Institutional Advancement

Michael spent more than 30 years at Fairmont State before retiring in 2011 while serving as the Vice President for Student Affairs. He is now giving back in a new role as a Donor Liaison for Institutional Advancement. During his career, Michael played a key role in the Freshman Counselor program where he helped build future leaders.

Amantha joined the Office of Institutional Advancement in 2007.  As the Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, she works closely with the administration and faculty to advance priority projects and cultivate partnerships with private foundations and corporations to support the strategic goals of the University. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with our fantastic faculty at Fairmont State,” she said.  “They have so many exciting and innovative programs and ideas that provide a first-class educational experience for our students. Meaningful corporate and foundation partnerships help to make these opportunities available to our students and also significantly benefit our region.”   Amantha knows first-hand the high-quality education that Fairmont State provides to students. She transferred to Fairmont State as a non-traditional student and, in 2003, graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.  When not on campus, Amantha enjoys flower gardening, cooking, spending time with her church family, and playing bass guitar.  She makes her home in Fairview with her husband, Peter Ray Cole.

Beth, who is the Administrative Assistant to the Vice-President of Institutional Advancement, is currently pursuing a Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree from West Virginia University with an area of emphasis in Sociology.  She has lived in Fairmont all of her life and is happy to call it home. Beth says she enjoys working in Institutional Advancement because it affords her the opportunity to meet some great people and to raise scholarship money which will benefit our students. As the first person people see when visiting the Institutional Advancement office, Beth provides a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.

When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, and is an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins. Her husband, Jim, is a Clinical Educator at Mon. General Hospital and the couple has two sons, Jeremy’10 and Jared, who will graduate in 2012 from Pierpont C&TC.

Lori has been with Fairmont State since 2004 when she served as a Program Assistant for the Office of Institutional Advancement. After transition through several roles, she currently serves as the Special Events Coordinator.  Lori has lived in Farmington for more than 23 years with her husband, Charles, and three wonderful children; Savanna, Adam and Gabrielle.  When she is not planning events, she loves to spend time with her family, several pets and enjoying her new hobby of photography. “I find that my new role as the Special Events Coordinator has been very exciting because there is always something new to experience and I feel very proud when an event is successful and can’t wait to plan for the next one,” she recently commented. “I also want to acknowledge the outstanding IA team for all of their support.”

Clark earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an associate’s degree in Information Systems from Fairmont State University in 2001 and obtained his master’s degree in Sport Management from West Virginia University in 2004.  Prior to joining the FSU staff in August 2011, Riley was an employee of United Bankshares, Inc.  Clark has spent much of his career in higher education including time at University of Michigan, West Virginia University, and UNC-Charlotte. He is a native of Shinnston and currently resides there with his wife, Carey, and their three children, Payton, Emery, and Jackson.

Jessica earned a bachelor’s degree in Advertising from West Virginia University 2005, including a minor in Women’s Studies.  Since graduation, she has lived in Hong Kong; Washington, D.C.; Morgantown; and currently resides in Bridgeport.  When she is not fundraising for FSU, she enjoys baking delicious sweets for her husband, son, and goldendoodle puppy.  In a past interview Jessica said, “I am very passionate about the Fairmont Fund because the dollars raised are put to immediate use.  These funds will be used in areas with the greatest need.  Being the Annual Fund Coordinator is exciting because I feel like I am truly making a difference at Fairmont State.”

Emily is a 2006 graduate of Fairmont State University and has been a member of the Institutional Advancement staff since 2008. “As an alumna of FSU, I feel a certain connection to the institution,” she explains. “I’m grateful for the experiences and opportunities provided to me by Fairmont State and I love working with alumni who have their own story to tell.”  Emily lives in Fairmont with her husband and son.