Fairmont State students and employees honor historic ties to Woodlawn Cemetery through volunteerism

As a public institution, Fairmont State University is committed to serving the city of Fairmont and communities throughout North Central West Virginia. One way the university fulfills this mission is by preserving Fairmont’s culture and history through volunteerism. Woodlawn Cemetery, a historic landmark in Fairmont for nearly 150 years, relies mostly on volunteers to maintain its legacy. Professor of Healthcare Management, Dr. Raymond Alvarez, serves as Woodlawn’s President and frequently collaborates with university faculty, staff, and students on projects that enhance and support the cemetery. 

"A group of dedicated volunteers reorganized the nonprofit cemetery board in 2016 to maintain this 42-acre site," Alvarez said. "We’ve used Fairmont State students in various roles since 2019 to assist in identifying historic graves and telling the stories of the 12,000 burials here. Many projects have brought history to life." 

Jon Dodds, Fairmont State’s chief technologist and a Woodlawn board member, has created video stories showcasing the cemetery’s beauty and historical significance. "Jon volunteered to help promote Woodlawn as a cultural tourism site," Alvarez said. "Each video attracts over 4,000 views as they are released weekly." 

Fairmont State students, under Alvarez's guidance, helped identify GPS locations for more than 100 historic burials. Landscape architecture students designed a future memorial garden, now a fundraising effort, while a team of surveying students completed a capstone project in May that mapped the cemetery’s borders, providing hands-on experience and preserving the site’s history. 

"Woodlawn is attracting people from all over the country, which was our cultural tourism goal," Alvarez said. "Visitors come to this well-maintained historical site where West Virginia history begins. Fairmont was home to leaders in statehood, industry, education, and more. History starts here." 

Since 2018, students from various programs have supported Woodlawn through marketing, storytelling, and technical assistance. "Fairmont State has always been involved in community organization and development," Alvarez said. "I hope this continues as we invite the community and schools to see how much has been accomplished by this grassroots effort." 

Established in 1876, Woodlawn Cemetery is home to many prominent citizens, including veterans and local leaders who contributed to Fairmont’s development. Its picturesque landscape features rolling hills, mature trees, and diverse monuments that reflect different periods of memorial architecture. 

Several notable figures from Fairmont State’s history are buried at Woodlawn, including Rev. William White, the first principal of Fairmont Normal School, and Francis Pierpont, a key figure in the school’s establishment. Dr. Paul Opp, founder of the International Thespian Society and Alpha Psi Omega, also rests there. 

Woodlawn Cemetery remains an active burial site, continuing to serve the community while preserving Fairmont’s past. Fairmont State University invites alumni and community members to learn more about the cemetery, which stands as a testament to the university’s commitment to education, community, and history. 

For more information, visit www.historicwoodlawncemetery.org.