Fairmont State’s Visit to State Capitol Sets Important Affairs in Motion
Fairmont State President Dr. Mike Davis and a delegation of students, faculty and
staff visited the West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston on January 29. During
the visit House representatives, senators and even Governor Jim Justice met with those
visiting from the University to discuss important initiatives Fairmont State is taking
for students and the community. To commemorate the day, January 29, 2024 was officially
recognized as Fairmont State University Day at the West Virginia Legislature by the
House and Senate.
“Our visit today has allowed our state’s lawmakers to see all that Fairmont State has to offer. Although this is my first visit to the Capitol as Fairmont State’s President, I know it is only the first of many. I am looking forward to working with West Virginia’s leaders to build upon the foundation Fairmont State has laid,” said Davis. “This visit has laid the groundwork for Fairmont State to be a part of bigger discussions when it comes to higher education in West Virginia. We are the third largest school in our state and an integral part of not only Fairmont and Marion County but West Virginia in its entirety.”
Student representatives from Fairmont State’s Student Government Association (SGA) and the National Security and Intelligence (NSI) program were integral to the day’s events. Not only were they representing Fairmont State’s student body, but they also got to meet one-on-one with Senators Mike Caputo and Mike Oliverio who represent District 13 which Fairmont is a part of. SGA and NSI representatives also got to experience the legislative process first-hand by sitting in on both House and Senate sessions.
”Fairmont State Day at the Capitol was an absolute success. My goal as the Student Government Association’s President is to make sure that the voice of the student body is heard, so I was very pleased to see that our student representatives were approached by members of the House and Senate,” said SGA President Ashton Loudon, “We were given a very warm welcome by all and had a chance to speak with members of the house and senate, some of which are Fairmont State University Alumni. I hope to see this tradition continue annually because it is very inspiring and opens many doors for our university and for our students.”
The students representing SGA at the Capitol were Ashton Louden (Craigsville, W.VA), Jaden Sharps (Madison, W.VA), Eli Dozer (Clarksburg, W.VA), Emily Trivolete (Leivasy, W.VA) Brooklyn Fazzini (Hepzibah W.VA), Riley Neal (Poca, W.VA) and Mickey Thomas (Charleston, W.VA).
The students representing the NSI program were Morgan Rigsby (Mannington, W.VA), Thaine Miller (Waynesburg, PA), Skylar Harden (Macedon, NY), Robert McMichael (Cranberry Township, PA) and Nathaniel Whetsel (Elkins, WV).
In addition to Fairmont State, West Virginia students who are part of the National Future Farmers of America Organization and West Virginia Farmers Bureau were also at the capitol and had the opportunity to learn about the post-high school opportunities available at Fairmont State for them.
