Fairmont State University Department of Architecture, Art + Design has been awarded a grant through the WV State Historic Preservation Office to offer a hands-on historic trades and window rehabilitation workshop.
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.
Fairmont State University welcomed faculty and staff back from summer break with its annual Opening Session and Welcome Back Breakfast, celebrating a year of significant accomplishments and setting a course for the flourishing year ahead. Most notably, the University is experiencing prominent growth in both overall enrollment and student retention for the Fall 2025 semester. Specifically, undergraduate enrollment is expected to increase by 9%, retention rates are projected to rise by 8%, and there is an anticipated 18% increase in graduate studies enrollment—bringing approximately 300 additional students to campus altogether.
Starting Fall 2025, Students Will Benefit from a Streamlined, Fully Online Textbook Shopping Experience
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has selected Fairmont State University to host the 2026 Civil Engineering Student Championships, marking the first time this prestigious international competition will be held in West Virginia. The multi-day championship is expected to draw hundreds of students, faculty, judges, and spectators to campus, offering a unique opportunity for engagement and visibility.
Fairmont State University proudly celebrates Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Jared Tadlock, who has been named one of the 2025 Generation Next: 40 Under 40 honorees by The State Journal and WV News. Tadlock was selected from hundreds of applicants across West Virginia for his professional excellence, creative leadership, and lasting impact on both campus and community.
Fairmont State University led West Virginia in the highest per capita number of mathematics graduates among public higher education institutions from 2018 to 2023. During this period, 40 students earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, averaging eight graduates per year.
Over 1,000 Fairmont State University baccalaureate students have been honored for their academic achievements throughout the Spring 2025 semester.
Fairmont State University students recently took center stage in a unique interdisciplinary celebration of original fiction and visual art, organized by Dr. Robert Powers, assistant professor of English. The event featured student-written stories from Dr. Powers’ fiction workshop course, alongside artwork inspired by those stories and created by students in Professor Joel Dugan’s special topics illustration course.
Fairmont State University is pleased to announce the launch of a new Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES) program, set to begin in Fall 2025. The MSES program is housed in the Department of Natural Sciences within the College of Science and Technology and is designed to address critical environmental and economic needs across West Virginia and the broader Appalachian region.
Fairmont State University will serve as the proud host of the 2025 Northeast Aerial Drone Competition Championship, a premier four-day event set to take place at the Falcon Center from May 29 through June 1. Bringing together 120 top drone teams of middle and high school students from Maine to Kentucky, this event is the largest of its kind in the country and a celebration of innovation, engineering, and student achievement in STEM education.
Fairmont State University continues its upward trajectory, welcoming its largest orientation group in years on May 10. Nearly 200 new and returning students arrived on campus, signaling a strong start to the academic year and underscoring the university’s growing momentum in enrollment and student success.
As Fairmont State University prepares for Commencement on May 17, the Office of the Provost and Faculty Senate took some time to honor its faculty at an awards and recognition lunch held in Colebank Gym. During the ceremony, individuals were celebrated for their years of service to the University and accomplishments such as promotions and tenure. The Faculty Senate also presented special awards.
Eight forensic science students from Fairmont State University recently attended the 2025 American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Annual Conference. This premier event draws leading forensic professionals, researchers, and students from across the nation. The conference, held earlier this year, provided an invaluable platform for students to present their work, engage with experts, and explore diverse career pathways within the field of forensic science.
After a highly competitive national search that attracted more than 70 applications, President Michael Davis has selected Dr. Allen J. Bedford as Fairmont State University’s next Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA). The search process was assisted by a committee consisting of representatives from all five colleges, the Faculty Senate, Staff Council, Student Government, Provost’s Office, and Executive Leadership Team. Bedford will begin his new role on June 2.
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