Apr 18, 2026
Coffee with the President - The College Tour
Host Alex Boylan has coffee with Dr. Mike Davis, President of Fairmont State University.
Host Alex Boylan has coffee with Dr. Mike Davis, President of Fairmont State University.
The gulf between a university president and the average college student is a large one. Presidents often seem inaccessible, and students hesitate to approach them, fearing they won’t have anything in common to discuss. Presidents typically know the top students, student leaders, and maybe a few performers on stage or in athletic arenas, but many are far removed from the day-to-day buzz of campus life.
President Davis’ guest this month is alumnus and Board of Governors member Drew Paton, who was once a transfer student from Maryland. He was looking for a great place to get a degree while also spreading his wings and stepping out of the shadow of his older brother.
With its strategic implementation plans gradually being carried out, Fairmont State University is seeing a rise in student retention and campus participation, although leaders believe the school has much more room to grow.
As I mentioned in last month’s editorial, higher education matters — not just for graduates, but also for our communities and for the state of West Virginia. I wrote about how college degrees lead to better pay, and how higher earnings mean greater financial stability, more secure housing and the ability to manage unexpected expenses.
This month’s video highlights the All Majors Career Fair on March 25 in Gyms 1 & 2. This is an annual university-wide event that brings together employers from various industries to recruit Fairmont State students and alumni. The fair provides opportunities for networking, internships, full-time employment, and professional connections.
Fairmont State University's Presidential Speaker Series welcomed College of Charleston Civility Initiative Director Dr. Michael Lee Thursday evening for a talk on the importance of civil, good faith discourse.
Fairmont State University President Michael Davis announced on WAJR’s Talk of the Town that the university has experienced year-to-year growth for the first time since 2022 with an overall increase in student enrollment of around ten percent. This marks an improvement from the approximately 3.4 percent growth that was seen at FSU between 2024 and 2025, which Davis considers a positive reflection of several initiatives taking shape at the university.
As president of Fairmont State University, I spend a lot of time talking with students and families about what college means for them — for their careers, their finances, and their futures. Those conversations matter. But they are only part of the story. Higher education is not just a private investment. It is a public good; and in West Virginia, that could not be more important.
While we have many upcoming events and opportunities across campus this month, February's update is all about Day of Giving.
President Davis guests on MetroNews Talkline about Fairmont State Day at the Capital.
Fairmont State University officials are preparing for their annual visit to the West Virginia Legislature later this week, during which Fairmont State President Dr. Mike Davis hopes to highlight the school’s successes, secure new partnerships and underline the importance of higher education.
We are starting off 2026 by focusing on our primary purpose: the success of our students. Fairmont State graduates job ready citizens who make their West Virginia communities stronger. We ensure our communities soar through economic impact, workforce development, and community engagement.
Fairmont State University is closing 2025 with a full executive leadership team and an in-progress strategic vision, and while the institution faced challenges like federal funding cuts this year, Fairmont State President Dr. Mike Davis believes the university is in a good spot heading into 2026.