Phil Stanley

Background. Graphic design has been such a consuming interest for Phil Stanley that he made it his life’s work. After graduating from Marshall University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design, he worked for Ashland Oil for three years as a contract designer. His skills and experience then brought him to the Creative Services Department of The Herald-Dispatch, where he worked in positions of increasing responsibility for 20 years. In 2012, Cabell Huntington Hospital was able to lure him away from the newspaper to his current position as Creative Services Manager for the Marketing Department.

Phil has been married to his wife Jackie for 25 years. They live in Proctorville, Ohio with their twin daughters Chelsey and Chloe, who attend Marshall University.

Inspiration. As Phil grew up in Point Pleasant, WV, Marshall University was a common topic in the news and conversation. Although the tragic plane crash occurred when he was just an infant, over the years, Phil learned more details about the event and its repercussions. During his tenure at The Herald-Dispatch, Phil met many people who shared their personal experiences of the plane crash. Through their memories and those of his friend, sports columnist Ernie Salvatore, Phil came to more fully understand the magnitude of the disaster, and its impact on the history and spirit of Marshall University and on Huntington itself.

When Phil was approached to create a concept for the Artisans Express project, he immediately wanted to create a Marshall University memorial engine. With the help of Martin Brescoach, Phil’s vision was brought to life. His tribute to Marshall University encompasses not just a single tragic event, but the rippling effect it has had on students, families, the university and the community that continues to this day.