Fairmont Federal Credit Union’s generosity was celebrated Tuesday, September 15, during a dedication ceremony for the Finance Lab. Representatives from the credit union joined faculty and students from the College of Business and Aviation for the event.

Foundation President Marissa Mauro said the gift is a meaningful example of how regional partners can directly shape the student experience at Fairmont State.

“This gift is a powerful representation of what's possible when our community partners invest directly in student success,” Mauro said. “Gifts like this don't just enhance a classroom. They open doors for students who might not otherwise have access to the tools and experiences that prepare them for the workforce.”

Cindy Dickey, CEO of Fairmont Federal Credit Union and a 1993 Fairmont State alumna, said the gift reflects the credit union's mission to invest in the communities it serves.

“We want to foster an individually rewarding environment and provide unwavering support so every community we serve can thrive,” Dickey said. “Supporting Fairmont State is a meaningful way to invest in students, talent and the future of our region.”

Marion County is one of five counties served by the credit union, making the university a natural partner for community investment, Dickey said. She hopes the gift gives students practical, hands-on experience that builds their confidence and sharpens their financial analysis and decision-making skills before they enter the workforce.

“It should allow them to prepare for life beyond the classroom,” she said, adding that the fund can also ease the financial burden of specialized coursework tools like financial calculators that can cost more than $100 each. “It's that practical side of things that I think is important, especially for students who are away from home and don't always have the resources.”

“Fairmont Federal Credit Union is an essential part of the economic fabric of this region, making their investment especially meaningful,” said Fairmont State University President Mike Davis. “When employers support the educational experience in tangible ways, students benefit through enhanced learning opportunities, exposure to industry expertise, and stronger connections to potential career pathways. This gift strengthens our ability to provide hands-on, workforce-focused education while demonstrating what is possible when institutions and community partners work together to invest in the future of our students and our region.”

Dickey, who has worked at Fairmont Federal Credit Union for 32 years, began her career as a teller before being appointed the credit union's first compliance officer and rising to CEO. She said her time at Fairmont State – including a shift from an accounting concentration to business administration – shaped her career in ways she didn't expect.

“You learn things about yourself in college that you just never knew were possible,” she said. “That’s why this gift is so important to us. We want students to have the chance to discover those possibilities.”

“This incoming class brings a wealth of talent, insight and community connection to the board,” said Taylor Downs, chair of the Fairmont State Foundation board of directors. “Each of these individuals has demonstrated a strong commitment to service and leadership throughout their careers, whether in business, healthcare, finance, or community development. Their expertise, combined with their passion for creating opportunities in our region, will be invaluable as we continue advancing the Foundation's mission and supporting Fairmont State University students for generations to come. This year's results demonstrate what is possible when people invest in the future of Fairmont State. Our donors continue to invest in students, faculty and programs because they understand the difference this University makes in our region. On behalf of the board, I'm grateful for that generosity, for the leadership of Marissa Mauro, and for the Foundation team whose dedication helps turn philanthropic support into meaningful opportunities for our students.”

​Thanks to donor support, three Fairmont State University students traded the classroom for London this spring – briefing senior executives at BAE Systems on UK critical maritime infrastructure alongside NATO military officers and international graduate students.

From March 6-15, three students, one industry analyst and three faculty members traveled to the United Kingdom to collaborate with the University of Plymouth, culminating in a formal presentation to BAE Systems.

"The students used their skills gained from the Master of Science in Cyber Security & Risk Management program to perform intricate critical infrastructure analysis of key UK maritime assets," said Dr. Greg Cutlip, who led the trip. "It reinforced the relevance of their academic experience at Fairmont State, their ability to perform at a high academic and professional level, and to represent the United States with utmost professionalism and decorum."

BAE Systems took notice. Dr. Damian Terrill, account manager for BAE Systems Digital Intelligence's Space business unit, called the students' presentation "first-rate" and said it "demonstrated the ability to understand complex problems, synthesize large amounts of data, and undertake detailed critical analysis." BAE Systems has since requested a formal report from the FSU-Plymouth team for consideration by the UK government.

"Azimuth Inc, a local defense contractor, served as a corporate sponsor for this trip, allowing students and faculty to represent the University on an international stage, working with NATO partners in analysis of those topics critical to international security," Cutlip said. “We’re thankful for this investment in our students. None of this happens without donor support.”

"Experiential learning that allows students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to complex, real-world challenges is a critical part of our graduate students’ professional development," according to Dr. Rebecca Giorcelli, dean of the College of Business and Aviation. "Opportunities to collaborate internationally with professionals and peers expose them to new perspectives, strengthen their confidence, and demonstrate how their education can make an impact on a global stage. We are incredibly proud of how these graduate students represented Fairmont State University in the U.K. and grateful for the donor support that makes transformative opportunities like this possible."

Private support made this experience possible – giving students a seat at the table with NATO officers, international academics and a global defense contractor, and the chance to prove they belonged there.

“We are incredibly grateful to Beth and Mark for their generosity and their heart for helping others succeed,” said Marissa Mauro, president of the Fairmont State Foundation. “Their commitment to giving back through scholarships that provide immediate support, scholarships that grow over time, and a planned gift that will serve students for years to come. This ensures that first-generation students have access to opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives. This is the kind of generosity that defines the Fairmont State experience.”

“Beth and Mark’s generosity exemplifies what it means to meaningfully invest in both people and place,” said Fairmont State University President Mike Davis. “As a first-generation college graduate myself, I understand the uncertainty, financial pressure, and self-doubt that many first-generation students experience as they pursue a degree. These scholarships go beyond easing financial burdens – they build confidence and send a powerful message to our students that their community believes in them and in the transformative impact of a Fairmont State education.”

The Jarrett-Reasers believe that Fairmont State is a growing institution that offers diverse educational opportunities in North-Central West Virginia. By establishing these scholarships, they want to help students attend college who might not otherwise have the opportunity. They hope that scholarship support will allow students to focus on their studies and the college experience and lessen their concerns about how to pay for their education. They also hope that students who receive support will one day want to do the same for other deserving students by giving back to the University.

Mark noted that higher education is one of many career paths available to today’s youth. He and Beth both had the opportunity to earn college degrees, which they used throughout their careers and credit with opening many doors in their lives. They believe the knowledge and experiences gained during time at Fairmont State can have a lasting impact on students and ultimately shape their futures. Through these scholarships, they want to provide meaningful support in a way that helps reduce financial barriers and contributes to students’ long-term success.

When asked why they chose to support first-generation undergraduate students, Mark stated that “many first generation students have overcome life obstacles to be in position to even consider college. Since Beth was a first-gen student, we want to help remove some of the financial obstacles and give these scholarship recipients a better chance of realizing their career and life dreams. We feel very blessed to be able to give back in a way that creates a lasting legacy at Fairmont State. By planning ahead, we can help ensure these scholarships continue supporting students for generations to come.”

​Amy Freeland had a plan. Growing up in Preston County in a large family with twelve siblings, she had watched education pass her family by. None of her older siblings had gone directly to college after high school. Her family doubted whether there was a way for her to go.

Amy’s answer was simple and resolute: “I’m going to get my whole college paid for.” She did.

Amy’s path to Fairmont State began in a high school health foundations class her sophomore year. She liked it. She stayed with it through senior year, completing a medical assistant program. She knew she wanted to go further and nursing felt right, but the route there was anything but certain.

Athletics had always been part of her life. She had run track since her freshman year of high school and dreamed of competing in college. A scholarship offer from Potomac State nearly pulled her in a different direction. Then she chose Fairmont State instead, thinking she might simply start a club track team.

Two weeks after move-in, Fairmont State announced the launch of a new indoor track program.

“I was so happy,” she says. “I knew I needed to join.” 

She did, and she earned an athletic scholarship that became one piece of a larger funding puzzle she had promised her family she would solve.

Amy had heard about the Datha & Gene Smith Fellows Program and the Bridge program – a summer
immersion for Fellows – through a high school friend. She was nervous about attending college, but the fellowship came with financial support that she needed, so she applied.

“It actually wasn’t that bad,” she says about the Bridge experience. “It made me feel more comfortable being in college. I didn’t know anything about attending college and the Bridge program gave me that.”

Among the week’s highlights: a whitewater rafting trip to the New River Gorge. Amy does not love water. She held on for dear life and came out of the experience with an understanding that she can do anything with commitment and perseverance. 

By the time the broader freshman class arrived, Amy already had a community. She had found her people.

In her first semester, Amy made the Dean’s List while running track, working for the athletic department, and keeping the kind of schedule that would exhaust most people. During the spring 2026 term, Mondays were her light day. Tuesdays and Thursdays she had three classes, a lift session in the strength and conditioning gym, and a shift at work. She is pursuing a pathway toward nursing, with her sights set on pediatrics.
 
The Datha & Gene Smith Fellows program coordinator, Lauren Pearson, does not hide her admiration. “She joined track, she works for the athletic department, her grades have been great – she has been a big success.”

Amy is the first person in her immediate family to attend college directly out of high school. That fact sits with her, not as a burden, but as a point of pride she holds on behalf of everyone who came before her.

When asked what she would say to the donors whose generosity helped make her first year possible – the scholarship dollars, the fellowship support, the funded resources she may never fully trace back to a specific name – Amy does not hesitate.

“I would thank them for giving me the opportunity to go to college. And for making my dream come true.”

She is a rising sophomore. She has years ahead of her. And she is, by every measure, exactly where she planned to be.