Ben Marshall

Undergraduate computer science student Ben Marshall

Class of 2018, Bachelor of Science in computer science, minor in entrepreneurship
Fredericksburg, Virginia

Ben Marshall believes that “opportunity is everywhere at Radford.” As a junior majoring in computer science with an entrepreneurship minor, Marshall has seized Radford’s opportunities and has excelled.

Marshall was a star high school student in Fredericksburg, Va., but after accepting admittance to a university in New York City and realizing he could not afford the high tuition, Marshall began researching universities in Virginia, and Radford University stood out.

As an up-and-coming coder, Marshall was attracted to Radford University’s computer science program which is well-designed and has intriguing course requirements. When Marshall contacted Radford University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions they worked one-on-one with him to ensure he could attend Radford on time. And, because of Marshall’s past experiences, Radford’s affordable tuition appealed to him.

When applying to Radford University, Marshall was also awarded the Presidential Scholarship, one of the most prestigious, merit-based scholarships awarded to deserving incoming freshmen with a high school history of academic honors and extensive extracurricular activities.

“I wouldn’t be able to attend Radford University if I didn’t receive the Presidential Scholarship. When my financial aid came up short, Radford University’s Presidential Scholarship made the difference,” said Marshall.

With the Presidential Scholarship assisting financially, Marshall accepted Radford University as his new home.

Since entering Radford University as a freshman, Marshall has had personal relationships with faculty and staff that have allowed him to continue to excel in his classes and embrace innovation in and out of the classroom.

“I had the awesome opportunity to be in a special section of University 100, where professors would just come in and talk about the research that they were working on, from tiny houses to growing giant cockroaches!” said Marshall.

During the University 100 class, a course designed for new Radford University students to make a successful transition from high school, Marshall continued to develop his own project, Positive Piano, a computer program that provides piano instruction. At the end of spring semester last year, Marshall’s courses and work with faculty had improved his computer application to the point where he was able to release Positive Piano online to the world.

“People have this misconception that coding is a ton of math, and that it is monotonous or just boring in general. In reality, it is more like an art!” explained Marshall. “There is so much creativity and freedom of expression within it, and it’s a lot fun to work with a client to see their vision come to life, or to have a vision yourself and execute on it.”

After graduation, Marshall wants to use his passion for computer science and entrepreneurship to work in the software engineering industry and eventually have his own business creating computer or mobile applications. 

Marshall’s journey to Radford University instilled in him a passion to work hard and a reason not to give up on his great opportunity. As a Radford University student, Marshall has become the next generation of innovative change makers, ready and prepared to shake up the STEM world.