Paying It Forward: Endowed scholarship opens doors for future physicians
When Dr. Michael Edmond reflects on his journey from high school in Marion County, West Virginia to the role of Chief Medical Officer, he points to a pivotal beginning: Fairmont State University.
Now, more than 40 years after earning his undergraduate degree from Fairmont State University, Edmond is giving back to the university that helped launch his career in medicine with a gift to establish the Michael Edmond, MD Endowed Scholarship.
This scholarship will support graduates of Marion County high schools who are first-generation college students and intend to pursue medical school after graduating from Fairmont State – students who are just beginning their climb toward careers as physicians.
Edmond credits his undergraduate experience at Fairmont State for laying the groundwork for his success. “At Fairmont State, I had excellent professors who provided me with the educational foundation needed to navigate the academic challenges of medical school,” he said.
After medical school and residency at West Virginia University, Edmond held roles at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Iowa. Today, he leads statewide healthcare initiatives as the Chief Medical Officer for the West Virginia University Health System, working to improve healthcare access and outcomes across five states and 25 hospitals.
His new scholarship is deeply personal. “As a first-generation college student from Marion County, I wanted to create a scholarship for someone like me,” he said. “The student body at Fairmont State has always had a high proportion of first-generation students. So, the scholarship is for a first-generation student from Marion County who wants to pursue a career in medicine.”
“Dr. Edmond’s gift is the perfect intersection of giving and institutional vision,” Mike Davis, President of Fairmont State University, said. “Fairmont State is a Great Place to Learn, and we work every day to uphold that promise. As a first-generation student from this area, Dr. Edmond understands and appreciates how hard we work to provide transformative educational experiences. The scholarship he has endowed will inspire the next generation of home-grown talent.”
Edmond has also established a companion scholarship at the WVU School of Medicine for Fairmont State graduates who continue their medical education at WVU.
His vision is simple but impactful: to ease the path for students following in his footsteps. “First-generation college students face a number of challenges, and my hope for both scholarships is to make the recipients’ paths a bit easier,” he said.
Marissa Mauro, Director of Development at the Fairmont State Foundation, acknowledged Edmond's generosity as a powerful example of alumni giving back with purpose. “Gifts like Dr. Edmond’s are transformational, not only for the students who receive the scholarship but for the entire university community. They show what is possible when alumni invest in the next generation. We are deeply grateful for his vision and generosity, and we look forward to seeing the lives that will be changed because of this gift.”
Edmond’s story is one of success, gratitude, and a commitment to ensuring that today’s students have the same opportunities that Fairmont State once provided him. Through this endowed scholarship, his legacy will continue to inspire and support aspiring physicians from Marion County for generations to come.
For more information about establishing a scholarship at Fairmont State University,
visit www.fsufoundation.org/create-scholarship or contact 304-534-8786.
