Inauguration History & Traditions

Fairmont State University’s roots reach back to the very formation of public education in the state of West Virginia. The first private normal school in West Virginia, the West Virginia Normal School at Fairmont, was established in Fairmont in 1865 by John N. Boyd, the school's first principal, to train teachers. And for nearly 160 years, Fairmont State has transformed the lives of students and communities.

The University experienced many changes in its name over the past 159 years, reflecting the ongoing, dynamic expansion of programs and purpose. What started as the West Virginia Normal School at Fairmont changed to Fairmont State Normal School in the 1870s, to Fairmont State Teachers College in 1931, to Fairmont State College in 1944, and finally to Fairmont State University in 2004.

Read More about Fairmont State's History

Gonfalons are long banners suspended from a crossbar. The name derives from medieval Italy, where gonfaloni was the name given to community meetings in Florence. Each neighborhood had its own flag and coat of arms; the word gonfalon eventually came to be associated with the flag. At Fairmont State University, each of the five colleges has a gonfalon and is carried by a "gonfalonier" ahead of the college’s faculty when processing. 

The academic apparel, or “regalia,” worn at commencement ceremonies has its origins in the 12th and 13th centuries when scholars—students and teachers—at European universities wore hoods and gowns as their customary, daily attire (the long gowns may have been necessary for warmth in unheated buildings). The American fashion of academic caps and gowns derives from the gowns worn at Oxford University.

The bachelor's gown is traditionally distinguished by its long-pointed sleeves. The master's gown is similar, except for having oblong sleeves from which the forearm protrudes through a slit near the elbow. The doctor's gown has rounded sleeves and has velvet panels around the neck and down the front of the gown, as well as three velvet bars on the sleeves. On presidential gowns, four velvet bars adorn the sleeves. The colors of doctor’s gowns and/or velvet frontings and arm bands may represent the school colors of that scholar’s alma mater or the scholar’s field of study.

Hoods are typically worn with master's and doctoral gowns. Originally, the hood was used as a cowl, cape, and when hung from the shoulder, a sack to collect alms. It is said that when large wigs were in fashion, the cap section of the hood then fell back clear of the wig. This hood style continues to today, with the narrow end of the hood shaped as a neckband connecting the two halves of the cape.

Like the gown, the hood differs for various degrees. The doctor's hood is the longest and is a fuller shape than the master's hood and is usually bordered with velvet, the color of which indicates the kind of degree. The hood is lined with silk in the colors of the institution that granted the degree and/or the color representing the scholar’s field of study (the assignment of colors to signify certain degrees was a later development and was standardized in the United States in the late 19th century).

The traditional rule is that a candidate for a degree should not wear that degree's hood until it is conferred. 

The Presidential Chain of Office is bestowed upon each president by Fairmont State University’s Board of Governors. As part of today’s investiture of President Michael K. Davis, a ceremonial chain was cast to encircle the presidential medallion.

The university’s seal is the centerpiece of the chain and highlights Fairmont State University’s core values of scholarship, opportunity, achievement, and responsibility. These four core values are also represented as links on the chain by four engraved falcon medallions. Two maroon gems bear witness to the University’s primary color. Two tree medallions symbolize the University as the trunk; faculty, staff, and administration as the branches; and the students and alumni as the leaves.

The presidential chain is used in conjunction with all ceremonial academic affairs events and is worn any time the president of the university wears the academic regalia. It is regarded as part of the enduring legacy and permanent insignia of office. 

The mace was a formidable weapon in medieval times. However, since the sixteenth century in England and America it has become a symbol of office, order, and governance.

In higher education institutions, the mace is a symbol of the legal and chartered authority of the President, to whom the Board of Governors have delegated authority. It is a ceremonial staff, bearing engraved images and words that represent distinguishing characteristics of the institution.

Fairmont State University’s mace was crafted from native cherry wood and bears an early seal of the University. This seal portrays one of the sturdy stone columns of Hardway Hall, a symbol of our strength and endurance, and a reminder of how far we’ve come since our founding in 1865.

During the processional, the ceremonial mace is carried by the President of the Faculty Senate. 

As the Fighting Teachers of Fairmont State Teachers College faded away in 1943 and the new Fairmont State College arose, the students of FSC were left without a mascot. Just three years prior, the Fighting Teacher made his first appearance dressed in a long-tailed coat, wire-framed glasses and carrying a pile of books.

The 1940s provided an unusual campus environment with many men away fighting in World War II. With the end of the war in 1945 and the signing of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, students began returning to campus in large numbers. By 1947 campus was booming again. As athletic schedules were made and events were planned, the brothers of Tau Beta Iota fraternity saw the lack of a Fairmont State College mascot as an opportunity to "hatch" a plan.

On Saturday, September 27, 1947, pedestrians in downtown Fairmont were greeted with an interesting sight - a truck driving around town with an "egg" and signs advertising that evening's football game against Glenville State. Hours later, during halftime, the mascot's egg was "hatched”, and the Falcon made his first appearance.

Robert Barrett Hall (1923-1995) served as the first Falcon, and 77  years later the Falcon spirit is still alive. Today, the Fighting Falcon stands as a symbol of the spirit of Fairmont State University. From the bravery of starting a new educational journey, to the determination of finishing a degree, to the foresight of what career path to choose, Fairmont State University Falcons soar. 

The University Seal is an expression of our identity and is used when marking formal ceremonies, such as inaugurations and commencements, as well as on documents of institutional and legal importance, such as diplomas, transcripts, and ceremonial programs.

Fairmont State University’s seal includes iconography that represents our identity and history. The torch symbolizes our search for enlightenment through education. The columns of Hardway Hall—the first campus building—represent our origin in 1865 as well as our long-standing commitment to education.

Our values are prominent in the center of our seal, and represent every Falcon’s ability to SOAR:   

• SCHOLARSHIP: To celebrate the joy and wonder of discovery.  
• OPPORTUNITY: To grow, learn, engage, and contribute.   
• ACHIEVEMENT: To reach personal and community goals.   
• RESPONSIBILITY: To fulfill obligations to ourselves, the learning community, our society, and the future.