For more than three decades, Kestrel, Fairmont State University’s literary journal, has served as a cultural and creative outlet for West Virginia and the Appalachian region. It remains the only print literary journal in the state backed by a higher education institution.
A VerySpatial Podcast, co-hosted by Fairmont State University faculty members Dr. Barbara MacLennan and Frank LaFone, GISP along with geographers Dr. Jesse Rouse and Dr. Sue Bergeron at Coastal Caroline University, has been recognized by FeedSpot as one of the Top 15 Geography Podcasts on the web. In addition, the podcast’s companion blog was ranked among the Top 100 GIS Blogs worldwide.
Fairmont State University’s Aviation Center of Excellence proudly celebrated the graduation of its fifth class of U.S. Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) Flight Academy cadets this summer. One college ROTC cadet and nine high school students from across the nation completed the intensive eight-week training program and earned their FAA private pilot certifications—maintaining the program’s perfect 100% pass rate for the fifth straight year.
Fairmont State University President Mike Davis has been named the 2025 recipient of the Francis H. Pierpont Visionary Award, presented during the Marion County Chamber of Commerce’s 71st Annual Awards Dinner on August 6th.
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.
Fairmont State University is proud to announce that it is the first higher education institution in West Virginia to have lifetime inductees into Gamma Sigma Theta – the National Honor Society for Geospatial Technology. This prestigious honor recognizes students and faculty for excellence in geospatial technology and applied geographic research.
Fairmont State University’s Middle College program is expanding its reach. Originally designed for West Virginia youth ages 16–18 currently in the foster care system, the program provided these students with a unique opportunity: to live on campus, complete their high school diploma, and simultaneously earn an associate degree—all before aging out of care.
Nestled in the heart of Appalachia, West Virginia is home to a rich and distinctive culture shaped by the ancient Appalachian Mountains—some of the oldest in the world, dating back nearly 480 million years to the Ordovician Period. These mountains, older than trees themselves, have long influenced the traditions and stories of the region.
Starting Fall 2025, Students Will Benefit from a Streamlined, Fully Online Textbook Shopping Experience
Fairmont State continues to serve North-Central West Virginia in the aftermath of the 2025 Father’s Day Flood. The University is hosting the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Center (BRC) to assist residents, businesses, and nonprofits impacted by the disaster om Room 304 of the Falcon Center.
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 is proud to announce that two of its student success leaders, R. Keith Gipson and Dedra Cobb, have been selected to present at two prestigious national conferences focused on student retention, advising and success.
Fairmont State University President Mike Davis will travel across the Mountain State from July 27 through August 1 as part of the 2025 Tour of West Virginia. This trip will strengthen relationships with communities and state leaders while celebrating the natural beauty and diversity of West Virginia. It also makes good on a commitment Davis made when he was hired in 2023: to visit every county in the state.
Two Fairmont State University students have been awarded summer fellowships from the Department of Humanities to pursue original research projects.
Fairmont State University graduate students, in collaboration with the City of Fairmont, Fairmont Parks and Recreation, and Morris Park, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 22, to celebrate the completion of a new Zen Garden at Morris Park.
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