Jim signs his new book, Marshall University, on Friday, Dec. 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Stadium Books, 1949 5th Avenue.

Part of Arcadia's Campus History Series, this remarkable volume features more than 200 historic photographs from the Marshall archives and chronicles the dramatic Marshall saga. It offers glimpses of Marshall students at work and play, records the proud accomplishments of those who guided the school to its destiny, and provides an informative look at the steady growth of the campus over the years. For more about the book, released just last autumn, click here.

And if you don't want to wait until the signing to get your copy, you can obtain it directly from the author for $20 plus $5 shipping and handling.

Casto recently retired from The Herald-Dispatch, where he was a reporter and editor for more than 40 years. A native of Huntington, he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in English at Marshall.

In recent ceremonies, President Dan Angel presented Casto with the John Marshall Medal of Civic Responsibility, one of the university's highest honors.