Supporting Fairmont State was a natural choice. The couple grew up in West Virginia near Fairmont, and Kim is a proud Fairmont State graduate. “Go Falcons!” she added enthusiastically. The university played a pivotal role in shaping her confidence and sense of possibility. Once a shy student from a small West Virginia town, she recalls how being accepted into Fairmont State’s nursing program changed her life trajectory. “I learned that I could dream big and actually achieve it,” she said.

That belief carried her far beyond the classroom. Kim went on to serve as a neonatal ICU nurse, flying in helicopters across North and South Carolina to transport critically ill premature infants for specialized care. The experience cemented her passion for her profession and underscored the profound impact skilled, compassionate nurses can have on families during their most vulnerable moments.

Although their careers and lives took them out of state, the Toothmans remain deeply connected to West Virginia. “We will always be West Virginians first and foremost,” the Toothmans shared. That enduring pride informs their hope that scholarship recipients will not only find joy and fulfillment in nursing but will also consider building their careers in West Virginia, strengthening healthcare across the state.

“We are deeply grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Toothman for their extraordinary generosity,” said Fairmont State University President Mike Davis, “Their gift will help prepare skilled, compassionate nurses who are essential to the health and well-being of our communities. The impact of this scholarship will extend far beyond our campus, strengthening healthcare in West Virginia and wherever our graduates serve.”

The Toothmans’ commitment to nursing is also deeply personal. Their daughter Taylor was born prematurely at just 27 weeks, weighing only 2 pounds, half an ounce, into the very NICU where Kim worked. Thanks to exceptional care, she not only survived but thrived. Today, Taylor is a dentist and orthodontist. “Yes, a dentist named Toothman!” her parents joked. The experience reinforced the life-changing power of compassionate, well-trained healthcare professionals.

To nursing students and recipients of the Kimberly Lannan Toothman Endowed Nursing Scholarship, Kim offers heartfelt encouragement: “Though grades are very important, they are not the sole determinant of the type of nurse you will be. Compassion and enthusiasm are not graded. Skills will improve with practice as long as there is a will to be an excellent nurse. Don’t give up – always move forward.”

​Through this endowed scholarship, the Toothmans are investing in more than education. They are creating a lasting legacy of care, resilience, and opportunity – one that will empower Fairmont State nursing students to dream big, serve boldly, and make a difference for generations to come.

That belief was tested almost immediately. In his first English course, Dr. Anderson confidently answered a question – and was wrong. Professor Haddon Rhodes walked to the window, mimed tossing something outside, and told him, “Mr. Anderson, there was your A, right out the window.” It was 8 o’clock in the morning on his first day of class, and the lesson was unforgettable. Fairmont State, though smaller in size, demanded excellence.

“That woke me up,” Dr. Anderson recalls. “You think a smaller school will be easier. It isn’t. It’s rigorous, and it prepares you.”

That preparation proved impactful. As a chemistry major, Dr. Anderson found mentors at Fairmont State who shaped his future, including Professor Elizabeth Swiger. His time on campus did more than teach him chemistry; it taught him discipline, confidence, and the expectation that learning is earned through effort.

After graduating, Dr. Anderson moved on to the University of Pittsburgh, initially planning to earn a master’s degree and quickly enter the workforce. Another wake-up call followed, and another pivotal choice. Learning that a master’s degree would take longer than he expected, he opted instead to pursue a PhD. It was a decision rooted in the foundation Fairmont State had already helped him to form – persistence, ambition, and respect for education.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Anderson worked for multiple companies as a polymer chemist, product developer, and leader in friction materials. His work took him around the world, including years living and working in France. Later, he added an executive master’s degree in business, further reinforcing his belief that education is a lifelong endeavor.

“Education is everything,” he says. “Not just university education, but learning on the job, learning through experience, learning throughout your life.”

It is this philosophy that inspired Dr. Anderson to provide a gift of $25,000 to create a scholarship at Fairmont State University. The John Norton Anderson (Class of 1959) Endowed Scholarship will be available to students who have graduated from North Marion High School and intend to pursue a degree program within the College of Science & Technology.

The reason for the scholarship is deeply personal. Fairmont State was available when he needed it most, and that access opened the door to everything that followed.

“Dr. Anderson’s generosity reflects a deep understanding of what access to education can make possible,” said Marissa Mauro, Interim President of the Fairmont State Foundation. “His investment is not only financial – it is a vote of confidence in our students and in the life-changing power of a Fairmont State education. Because of donors like Dr. Anderson, our students are able to focus on learning, discovery, and growth, knowing that someone believes in their potential.”

Dr. Anderson’s scholarship emphasizes the pursuit of science and technology pathways, not because every student must follow his path, but because he believes strongly in the value of scientific education as a gateway to opportunity. More importantly, he hopes recipients understand that Fairmont State is a beginning, not an end.

“Fairmont State University is a regional driver when it comes to providing accessible education, and Dr. Anderson’s story is a powerful reminder of what access to education can achieve,” said Fairmont State University President Mike Davis. “This is more than a scholarship – it’s an opportunity for students to transform their lives. His generosity ensures that students who share his determination will have the same chance to begin a journey of learning and discovery. We are deeply grateful for his commitment to opening doors for future generations."

His commitment to giving back is grounded in gratitude and perspective. As a student, his total cost of attending Fairmont State was about $500, an investment that yielded a lifetime of return. He remembers hitchhiking to class, relying on neighbors for rides, and being supported in countless small ways by people who believed his education mattered.

“That support made all the difference,” he says. “If you see a kid standing on the corner with a book, pick them up. Support students however you can.”

Now retired, Dr. Anderson sees his philanthropy as both a responsibility and an opportunity – to honor the mentors, neighbors, and institutions that shaped his life, including Norton Pearson, the neighbor whose encouragement led him to Fairmont State and whose name he proudly carries as his own.

For fellow donors and those considering a gift, Dr. Anderson’s message is simple and sincere: education changes lives. Sometimes it begins with a scholarship. Sometimes with a professor who demands more. Always with someone willing to give.

​For Dr. Anderson, Fairmont State University was the place that made everything else possible. Through its access, rigor, and belief in a determined young student, the University opened doors that led to a lifetime of achievement and discovery. Today, his generosity ensures that same opportunity will be available to students who, like he once did, simply need a place to begin.

Day of Giving highlights the power of coming together around a shared mission. Special events and activities will take place leading up to and throughout the day to encourage engagement from the campus community and the greater Fairmont region, building excitement and showcasing the many ways donors can make a difference.

“Day of Giving is a powerful reminder of the generosity that defines the Falcon community. Thanks to our donors – especially those who sponsor matches and challenges – every gift has an even greater impact on our students and the future of Fairmont State,” said University President Mike Davis. “With their support, we can ensure that scholarships, academic programs, athletics, and student success initiatives continue to thrive. Together, we can make this Day of Giving our most successful yet.”

A hallmark of Fairmont State’s Day of Giving is the generosity of donors who sponsor matching gifts and challenge opportunities, amplifying the impact of individual contributions. Each year, loyal supporters step forward to match gifts made to specific colleges, programs, teams, and initiatives – doubling or even tripling the value of a donor’s gift and accelerating progress toward the overall goal.

The University will once again host a 24-hour livestream during Day of Giving, featuring conversations with campus leaders, highlights of programs and students, and live updates on progress toward the $800,000 goal. Additional on-campus and virtual events will be announced as the day approaches.

Fairmont State University Day of Giving offers something for everyone to support – whether it’s scholarships, athletics, academic departments, student organizations, the Academy for the Arts, or the Falcon Marching Band. Every gift helps advance Fairmont State’s mission and expands opportunities for student success.

Gifts can be made on February 26 by visiting https://falconsgive.org/give, by calling the Fairmont State Foundation at 304-534-8786, or by visiting the Foundation office at 1300 Locust Avenue.

Riley Neal did not come to Fairmont State University to blend into the background. From the moment she arrived, she began building a collegiate experience defined by academic rigor, leadership, and service – made possible through scholarship support that freed her to fully engage in campus life.
​
A triple major in National Security and Intelligence, Criminal Justice, and Political Science, Riley exemplifies the kind of interdisciplinary, high-impact student Fairmont State is positioned to cultivate. Her academic path is demanding but intentional. She chose Fairmont State specifically for its National Security and Intelligence program, which is unique to Fairmont State and emphasizes applied learning taught by faculty with real-world experience.

Riley points to professors such as Dr. Todd Clark, a former Defense Intelligence Agency professional, whose career in federal intelligence provides students with firsthand insight into national security work beyond textbooks and theory. In small classes, Riley and her peers are not anonymous; they are mentored and challenged as individuals. These close relationships have proven invaluable as she prepares for graduation and her next step toward law school.

One of the defining experiences of Riley’s time at Fairmont State has been her involvement in Model United Nations, an organization that brings global policy and diplomacy into sharp focus. Each year, the team travels to New York City to compete at the National Model United Nations Conference, representing a designated country and engaging with students from around the world.

In these competitions, Riley has represented nations such as Bahrain and Guatemala, spending months researching political systems, foreign policy, and international priorities. Her work has included position papers and committee assignments focused on international crime and cooperation, allowing her to merge her interests in criminal justice and global security. At the conference, students engage in rigorous debate, public speaking, and coalition building alongside peers from across the globe.

The experience is transformative. Model UN builds confidence, sharpens communication skills, and exposes students to perspectives far beyond their own classrooms. It is also a clear example of how donor-supported programs extend the boundaries of Fairmont State’s campus, preparing students for leadership in an interconnected world.

Riley’s leadership extends well beyond Model UN. She has been deeply involved in Student Government, serving on the executive board and acting as a student representative to the Fairmont State Board of Governors. In this role, she worked directly with university leadership, faculty, and staff, gaining experience in governance, policy, and advocacy that few undergraduates encounter.

She is also an active member of the National Security and Intelligence Student Association (NSISA), which brings career-focused opportunities directly to campus. Through this organization, Riley has helped host representatives from the CIA, FBI, and other federal agencies, as well as elected officials and policy leaders. These events provide students with access to professional pathways that might otherwise feel distant or inaccessible.

Riley is candid about the role scholarships have played in her success. With her tuition covered, she can focus on academics, leadership, and service rather than financial stress. That support has also allowed her to work on campus as an admissions ambassador, guiding prospective students and their families through the same college decisions she once faced.

For donors, Riley’s story illustrates the direct and lasting impact of philanthropic support. Scholarships do more than reduce tuition costs. They create leaders. They open doors to global experiences. They empower students to serve their communities and prepare for careers that shape public life.

Riley Neal is not just a student success story – she is a return on investment that continues to grow.

When it came time to choose a university, Gavin looked closely at several institutions in West Virginia. Ultimately, Fairmont State stood out. Its education program offered a clear, well-structured pathway that felt realistic and attainable, and for him, that mattered. He wanted a program that balanced rigor with support, one that would prepare him not only to graduate but to succeed in the classroom.

Affordability was also a factor, and the cost of higher education posed a significant barrier. Scholarship support made the difference between aspiration and reality. Without this financial assistance, attending Fairmont State would not have been possible. It has given him the freedom to fully engage in campus life, academics, and enrichment opportunities.

A skilled woodwind musician, Gavin arrived at Fairmont State with his alto saxophone in hand and a willingness to contribute wherever needed. Band quickly became more than an extracurricular activity. It became a community and a training ground for building leadership skills and sharing knowledge with his peers.

He speaks with pride about watching first-year students grow more confident and capable over time. Teaching did not feel like an obligation. It felt natural. Many members of the band arrive with varying levels of musical experience, which creates opportunities for peer instruction and mentorship. Gavin embraces these moments. Each rehearsal and performance becomes another chance to practice the very skills he hopes to use as a future educator.

Looking ahead, Gavin envisions himself remaining in the Fairmont area after graduation. Long-term, he hopes to complete a master’s degree and become a school counselor, continuing his work with young students.

For now, he is focused on finishing strong and making the most of every opportunity. When asked what experiences at Fairmont State he is most proud of, Gavin points to leadership, connection, and growth. Leading a section. Mentoring younger students. Building relationships with fellow education majors and faculty. These are the moments that define his college experience.

Gavin’s story is a reminder that philanthropy is not abstract. A gift does not simply fund a line item or sustain a program. It changes a student’s daily reality. It allows a future educator to step confidently into classrooms and rehearsal halls, carrying forward both skill and gratitude.

Gavin Nichols is one student, but his journey reflects the broader impact of investing in music and education programs at Fairmont State University. Through scholarship support, donors are not only helping students earn degrees. They are helping shape teachers, mentors, and leaders who will, in turn, shape countless lives across West Virginia and beyond.