Over 1,000 Fairmont State University baccalaureate students have been honored for their academic achievements throughout the Spring 2026 semester.
Fairmont State University’s DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) chapter represented the university and state of West Virginia at the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference in Louisville, KY. DECA is a student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in business disciplines like marketing, finance, management, and hospitality. The Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference is an opportunity for DECA members to come together and engage in competitions, professional development, networking, and more.
The Feaster Center will come alive with celebration and Falcon pride on Saturday, May 9, as Fairmont State University hosts its Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies.
Fairmont State University has announced the 2026 recipients of the Presidential Scholarship, the University’s premier academic scholarship. The award recognizes outstanding academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to excellence among incoming first‑year students. This year marks a significant milestone for the program, as the scholarship was expanded to include out‑of‑state students for the first time, resulting in Fairmont State’s first‑ever out‑of‑state Presidential Scholarship recipients.
Fairmont State University continues to strengthen its academic enterprise by welcoming a new Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs. Dr. Abbey Zink, a West Virginia native, will officially join the University on April 13, 2026, bringing nearly 15 years of senior academic leadership experience and a demonstrated commitment to advancing faculty success—an essential component of institutional excellence and student achievement. Currently, Dr. Tim Oxley serves as both the Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Business and Aviation. He will be assisting with Dr. Zink’s transition into the Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs position prior to his planned retirement in June.
Fairmont State University’s premier Aviation program continues to advance, strengthened by new leadership and significant investments that position it for lasting growth, expanded enrollment, and an even greater impact on West Virginia’s aviation workforce.
West Virginia’s bedrock regional institution, Fairmont State University, has been awarded more than $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funds for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, thanks to Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Senator Jim Justice. The University received $643,000 for campus police resource upgrades and $1,650,000 for aviation equipment. The CDS process allows members of Congress to allocate federal funds to specific projects in their states or districts. CDS supports local initiatives and community development, ensuring projects that benefit West Virginia are properly funded.
Dr. Rebecca Giorcelli, Chair of Marketing and Management Studies and faculty member teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in the College of Business and Aviation (CoBA) at Fairmont State University, has been named a top five finalist for the 2025 West Virginia Professor of the Year Award. The West Virginia Professor of the Year Award, presented by the Faculty Merit Foundation, recognizes innovation, creativity, and excellence among faculty at West Virginia’s public and private higher education institutions.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Fairmont State University has been named one of the Top 3 MBA Programs in West Virginia by MBAschools.org, a national higher education resource that publishes state-by-state business school comparisons.
The Fairmont State University ENCOVA Career Development Center will host its annual All-Majors Spring Career Fair on Wednesday, March 25, from 10 AM to 3 PM in Falcon Center Gyms 1 and 2. This event not only provides students the opportunity to gain networking skills and share their experience, but also gives employers a chance to visit campus and recruit talented, hardworking, career-ready Fairmont State students.
Fairmont State University will unite alumni, donors, friends, faculty, staff, and students for its annual Day of Giving campaign on Thursday, February 26, 2026, for a 24-hour celebration of Falcon pride and collective philanthropy. This year’s ambitious fundraising goal is $800,000, which will provide critical support for students and programs across campus.
Fairmont State University is further strengthening its leadership team enhance operational effectiveness, support long‑term sustainability, and advance the University’s mission.
Fairmont State University will travel to Charleston on Friday, January 23, for its annual Day at the Capitol, highlighting the University’s transformational impact on West Virginia’s economy, workforce, and communities. During the event, students, faculty, and staff will engage with lawmakers, present top-notch programs, and demonstrate how Fairmont State’s Vision goes beyond campus to help make all of West Virginia a Great Place to Learn, to Work, and to Call Home.
Over 1,100 Fairmont State University baccalaureate students have been honored for their academic achievements throughout the Fall 2025 semester.
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