Recent accomplishments lead to bright future
I love this time a year. It’s a season full of friends, family and fellowship. While even after the holidays things still seem to be fast-paced and rushed, it is the perfect time to slow things down, reflect on the last year and look forward on the new year.
In 2018 Fairmont State University saw a variety of accomplishments from the women’s swimming team being crowned the first ever MEC women’s swimming champions after being the top Mountain East program, the first conference championship in program history to having the largest incoming freshmen class since becoming a university.
I am eagerly looking forward to all the exciting opportunities that will further define our University in 2019. These opportunities will ensure that Fairmont State is a destination for all West Virginians who seek an affordable, accessible and superb education.
To kick off 2019, we’ll really be focusing on retention. It will really be key this next semester. Increasing the graduation rates of our students is important and making sure our students are succeeding so they can stay here. Another priority next year is going to be to ensure that we not only attract students who seek that affordable and superb education but more importantly that we graduate them into careers. This in turn allows them to become part of the economic engine of the state and they can also help propel this state to new heights.
We have so much to be thankful for this year at Fairmont State University and we look forward to continuing this upward soar through 2019. All of these accomplishments have been done through the dedication of hardworking, talented faculty and staff who have given freely of their time. For that, I am eternally grateful because they have helped to put Fairmont State University on the map. These accomplishments would not be possible without that dedication.
Among some of the University’s accomplishments and things to be grateful for include:
- Fairmont State University’s Master of Architecture program has been granted initial candidacy from the National Architectural Accrediting Board. This is a huge step for the program toward becoming the first accredited professional architecture degree offered in the state.
- Veteran Services received the first ever college placement of a dog, Tobey, from Dogs2DogTags, a nonprofit, that works to place dogs with veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- During a ceremony at the North Central West Virginia Airport, Victoria Grace was recognized as the first woman to complete her Private Pilot Single Engine Land Rating through West Virginia’s only part 141 flight school which is operated by Fairmont State University.
- The Department of Music announced that beginning in the spring of 2019, students can add musical theater as a minor to all majors on campus.
- Fairmont State University welcomes Jacqueline L. Sikora as its first ever General Counsel, where she will aid the institution in any matters requiring legal guidance.
- Fairmont State University raised a record $31,525 through the annual United Way Campaign, the largest amount in Fairmont State’s 39-year campaign history.
- At Winter Commencement the University celebrated the first graduate of the Autism Individualized Mentoring and Support Services (AIMSS) Program.
