October 22 was a busy day for Fairmont State University’s Board of Governors and senior leadership as they held their bi-monthly board meeting, then joined in the grand opening of the campus’ new spirit store.
The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center will soon feature a new exhibition, Interwoven: The Fiber Arts Legacy of Arthurdale, in partnership with Arthurdale Heritage.
Fairmont State University’s 2025-26 Presidential Speaker Series is now underway, continuing its mission to bring distinguished leaders to campus to explore topics shaping today’s world, including politics, economics, civics, the arts and culture. Since its launch last fall, the series has sparked meaningful dialogue and fostered intellectual engagement throughout the Falcon community.
Fairmont State University will kick off its 2025–26 Artist-in-Residence program with a Community Halloween Square Dance at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center. The event will be led by Annick Odom, this year’s artist-in-residence.
From eerie shadows in the hills to glowing eyes in the night, West Virginia’s legendary creatures have captured imaginations for generations. Are these monsters real, or just spooky campfire stories passed down through the years?
Fairmont State University will once again welcome The Rustic Mechanicals as they bring Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy Macbeth to campus as part of their 2025 Vaulting Ambition Tour. A beloved stop on every tour, Fairmont State is thrilled to host West Virginia’s only traveling Shakespeare troupe, which has been performing the classics since its founding in 2014.
Fairmont State University has announced the schedule for its 2025 Homecoming, October 6 - 11. This year’s theme, “Falcon Frenzy: Falcons Unleashed,” will bring together students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the community for a week filled with traditions and celebrations, including the parade, bonfire, alumni reunions, and Falcon football.
Fairmont State University’s Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center, in partnership with Dr. Tadashi Kato, Professor of Psychology, will host Dance Meditation with Eastern European Folk Music on Wednesday, September 24, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on the second floor of the Folklife Center.
Fairmont State University has been awarded $16,000 through the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC) to host a series of events and activities promoting academic success, social belonging, and cultural capital-building for first-generation college students on campus.
Fairmont State University is thrilled to announce that Echosmith, the multi-platinum alt-pop trio best known for their smash hit “Cool Kids,” will headline the Fall Concert on Friday, Sept. 19. The event begins at 7 p.m., with Echosmith premiering at 8 p.m. The concert will be held outdoors on the Falcon Center Quad, with a special VIP Meet & Greet prior to the show.
Fairmont State University has announced the lineup for its 2025–2026 Presidential Speaker Series. Since its start last fall, the Series has brought distinguished leaders to campus to address topics such as politics, economics, civics, the arts, and culture—sparking meaningful dialogue and fostering intellectual engagement throughout the Falcon community.
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.
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 recently dedicated a new Trex bench on campus, celebrating the success of a student-led sustainability initiative spearheaded by one of the university’s newest student organizations, the Rotaract Club.
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.
If you have written a news release and would like to have it posted on the news site or sent to media outlets, please send the release to news@fairmontstate.edu 7-10 days in advance of your targeted release date. Please include a photo when possible.
