Scholarship Honors Lifetime of Robert L. Heffner Jr.

The Robert L. Heffner Jr. Endowed Scholarship in Graphics Arts was created in June 2012 by his family and friends as a way to honor his lifetime of dedication to Fairmont State University, Pierpont Community & Technical College and the community.

Robert L. Heffner Jr. was born on July 3, 1951, in Fairmont to Julia Morrison Heffner and the late Robert L. Heffner. He attended Jayenne School, Fairmont Junior High and graduated in 1969 from Fairmont Senior High.

At Fairmont Senior, he served as photographer for Maple Leaves, Hi-Life Newspaper and Scratches Literary Magazine. A National Merit semifinalist, he enrolled at Fairmont State College in the fall of 1969 and graduated in December 1973 with a degree in Theatre Production and a minor in Philosophy.

While at FSC, he was a member of Alpha Psi Omega drama honorary, Masquers and the Town and Gown resident company. As a college student, Heffner designed and hand silk-screened many of the posters for the Town and Gown Summer Tent Theatre Company and the regular Masquers productions.

On July 1, 1974, he became Fairmont State’s first full-time graphics arts designer with the establishment of the Learning Resource Center, which was housed on the first floor of the Ruth Ann Musick Library.

Heffner continued his work in graphics, media, production and web design over the years, working with FSC and community college faculty and staff as both institutions grew and evolved into today’s Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College.

Heffner’s credits today are included in myriad books, posters, historical displays and other information seen on campus. He ended his 37-year career as team leader of the Web and Graphics Design Group for Fairmont State University. After a heroic struggle with illness, Heffner passed away on Oct. 13, 2011.

He was married to Jan Woodward. His wife, parents, his brother Richard and his son Jacob all are Fairmont State graduates.

Within its first month of creation, the scholarship committee raised $14,000 of the $25,000 needed for an endowed scholarship. There has been a very warm response from his family, friends and colleagues.

With his far-reaching curiosity, Bob Heffner always found ways to look at things out of the ordinary and transform them into imagery and action. He was always there to assist students, faculty and community representatives without qualm or question. His quiet, humble and generous nature often overshadowed his many talents, skills and abilities.

A s Thoreau aptly stated: “If one advances confidently in the direction of one’s dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

For more information on how to contribute to the Robert L. Heffner Jr. Scholarship, contact the Fairmont State-Pierpont Foundation, Inc. at (304) 534-8786.

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