When were you a student in the Honors Program at Fairmont State University – and why
did you pick Fairmont?I was in the Honors Program at Fairmont State from fall 2017- spring 2021. I served as the program’s secretary Spring 2018, and then president until Fall 2020. I chose Fairmont State because of the generous scholarship opportunities and the small class sizes that allowed me to form invaluable connections with my professors and peers.
I think that the value of an Honors education is in the way the curriculum allows for so much discovery, both personal and academic. I was given opportunities through the program that I would not have had otherwise in terms of building leadership skills through my officer positions, forming connections with the people around me during program activities and in classes, and finding my place both in the world and within myself as a result.
Some of my most cherished memories regarding my time with the Fairmont State University Honors Program happened during the study abroad trips that would be held during spring break. I was able to attend the 2018 trip to Athens, Greece, and the 2019 trip to Rome, Italy before the pandemic. Because of these trips, I was able to see and do things I had only dreamed about before. I still carry these experiences with me in my current everyday and am so grateful to have had the opportunities. Though the pandemic has put a hold on the continuation of the trips, I think that the dedication of the program to nurture a sense of global citizenship in students is still very much alive in their absence and the reason that my experience was so impactful.
Since graduating from Fairmont State University in May 2021, I was accepted as a Syracuse University School of Visual and Performing Arts Masters in Fine Arts candidate and am currently in my second semester of the three year program. This semester, I am based in Los Angeles, California after being chosen for the Turner Semester Residency graciously supported by Marylyn Ginsburg-Klaus and Chuck Klaus. I will be spending the semester expanding my visual art practice and creating work that will culminate in an exhibition in a Los Angeles gallery at the end of April. It’s hard to say where I will end up next, but I hope to continue building a career as a practicing professional artist in Los Angeles, New York, and beyond.
The advice I would give current Fairmont State Honors students would be to take advantage of every opportunity you are given. Your education is only as rich as you make it, I cannot express the importance of nourishing your physical, mental, and spiritual self with the absolute wealth of support and knowledge the Honors Program has the ability to impart. Stay open, curious, and know that you are so very capable to be exactly who you want to be!
What brought you to Fairmont State University and why did you join the Honors Program?I chose Fairmont State University because it is close to home and near all of my friends! I joined the Honors Program to be involved with a smaller group of students in and out of class. I attended a small private school my whole life and graduated in a class of five. I was used to being around a small group of people and the Honors program gave me the opportunity to meet new people in a smaller setting.
My favorite thing about the Honors program at Fairmont State University is the exposure that I have had to new ideas and thought processes. Going into college, I thought my studies would only focus on the subject I was majoring in. In each of my Honors classes, I have learned about how the subject of the course relates to and impacts my life personally. This not only helps me apply coursework to my personal goals and decision-making later on in life, but it also allows me to see how our ideas and actions as humans affect the world around us!
I am currently an English Literature major with a minor in Professional Writing. I hope to attend graduate school to finish a PhD in English and later become a college professor. Soon after starting college, I realized how much I enjoyed being on campus, interacting with my teachers and learning new things. Being able to teach students and help them through their college experience would be very rewarding. One of the biggest lessons I have been taught in the Honors program is that you never stop learning throughout your life, so becoming a professor would aid my lifelong education as well!
My advice to a future Honors student would be to not let fear hold you back from your goals. I used to be a very fearful, anxious person until I came to college. Throughout my time in the Honors program, I have faced a great deal of my fears and anxieties. It has been apparent to me that without doing things that make me uncomfortable I will not grow or obtain my goals. I have found that facing my greatest fears or worries helps me find more contentment, maturity, and happiness in life.
Ally is the co-recipient of the first J. Robert Baker Scholarship for Excellence in Honors!
What brought you to Fairmont State University and why did you join the Honors Program?I attended Fairmont State for the community atmosphere on campus and the enhanced academics through small course sizes. I joined the Honors Program for the challenging coursework and opportunities to get involved on and off campus. In high school I was a member of the National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars, and I wanted to continue that trend while in college.
Some of my favorite memories from my time in the Honors Program have been the events. During my freshman and sophomore years at Fairmont State, I toured Washington, DC with my Honors family to see monuments, museums, and exhibits. On campus, we had various events and activities to promote both community and academics.
After graduating from Fairmont State’s Honors Program, I hope life takes me to the next academic step of earning my M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University, and advancing in my career as a Public Affairs Mass Communication Specialist in the U.S. Army Reserve.
My advice to future Honors students at Fairmont State is to take advantage of the resources the Honors Program provides. Attend meetings, take part in events, vote in elections, and jump at any opportunity to get involved. These will be the memories that will follow you after you graduate.
Kayleigh is the co-recipient for the first J. Robert Baker Scholarship for Excellence in Honors!
ow long have you been involved in the Honors Program and in what capacity do you support
the Honors Program?I can’t remember a time at Fairmont State when I wasn’t involved in the Honors Program, so my first Honors class must have come soon after my arrival in 2015. The Director of Honors at the time, Dr. Robert Baker, who also happened to be my department Chair, was always incredibly kind and encouraged my involvement. Many courses, events, and trips later, I continue to support the Honors Program however I can; it is an invaluable part of our university.
The smaller, more intimate nature of Honors courses allows some really special communities and friendships to develop each semester. Some students come into Honors thinking that the courses will be harder. Speaking for myself, an Honors education isn’t about that at all. Rather, it’s about creating and facilitating environments that enable students to get the most out of their education and time at Fairmont State.
There are many. As someone who loves to explore the world and get to know people, the trips to Boston, New Orleans, and Rome are pretty hard to beat. But I’ve been very lucky to be surrounded by some truly wonderful students every year, so my favorite memories come from the relationships that form, and the special conversations I get to have with students in and out of the classroom every semester; education goes both ways, and I still have a lot to learn too.
Yes. Go easy on yourself. In my experience, Honors programs sometimes house a particular kind of personality, and these individuals can push themselves pretty hard sometimes. Drive and ambition can be really productive, but they can also overwhelm and distract from more important things. While grades matter to some extent, they can also be very unreliable indicators of learning. So carve out a career path because what you do brings you joy, and prioritize your mental health. Balance, in all things.
Dr. Myers was nominated for the spotlight by Fairmont State Honors student Molly Simpson, who had this to say: "Dr. Myers creates an energetic, informative, and fun learning environment. He incorporates real-life issues into his curriculum tastefully and pairs these topics with an admirable amount of humor and personality. I have him for Honors Written English II, and this has been my favorite class to date at Fairmont State. His unique take on the content makes the class refreshing and enjoyable to attend!"
When were you a student in the Honors Program at Fairmont State University – and why
did you pick Fairmont?I joined Fairmont State during the Fall of 2009. I picked it because I was granted the International Student Scholarship. I contacted Dr. Baker and he was kind enough to let me in the Honors Program as soon as I enrolled in 2009. Since then, I fulfilled the Honors requirement and graduated in the Spring of 2013.
Being part of the Honors Program allowed me to register for courses with Honors sections which were offered by some of the most diligent and dedicated faculty on campus. These courses allowed me to use my imagination and creativity to ask interesting questions that lead to a better understanding of the course material. I also took part in the Honors Mentoring Program which really helped me grow as a mentor and made me realize how much I enjoyed helping others. One of my favorite memories was also being part of the Honors (and International) residence hall on my final year when I got to work along with other amazing friends from the Honors Program. Honors events were also some of my favorite events on campus (for example the DC trip, Honors Luau, etc.).
After graduating from Fairmont, I finished my Master's in mathematics from Loyola University Chicago. Now, I am doing my PhD in mathematics at the University of Iowa. I hope to become a professor of mathematics one day and help undergraduate students learn the beauty of mathematics.
To the current Honors students, I would like to say that there are many opportunities that will come your way as part of being in this program that will help you gain different perspectives, learn from excellent mentors, and grow as independent and critical thinkers. You should take advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible while your time as a student in Fairmont State Honors Program. Also, make sure to enjoy all the fun events put on by the Honors Program!
