Fairmont State University Honors Distinguished Alumni During Homecoming Celebrations

As part of the 2024 Homecoming celebrations, Fairmont State University will honor a new group of distinguished alumni award recipients at the Alumni Awards Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 4. The luncheon will be held at noon in Gym 1 of the Falcon Center. 

"These alumni illustrate the very best of Fairmont State. We are grateful for our strong and distinguished alumni network, and we look forward to welcoming the 2024 award winners back to campus to celebrate their remarkable achievements,” said Director of Alumni Relations Amy Snively. 

This year’s recognized alumni are: 

Outstanding Young Alumni Award Recipients 
Shannon Yost, James Kane 
Award Criteria: Alumni of Fairmont State under the age of 40 during the year of nomination who are successful in their chosen careers, display service to the community, are recognized for professional accomplishments, maintain communication with Fairmont State, and exhibit ethical behavior and exemplary character. 

Outstanding Alumni Award Recipients 
Ronda Colanero, Gina Fantasia, Brent Skidmore, Kevin Wilfong 
Award Criteria: Alumni who display loyalty to Fairmont State, are successful in their chosen careers, serve the community, and exhibit ethical behavior and exemplary character. 

Alumni of Achievement Award Recipients 
Deborah Bennett, Cindy Salyers Dickey, John T. Belotte, David Nuzum 
Award Criteria: Alumni of Fairmont State who have achieved a high level of success in their chosen professions and are recognized for professional accomplishments, service to the community, ethical behavior, and exemplary character. 

Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient 
Delbert "Butch" Phillips 
Award Criteria: Alumni of Fairmont State who display both loyalty to Fairmont State and have achieved a high level of success in their chosen profession. They are also recognized for their professional accomplishments, service to the community, ethical behavior, and exemplary character. 

“I’m thrilled to welcome back this remarkable group of alumni award winners,” said President Mike Davis. “They truly represent the best of Fairmont State, carrying forward our proud legacy. Their hard work and dedication have earned them this prestigious recognition, and we are honored to celebrate their achievements.” 

This year’s alumni awardees will participate in the Homecoming parade through historic downtown Fairmont on Oct. 3. The parade will begin at the intersection of Fourth Street and Virginia Avenue, proceed along Fairmont Avenue, continue onto Adams Street, and conclude at Veterans Square in downtown Fairmont. Leading the parade will be marshals Bill and Lois Muto Laughlin. 

"Bill and Lois Muto Laughlin have been pillars of the Fairmont State community for decades," said Davis. "Their dedication to education, commitment to our students, and unwavering support of our programs have left an incredible legacy. We are honored to have them lead this year's Homecoming parade and celebrate their remarkable contributions." 

Lois graduated from Fairmont State in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in education and earned a master’s degree in education from West Virginia University in 1967. She taught mathematics at Fairmont Junior High School and Fairmont Senior High School from 1962 to 1969 and served as a guidance counselor at Monongah High School and Miller Junior High School. Lois began her career at Fairmont State in 1970, serving as dean of women and associate dean of students. In 1978, she became assistant to the president, retiring in December 2001. Her community involvement includes serving as president of the Board of Directors for the Fairmont State Foundation and the Marion County United Way, as well as being active in numerous other organizations, including the Rotary Club of Fairmont, where she was the first female member, the Fairmont Senior High School Foundation Board of Directors, and the St. Therese Society for Catholic Women. Lois was recognized as a Fairmont State Outstanding Alumni Award recipient and was inducted into the Fairmont State Student Affairs Hall of Fame in 2005. 

Bill is a retired associate professor of economics at Fairmont State. He graduated from the College of William and Mary with a bachelor’s degree in economics and earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Cincinnati. Bill dedicated his career to teaching economics at Fairmont State from 1966 until his retirement in 2003. He has also been an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fairmont since moving to the area. Both Bill and Lois are strong advocates for higher education and have generously supported Fairmont State academic programs and athletic scholarships through matching donations. 

"We're thrilled to honor Bill and Lois as this year's Homecoming Parade Marshals. Their unwavering support of Fairmont State and the community is truly remarkable, so we are excited to celebrate them this Homecoming,” said Snively. 

The 2024 alumni award recipients will be recognized during halftime at the Homecoming football game against West Virginia State University on Saturday, Oct. 5. The game kicks off at 2 p.m. at Duvall-Rosier Field, with the Alumni Tailgate starting at 11 a.m. in the White Lot. Tickets for the game can be purchased in advance online for $13 or at the gate for $15. Fairmont State faculty, staff, students, and K-12 students receive free admission to football games.