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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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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