Dr. Robert B. Hayes was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and made his way to Huntington in 1965. He moved to Huntington because he was selected dean of the Marshall University College of Education where he served until 1974. He then was named president of Marshall University. Dr Hayes contributed significantly to the economic, educational, medical, cultural, social and civic well-being of Huntington.
During his tenure as president, Dr. Hayes was instrumental in establishing and obtaining accreditation for the Marshall University School of Medicine; established the Marshall University Community and Technical College; and completed more than $50 million in campus improvements including construction of Corbly Hall, the Henderson Center and the purchase of the Doctor's Memorial Building for the School of Medicine. He also was instrumental in the upgrading of the university's regional accreditation.
Dr. Hayes was active in the Kiwanis Club, the Green Acres Board of Directors, the Greater Huntington Area and West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the United Way Board of Directors and Faith United Methodist Church.
His honors include the Outstanding Service Award of Green Acres Regional Center, the distinguished Achievement Award in Teacher Education, the Huntington District United Methodist Church Layman of the Year Award, Honorary Alumnus of the School of Medicine, the West Virginia Son of the Year by the West Virginia Society of Washington, D.C., and Who's Who in America. Marshall University awarded him the title President Emeritus in 1993. He also received the Marshall Alumni Association's Honorary Alumnus and Distinguished Service Awards and the University's Distinguished Service award.
