Fairmont State University is pleased to announce that Student Government Association (SGA) President Sophie Stuart has been selected as a 2025 Newman Civic Fellow. This fellowship is a prestigious national honor recognizing students who are committed to public leadership, civic engagement, and creating positive change in their communities.
Fairmont State University strengthened its commitment to student success and retention by hosting nationally recognized Appreciative Advising leader Dr. Jennifer L. Bloom for a transformative professional development workshop. The event brought together faculty, staff, and student support professionals for an intensive session designed to sharpen advising and support strategies that empower students to thrive.
For Kenny and Teresa Wooddell, giving back is not about recognition. It is about gratitude, purpose, and creating a legacy that will outlive them in service to students who need a helping hand.
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.
The Fairmont State community lost a valued friend with the passing of JoAnn Lough on Jan. 2, 2024. She was 93. Lough taught theater at Fairmont State University where she introduced countless students to the diverse and colorful world of the performing arts. By insisting on the highest standards, Lough earned respect and admiration from students, many of whom returned to visit long after their graduation.
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 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.
Starting Fall 2025, Students Will Benefit from a Streamlined, Fully Online Textbook Shopping Experience
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.
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.
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