Fairmont State Welcomes First-Time Freshmen During Night at the Park Event

Even a rain delay couldn’t dampen the spirits of a group of incoming freshmen and their families as they gathered in Charleston Wednesday evening to cheer on Atlantic League baseball team, the West Virginia Power, during Fairmont State Night at the Appalachian Power Park. 

“We are so thrilled to again be doing what we do best – visiting face-to-face with our newest Falcons and their families, and making sure they have a smooth transition to college life. These types of events allow for us to truly welcome our newest students into the Falcon Family, while also providing opportunities for them to make meaningful connections before they step foot on campus in the fall,” said Fairmont State University President, Mirta M. Martin, who kicked off the night by throwing the game’s first pitch.  

Not only did the soon-to-be Falcons get to sit under the stadium lights as they witnessed the home team take the win in the final inning of the game, but they also got to network with their peers and talk with alumni about the Fairmont State experience.  

“I love seeing the same smile on the faces of these incoming students that I had whenever I first became a student at Fairmont State,” said alumna Rebecca Luketic, ’21. “The University becomes your home away from home, and by creating memories like these, Fairmont State is able to stand out from the crowd and show students that they mean more than just a number.” 

The event also created the opportunity for students to ask important questions related to the areas of financial aid, housing and admissions prior to arriving on campus in August. Incoming student, Abbey Tucker, said she was initially drawn to the University because of the campus community’s welcoming and helpful nature, and the evening at the park further strengthened and solidified her decision to continue her education at Fairmont State.  

“I’m really looking forward to the homey environment of being on campus,” she said.  

To top it all off, the University awarded each student in attendance an annually renewable $500 SOAR Award Scholarship to help offset their educational costs. The SOAR scholarships are geared toward first-time freshmen and were established in 2018 as an institutional commitment to student achievement and success. 

“More and more students and their families are choosing to join the Falcon Family because they know we put them first,” Martin added. “We offer a transformative education to all who seek it, and with events like the SOAR  Awards, we’re doing our best to make sure that life-changing education is affordable.” 

Fairmont State University Night at the ParkAppalachian Power ParkMirta Martin