Knight Reignites Fairmont State Alumni Program
As 2018 began, so did a new day for the Fairmont State Foundation and the Fairmont State Alumni Association with the hiring of Ashley Knight, 2015 Fairmont State graduate, in the role of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Coordinator.
“The position is within the Fairmont State Foundation (as opposed to a University employee), which is a new move for all involved,” said Knight. “We believe it is a positive merge and will be beneficial for our over 4,000 students and 34,000 alumni.”
Fairmont State Foundation President, RJ Gimbl has grown a dynamic fundraising team that is poised to meet the fundraising goals set by new president, Mirta Martin. “Having alumni relations and annual giving being focused on together will enable Fairmont State to grow engagement and giving synergistically. I am excited for Ashley to be a part of our team and her enthusiasm and passion for Fairmont State will make an immediate impact.”
Knight has been tasked with increasing engagement and with nearly 16,000 alumni living within 1.5 hours of Fairmont State University, it provides lots of opportunity. Currently, it is estimated that only two percent of alumni are actively engaged but Knight is already changing that statistic.
“With basketball season upon us, I thought our home games were the perfect opportunity to begin to engage our alumni and students and reignite the fire and passion that unfortunately has dimmed in recent years.”
The events have already begun and the Falcon spirit is brightening. Held at the Erickson Alumni Center prior to designated basketball games, the evening includes delicious food and drinks, a Falcon photo booth, and Fairmont State memorabilia which naturally leads to an evening of great stories from alumni about their time on “the Hill.” In addition to a great evening with new and old friends, attendees receive complimentary tickets and shuttles to that evening’s basketball.
“My philosophy is that by increasing engagement, this, in turn will create a culture of philanthropy, which will in turn enhance each department at our wonderful institution.”
Upcoming events include:
• January 17—Student night
• January 20—1980-1999 alumni
• February 17—2000-2017 alumni
On February 21, Knight is hitting the road for the Fairmont State vs. Wesleyan game when Director of Institutional Assessment and Effectiveness, Robyn Shannon, will host an alumni mixer for Buckhannon area alumni. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served and complimentary game tickets will be available.
Anyone wishing to attend one of the upcoming events can register via the Fairmont State Alumni Facebook page. The first twenty registrants for each event will receive an alumni t-shirt. Knight is also active on twitter, Instagram and Pinterest using the handle @FSUFALCONALUMNI.
“I look forward to meeting the many wonderful Fairmont State alumni. I am always
open to suggestions and would enjoy hearing how our Falcon community thinks our programming
would be most successful. Thoughtful collaboration will indeed take our institution
to a new level of success and I, for one, cannot wait to experience the new heights
to which we can soar together!
Ashley Knight is a 2015 graduate of Fairmont State University and was a softball student-athlete. Since graduation, she has been working toward a master’s degree from West Virginia University as well as working in development for the Mountaineer Athletic Club. She began working for the Fairmont State Foundation in November.
Ashley KnightAlumni AssociationRJ GimblFairmont State Foundation
