For the Arcure family, the decision to create the scholarship was a natural choice. “We were born knowing Fairmont State,” Lisa said. “Growing up, it was a part of who we were. And the most important thing we learned from our dad was how much he valued education. Even in the last stages of dementia, he was talking to a hospital caregiver about the importance of finishing nursing school and earning her degree. It was always about education.”
Mike Arcure’s own life was marked by educational and community service. After attending Salem College to play baseball, he transferred to Fairmont State to be closer to home and help care for his father. He earned his degree in education from Fairmont State in the late 1950s, then went on to complete a master’s degree in education from West Virginia University. He taught history and political science, coached high school basketball, and eventually returned to Fairmont State in 1968 to teach and launch the university’s first intramural sports program. Though he volunteered as an assistant basketball coach without pay for his first few years, his impact was far from marginal. His relentless recruiting efforts and his connection to students helped usher in one of the most successful eras in Falcon basketball history. “He loved basketball, sure, but it was never just about the game,” said Doug. “He was always making sure his players went to class, following up with professors, knocking on doors on Monday mornings. He promised their parents they’d leave Fairmont with a degree, and most of them did because he pushed them. Some didn’t have a father figure, and he stepped in to fill that role.” Over the years, Mike Arcure became a well-known face not just at Fairmont State, but throughout Marion County and beyond. Whether it was selling insurance, leading scholarship banquets, or attending games into his 80s, he never stopped connecting with people. A Fairmont State hat or shirt was often his go-to icebreaker – one that reflected his unwavering pride. “He was the kind of person who never met a stranger,” Lisa said. “He had a photographic memory and could recall details about games from decades ago. People would call him just to settle debates about old plays or players. And he always, always had a Fairmont State shirt on.” That sense of rootedness in family, in community, and in education has inspired the family to focus the scholarship on Marion County students. Their hope is to reach students who may not have all the resources but have the drive to pursue a college degree. “Marion County is home. It’s where our dad built his life, where we grew up, and where so many kids deserve a chance to succeed,” Doug said. “Mike Arcure’s name is synonymous with service, mentorship, and loyalty to Fairmont State,” said Marissa Mauro, Director of Development for the Fairmont State Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful to the Arcure family for honoring his legacy through this scholarship. Their generosity will have an immediate impact on students from Marion County and ensure Mr. Arcure’s legacy of education continues to shape lives.” For the family, the scholarship is a tribute to a man who never stopped believing in the power of education – whether he was coaching a player, encouraging a nurse-in-training, or guiding his own children toward lives of purpose. “There was never a question of whether we’d go to college,” Lisa said. “It was just a matter of where and what we’d study. Our dad believed your job, while you were in school, was to be a student. He and our mom supported that completely.” That belief is now passed down to students at Fairmont State University. One legacy rooted in education, built on community, and inspired by a father and husband whose reach extended far beyond the classroom or the court. For more information on how to establish an impact fund supporting students or programs at Fairmont State University, please contact the Fairmont State Foundation at 304-534-8786 or [email protected]. Comments are closed.
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