appalachia."