|
Fairmont State University held its sixth Day of Giving event on Thursday, February 27 with a goal of raising $700,000 for programs, teams, and scholarships throughout campus. During this 24-hour giving marathon, 1,686 generous donors participated with a total of $715,501 in funds raised.
“On behalf of the Fairmont State Foundation, I want to share our heartfelt appreciation to our donors as well as the leadership, faculty, staff, students, and other partners that held Day of Giving events, made the 24-hour livestream possible, shared our Day of Giving information, and other support that helped the Fairmont State Foundation meet this extraordinary goal in 2025,” said Dr. Anne Bolyard, President of the Fairmont State Foundation. “From the initial planning conversations to the present, the Fairmont State Foundation team has demonstrated unfailing commitment and dedication to exceeding the 2025 Day of Giving goal. Their dedication and unmatched professional expertise are deeply appreciated and embody the mission and success of our Foundation.”
This year, Fairmont State’s five colleges raised a combined total of $99,133 in support of various academic programs and initiatives. An additional $197,558 was raised for academic scholarships. The College of Education, Health & Human Performance raised the most dollars for an academic unit this year, with a total of $43,443 supporting programs like the PRAXIS Test Support Fund, Outdoor Leadership, Exercise Science, and the Autism Individualized Mentoring and Support Services (AIMSS) program. The College of Business & Aviation had the most individual donors at 133, with 95 of those donors supporting the Aviation program. 802 donors supported athletic teams and programs for a total of $247,185, with Football leading the charge at $35,089 from 101 donors, and Women’s Basketball raising $22,010 from 40 donors. An additional $14,998 was donated in support of athletic scholarships this year. Women’s Volleyball had the most donors to any athletic team this year with 143, and they earned an additional $2,250 in prizes for their program with this achievement. “What a great day we had on Day of Giving on February 27. To be able to raise over $250,000 in one day is amazing, and the fact that it came from over 800 donors, just shows us how much our community cares about our Fighting Falcons. Thank you to all who were able show their support,” said Greg Bamberger, Fairmont State Athletic Director. “I also want to thank everyone who was responsible for the entire day. I know months of planning was put into it by members of the University and the Foundation. The coordination and organization required to pull this event off was top shelf. These resources will be used to aid athletic scholarship support for our student-athletes and let us occasionally do something special for our student-athletes that reminds them of the fact Fairmont State is a Great Place.” 80 prizes and matches were sponsored by generous individual and corporate donors this year.
Campus community members were encouraged to stop by the Falcon Center throughout the day to make a gift, try their luck at the punch-a-bunch board for prizes, sign a thank you note, and watch livestream interviews with donors and representatives from featured programs. “This year’s Day of Giving once again demonstrated the incredible impact we can achieve together,” said Fairmont State University President Mike Davis. “Surpassing our $700,000 goal means more scholarships, enhanced student experiences, and stronger academic and athletic programs. We extend our deepest gratitude to every donor—your generosity helps make Fairmont State a truly Great Place to Learn, Work, and Call Home.” Fairmont State University and the Fairmont State Foundation wish to thank all our donors, ambassadors, and the campus community for promoting and participating in the 2025 Fairmont State University Day of Giving. For a full gallery of photos from Day of Giving, visit: https://photos.fairmontstate.edu/Events/022725-Day-of-Giving On Thursday, February 27, Fairmont State University will host its sixth Day of Giving event with a fundraising goal of $700,000. This 24-hour campaign aims to inspire Falcons to come together, show pride in their alma mater, and provide essential funding to support current and future students. Over 50 programs across campus, including academic units, athletic teams, student organizations, and student support initiatives will benefit from funds raised during this event. “Our momentum continues to grow as we head into another Day of Giving. Year after year, we hear stories from our university partners about the effect this event has on their programs, and every dollar truly transforms Fairmont State. Your support each year means that students at Fairmont State are given every opportunity to thrive in their chosen areas of study, sport, and extracurricular activities,” said Dr. Anne Bolyard, Fairmont State Foundation President. “We invite everyone to continue to support Fairmont State University this year with a gift on Day of Giving.” Day of Giving shines a spotlight on fundraising at Fairmont State and creates a sense of excitement around collective philanthropy. There are special events planned leading up to and during each Day of Giving to encourage participation from all segments of the University and the greater Fairmont community – from alumni and friends to students and faculty. "Day of Giving highlights the profound impact we can achieve together," said Fairmont State University President Mike Davis. "Thanks to the generosity of donors, this annual event expands support for scholarships, student organizations, athletics, academic programs, and student success. Every gift makes a difference, no matter how small. We are especially thankful to those who amplify our fundraising efforts through matching gifts and challenges. Surpassing our $700,000 goal will create more opportunities and transformative experiences for our students, helping us make Fairmont State a truly Great Place to Learn, Work, and Call Home."
All matches and challenges for the day can be found by visiting https://falconsgive.fsufoundation.org/matches. The University will again be hosting a 24-hour livestream event in tandem with Day of Giving to discuss the fundraising event, highlight giving areas across campus, and provide updates on progress toward this year’s Day of Giving goal of $700,000. During the evening hours, Fairmont State Athletics will be hosting a Coaches Panel beginning at 5 p.m., followed by dinner. Registration is required, and seats are limited for this exclusive event. Fairmont State University Day of Giving is an opportunity for the Fairmont State community to support the areas that matter most to them. Whether it is a scholarship fund, athletic team, student organization, academic department, the Academy for the Arts, or the Falcon Marching Band there are numerous opportunities to make an impact with your support. You can make your gift by visiting https://falconsgive.fsufoundation.org, by calling 304-534-8786, or by visiting the Fairmont State Foundation at 1300 Locust Avenue.
New to this year’s event is the Falcon Day of Giving Livestream! Fairmont State will begin the livestream at midnight on Thursday, February 29 as President Davis goes live to kick off the Day of Giving. Throughout the day there will be live interviews from faculty, staff, coaches, and students, performances, and updates live from campus. You can tune into the live stream on the Falcon Day of Giving website at https://falconsgive.fsufoundation.org or on Fairmont State’s Facebook and Instagram feeds @fairmontstate.
Day of Giving shines a spotlight on giving at Fairmont State and creates a sense of excitement around collective philanthropy. There are special events planned leading up to and during each Day of Giving to encourage participation from all segments of the University and the greater Fairmont community – from alumni and friends to students and faculty. The Day of Giving dunk tank and punch board are both returning this year and are designed to engage those passing through the Falcon Center on their way to class or work throughout the day. Several members of faculty and staff will be courageously hopping in the dunk tank to raise funds for the areas and programs they are so passionate about, including Fairmont State University President Dr. Mike Davis. This year, each athletic team with at least 40 individual donors during Day of Giving gets to toss their coach in the pool, encouraging student-athletes to take part in raising funds for their programs. “Since 2019, the Falcon Day of Giving has raised over $1.2 million to support a variety of scholarships as well as programmatic support for Fairmont State University students to realize their endless potential,” says Fairmont State Foundation President Dr. Anne Bolyard. “During this 24-hour giving event, we invite the friends and alumni of Fairmont State University to continue this legacy of support to our current and future Falcons.” In the years since the first event, support and participation continues to grow. Each year, a small group of donors generously agree to match gifts to various scholarships, programs, teams, and colleges. When individual donors select a qualifying area to support on Day of Giving, these matches kick in, doubling or even tripling the impact of a single gift. Matches are a critical component of the overall goal. William Laughlin and his wife Lois Muto Laughlin, an alumna of Fairmont State, are retired faculty members and have once again pledged $12,500 in matching gifts for Fairmont State’s five academic colleges, the Colleges of Nursing, Business and Aviation, Science and Technology, Liberal Arts, and Education Health and Human Performance. The Laughlin’s are also sponsoring The Rise and Shine Challenge for Athletics. Starting at 4 a.m. there is $2,500 in matching gifts up for grabs to all athletic teams. The matching dollars will be available on a first come first serve basis. University President Dr. Mike Davis is sponsoring several matches and a donor challenge. This year, President Davis will donate $1 to the Falcon Fund for every donor that makes a gift for Falcon Day of Giving to any participating area. The Falcon Fund is for the university’s greatest needs and funds expenses such as scholarships, travel opportunities, classroom and lab equipment, and emergency aid. Additional matches and challenges include: - Student Veterans Organization Dollar for Dollar Match - Gary K. and Barbara Bennett will match gifts to the Student Veterans Organization up to $5,000. - The Lunch Rush Challenge - The area receiving gifts from the most donors from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. will earn an additional $1,000 from Fairmont State Foundation President Anne Bolyard. - Praxis Test Dollar for Dollar Match - An anonymous donor will match gifts to the Praxis Test initiative for education students, dollar for dollar up to $4,000. - Athletics Power Hour Match - At 2 p.m. a $2,500 match will be unlocked for athletics. Jennifer and Scott Kinty will be matching gifts made to any athletic team starting at 2 p.m., dollar for dollar up to $2,500. All matches and challenges for the day can be found by visiting https://falconsgive.fsufoundation.org/prizes. The Falcon Day of Giving is an opportunity for the Fairmont State community to support the areas that matter most to them. Whether it is a scholarship fund, athletic team, student organization, academic department, the Academy for the Arts, or the Falcon Marching Band there are numerous opportunities to make an impact with your support. You can make your gift by visiting https://falconsgive.fsufoundation.org, by calling 304-534-8786, or by visiting the Fairmont State Foundation located in The Erickson Alumni Center at 1300 Locust Avenue. For the fourth year in a row, Fairmont State University embarked on its annual Falcon Day of Giving on Thursday, October 27. During this 24-hour fundraising marathon, 891 alumni and friends joined together to raise more than $375,000 supporting 44 colleges and programs throughout campus. During this year’s Day of Giving, donors provided nearly $109,000 for scholarships, and $174,000 for athletic programs.
“We are so grateful for the alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community that came together to make this year’s Falcon Day of Giving a success” said Fairmont State Foundation President, Rachel Rae Dyer. “This year we’ve seen record engagement and record giving. It takes the entire Falcon Community coming together to support the important work of Fairmont State University. The generosity demonstrated on Day of Giving is a clear indication of the transformational impact Fairmont State University has had on the lives of so many. We want to ensure that everyone who participated knows how meaningful their gifts were. The results are both humbling and inspiring.” Academic units raised close to $70,000 for departments, programs, and special initiatives. An additional $77,347 in gifts were earmarked for academic scholarships this year. “The Day of Giving contributions have become a meaningful financial boost to each of the academic units. These dollars help support various needs across the campus such as scholarships, faculty development, teaching and/or learning enhancements,” according to Dr. Timothy Oxley, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Regardless of the initiatives or programs these very generous contributions support, the focus is centered on improving the students’ learning experience. We are grateful to those who see the Day of Giving as a worthwhile endeavor.” The College of Liberal Arts raised the most dollars for a college or school this year, earning $30,710 for several programs, including the Academy for the Arts and the Community Arts program. “The Academy for the Arts and Community Arts programs at Fairmont State University are so incredibly grateful for all of the very generous donors we had on Falcon Day of Giving,” Leigh Anne Bolyard, Director of Performing Arts Outreach and Development expressed. “The support from our community during our Falcon Day of Giving kickoff concert and Falcon Day of Giving was incredible. These donations will help us continue to provide the top-notch performing arts experiences that our community is accustomed to seeing at Fairmont State University.” Gifts for the Academy for the Arts program will provide scholarships for students, fund the Youth Theatre Company Spring Musicals, and support visiting artists for youth masterclasses. Donations for Community Arts will go toward the purchase of microphones for use during theatre productions and audio/visual monitor system upgrades. These gifts will also help to offset the cost of the Town and Gown Community plays and musicals and allow for visiting artists to perform free community concerts. Athletics raised $174,271 for team sports and athletic programs, and an additional $31,455 for athletic scholarships. These gifts will allow the department to increase scholarships for deserving students-athletes, permit the purchase of specialized training equipment, and help offset the cost of increased travel expenses. “I can’t say enough about the support the Athletics Department received on Day of Giving. The generosity of our Falcon Fans was evident to all,” said Greg Bamberger, Director of Athletics. “Ultimately, your gifts will help to enhance our programs in many ways. Whether you are a parent, a student-athlete (past or present), University staff or faculty, alum, or a friend of the Fighting Falcons, your generosity is greatly, greatly appreciated.” “What a day our Day of Giving was!” Dr. Dianna Phillips, Fairmont State’s Interim President, said. “Once again, this community showed its generosity and its commitment to our shared mission of making educational and professional dreams come true. I am so grateful for this community—each year on our Day of Giving we rally together to manifest a shared responsibility to sustain and enrich the life-changing experience of a Fairmont State education.” Special events leading up to Falcon Day of Giving included a mini-golf tournament hosted by the College of Business and Aviation, a kick-off concert hosted by the Community Arts program, and a happy hour event hosted by the Fairmont State Foundation and the Marion County Chamber of Commerce. During Day of Giving festivities, the Sweet Taste of Victory challenge was held again this year. 9 of the 17 coaches were rewarded with a pie in the face for having 40 or more donors support their respective teams. Additionally, Athletic Director Greg Bamberger received a pie in the face in recognition of the number of donors surpassing 300 for athletics overall. A dunk tank challenge was introduced this year, allowing willing participants to risk a plunge in exchange for dollars toward their preferred department or program. Courageous volunteers included Dr. Alyssa Schwartz on behalf of the Marching Band, Dr. Paul Reneau on behalf of Health & Human Performance, Jeff McCormick on behalf of the Police Academy, Justin Rader on behalf of Student Government and Spencer Flanagan on behalf of the Staff Council Scholarship. In celebration of meeting the goal, Dr. Dianna Phillips took the plunge herself on Friday afternoon. Fairmont State University and the Fairmont State Foundation wish to thank all of our donors, ambassadors, and volunteers for participating in the 2022 Falcon Day of Giving. Alumni and friends of Fairmont State University contributed more than $361,000 on Thursday, October 28 during the Third Annual Falcon Day of Giving.
This year, the Fairmont State Foundation set a goal to raise $325,000 in 24 hours, and 605 donors helped exceed that goal. Funds raised during the 2021 Day of Giving will provide support to 39 different programs campus wide, filling departmental needs and providing academic scholarships. Donors provided nearly $70,000 for academic and athletic scholarships, along with more than $179,000 earmarked for athletic programs. Almost $59,000 was provided for the Falcon Fund, which supports the greatest needs of the University. More than $45,000 was received for individual colleges to use in support of departmental scholarships, faculty initiatives and special projects. The College of Science & Technology earned the most individual donors (67) and greatest dollar amount ($13,875) for an academic unit. Women’s softball secured the most donors for athletics programs at 49, and women’s basketball had the highest dollar amount of all athletics programs this year at $41,940. “This fundraising effort gives the various areas extra funding over and above any state budget amount that they receive to run their operation,” according to Gary K. Bennett, Fairmont State Foundation President. “This gives them money to do the things that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to do. It affords student scholarships in addition to what the state provides. It provides for some lab equipment that folks are interested in. It provides for some additional instructional equipment that wasn’t in the budget this year. It’s for those extra things they believe are needed to provide a better education experience for the students.” Throughout the year, the Foundation works to secure matching funds in support of the challenges offered during Day of Giving. Some of these generous matching gift donors include Fairmont State Board of Governors member, Kevin Rogers and his wife Tina, who provided matches for football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball programs. Tom and Lori Kliethermes provided match gifts made in support of academic and athletic scholarships. Fairmont State alumnus, Robert “Buck” Thompson, also matched gifts to the women’s basketball, men’s tennis and women’s tennis programs. William Laughlin and his wife Lois Muto Laughlin matched gifts in support of academic programs and athletic scholarships. Additionally, the Foundation received corporate sponsorships from DQE Communications, Fairmont Kitchen Center, Coal Country Miniature Golf and Keystone Realty Group (Christina Gouzd, Broker). “Once again, the Falcon Family has proven to be second to none when it comes to demonstrating their support,” said Fairmont State University President, Mirta M. Martin. “We shattered our goal. The funds raised are vital to the University. Through our donors’ generosity, dreams will be realized – academic and athletic programs will get stronger, and our faculty, staff and students will soar even higher. I am so grateful for this family each and every day.” Fairmont State University’s Third Annual Falcon Day of Giving will take place on Thursday, October 28, with the Fairmont State Foundation aiming to raise $325,000 during the 24-hour campaign. Falcon Day of Giving encourages alumni and friends of Fairmont State to donate to the areas that matter most to them.
“Falcon Day of Giving is an opportunity for the entire Falcon Family to join together in support of a common goal. Last year, more than 600 loyal alumni and donors participated on Falcon Day of Giving, raising more than $300,000,” said Gary K. Bennett, president of the Fairmont State Foundation. “Contributions during this special fundraising event support academics, athletics and a number of programs all across campus.” In preparation for the 2021 Falcon Day of Giving, donors have already pledged more than $149,000 for special challenges throughout the day. These giving opportunities allow donors to double their gift in areas including scholarships, colleges, programs and athletic teams. Some of these generous matching gift donors include Fairmont State Board of Governors member, Kevin Rogers and his wife Tina, who have pledged a total of $50,000 for football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball programs. Tom and Lori Kliethermes have pledged $15,000 to match gifts made in support of academic and athletic scholarships. Fairmont State alumnus, Robert “Buck” Thompson, will be matching gifts to the women’s basketball, men’s tennis and women’s tennis programs in the amount of $5,000 per team. William Laughlin and his wife Lois Muto Laughlin, who is an alumna of Fairmont State, are retired faculty members that have pledged a total of $12,500 in support of academic programs and athletic scholarships. Fairmont State Foundation Board member, Kevin Wilfong and his wife Donna, have pledged $10,000 supporting criminal justice scholarships and the football program. “The Fairmont State community – our campus community, our alumni and the cities and towns that support us – is one of the most caring and giving families I’ve ever been a part of,” said Fairmont State University President, Mirta M. Martin. “Each year they demonstrate their generosity during our annual Day of Giving event. The funds raised enable us to honor our commitment to providing transformative, affordable educational experiences – experiences that include athletics, academics and countless other programs across campus. I am so grateful for our dear Falcon Family, and I encourage everyone to take part in this fun and crucially important event.” This year, in partnership with Coal Country Miniature Golf and Keystone Realty Group (Christina Gouzd, Broker), the Foundation will host a mini-golf tournament on the evening of the Day of Giving. Adults 21 and older can register two or four-person teams for an evening of fun in support of the fundraising event. Registration is required at https://www.fsufoundation.org/giving/minigolf, and includes green fees, putter, golf balls and one drink ticket. Teams must register and pay as a group. Updates on total gifts received will be reported throughout the day on Fairmont State University and Fairmont State University Foundation social media platforms. In addition, highlights featuring interviews, special performances, challenges and donor shout outs will be available for viewing on social media during the 24-hour campaign. To learn more and view the entire listing of matches and challenges visit, https://falconsgive.fsufoundation.org. Fairmont State University alumni and friends contributed more than $300,000 in a 24-hour period on the second Falcon Day of Giving on Thursday, October 29, exceeding the fundraising goal by more than $50,000.
“Our loyal alumni and friends have not let COVID-19 or anything else stand in the way of supporting Fairmont State University,” said Julie R. Cryser, president of the Fairmont State Foundation, which organized and carried out the campaign on behalf of Fairmont State University. More than 600 donors, up from 387 last year, provided funds for everything from athletic scholarships to support for student programs and university projects. Athletics raised more than $140,000, with the men’s and women’s basketball teams leading the effort at nearly $29,000 and $24,000, respectively. Donors gave more than $89,000 to support scholarships, both academic ($44,000) and athletic ($18,000), while schools and colleges earned nearly $35,000 to support discretionary funds that can be utilized for scholarships, faculty support or projects. “Whether they work here, are friends of the University, or are Falcon alumni themselves, these donors know and have seen firsthand the transformative impact a Fairmont State education can have,” Mirta M. Martin, president of Fairmont State University, said. “Their gifts represent their belief in our efforts. Even in the midst of a historic, global pandemic, our community pulled together and proved, once again, that there is simply no stronger community than the Falcon Family.” Matches and challenges secured earlier in the year and made by alumni and friends helped to spur giving. A number of donors who contributed last year generously increased their giving this year in response to the pandemic and the University’s needs. Matches and challenges increased from 2019’s Falcon Day of Giving by nearly $50,000. “None of this would have been possible without the support of our alumni and friends or the dogged determination of our coaches, deans, faculty, staff and students,” Cryser said. “We can’t thank the donors enough and we can’t thank those who helped us spread the word and encourage participation enough, either.” The Day of Giving provides funding for students and the University, but it also serves to raise awareness about Fairmont State University and funding opportunities. People from as far away as Louisiana and California were sharing social media posts about the Day of Giving and encouraging friends, family and peers to give. “It was exciting to see the Falcon Family coming together to support Fairmont State University, its students, faculty and staff, especially after such a difficult year for so many people” Cryser said. With a goal of raising $250,000 in one day, alumni and friends will once again have the chance to double their contribution to Fairmont State University on the second Falcon Day of Giving to be held October 29.
Fairmont State Foundation is encouraging those who want to take advantage of this opportunity to create a donation strategy, from deciding what programs they would like to support to encouraging friends, family and fellow alumni to participate. “On just one day last year, we were able to raise nearly $200,000 from more than 160 loyal donors who wanted to make a difference at Fairmont State University,” said Julie Cryser, president of the Fairmont State Foundation. “The most successful fund raising came from departments, schools and athletic teams that developed strong strategies to make the most of the day.” Last year, the Fairmont State baseball team took full advantage of the program and was able to raise more than $10,000 to support the Friends of Baseball account, which funds team travel and other expenses. Baseball players rallied alumni, friends and parents to log in at 12:01 a.m. on the Day of Giving. “We raised as much money for the Friends of Baseball account in one day as we do with several of our events,” said Baseball Coach Phil Caruso. The matches and challenges and work put into gathering support ahead of the day paid off for many academic units, programs and projects. Kestrel: A Journal of Literature & Art, a juried literary publication, is produced twice a year at Fairmont State University. Kestrel publishes fiction, poetry, poetry in translation, creative non-fiction, book reviews, and visual art by established and emerging writers and artists, and is especially pleased to publish work by West Virginian and Appalachian writers and artists. Last year, with the assistance of the Fairmont State Foundation, a graduate student sent a letter to those who had supported the publication in the past. Professors and supporters encouraged donors to give and raised more than $3,000 for the publication. They took advantage of matches and challenges to increase support. The money raised represents about a year's budget for the production of the publication. “Kestrel's commitment to publishing high quality work from around the world and bringing contributors to Fairmont State's campus for biannual celebrations and provides students with opportunities to network with working writers and artists,” said Donna Long, who is a Fairmont State University professor and editor-in-chief of the publication. Fairmont State faculty, alumni and friends can also sign up to be social media ambassadors for the day. A complete toolkit and suggested posts will be provided to volunteers who want to share and encourage others to give. Jessica Sharps served as a social media ambassador last year, sending social media posts leading up the event and on that day to encourage people to give. She reached hundreds of friends and alumni to encourage them to log in and take advantage of the matches and challenges. “I’ve been a member of the Falcon Family for nearly 15 years and know that the Falcon spirit runs deep within our region, as well as throughout the state, and even the world,” said Sharps. “I encourage anyone who loves to use the power of social media to share information and encourage others to participate in this year’s Day of Giving as an ambassador.” During the inaugural Fairmont State University Day of Giving more than 370 donors helped to raise nearly $200,000 setting a record for the most gifts the University has ever received in one day.
“We’re so proud of the Fairmont State University community of alumni and friends who came together to show the power of philanthropy,” Julie R. Cryser, president of the Fairmont State Foundation, said. The Foundation raises money on Fairmont State University’s behalf. “Our goal was to bring awareness to the opportunities that exist to make real change in the lives of our Fairmont State University students, and we met and exceeded that goal,” she said. Fairmont State University Athletics had the highest number of donors and received a little more than $80,000 to support scholarships and athletic teams. More than $22,000 was raised to support athletic scholarships alone. “I would like to thank Julie Cryser and all Day of Giving ambassadors for their hard work during this year’s inaugural Day of Giving,” Chad Fowler, Director of Athletic, said. “Financial support is critical to our teams and student athletes and we are pleased with the overwhelming support we received during Day of Giving.” On the academic side, the School of Business & Aviation raised nearly $30,000 to support students and faculty within the school. The College of Liberals Arts came in second on the academic side, raising nearly $18,000. The Fairmont State Foundation raised more than $17,000 for overall academic scholarship support, which has been a focus for President Mirta M. Martin. “When I talk about the impact of the Falcon Family, I mean it!” Dr. Martin said. “By raising nearly $200,000 in a single day, our friends, families, and alumni, here and around the world, are making it possible for Fairmont State to uphold its promise to provide an exceptional, affordable education and a one-of-a-kind college experience to our students.” A variety of individuals and local businesses helped with rallying support during the event by creating matches and challenges, creating a sense of competition between the various academic and athletic units. “We can’t thank those who helped us along the way with matches and challenges enough,” said Cryser. “Without their support, we would never have been successful.” The Day of Giving the final numbers are still being calculated. Donors who may have missed giving and wish to still give can go to fsufoundation.org. Thanks to donors, the Fairmont State Foundation can give more than $1 million annually in scholarships to Fairmont State University students and support a variety of academic and athletic initiatives. Fairmont State University and the Fairmont State Foundation have teamed up for the inaugural Falcon Day of Giving November 7 – one day to raise $250,000 to support scholarships, academic units, and athletics.
Donors from throughout the region have provided more than $100,000 in matches and challenges to encourage people to give online or through the lunch-time drive-through at the Fairmont State Foundation. The giving day will kick off at midnight on Nov. 7 and end at 11:59 p.m. All gifts that are made in that time period will be counted toward the Falcon Day of Giving goal of $250,000. To heat up the competition, matches and challenges will encourage givers to log on to falconsgive.fsufoundation.org. They will also provide academic and athletic programs a chance to double or triple their giving on that day. “By logging on to the website now, you can create a strategy for ensuring that your favorite program or sport gets as many matches and challenges as possible to increase the amount of money they will receive on November 7,” Fairmont State Foundation President Julie R. Cryser said. “But you won’t be able to capture these opportunities without logging on that day and giving or stopping by our lunch-time drive-through.” Global matches are available for both academics and athletics, as well as a lunch-time challenge that will offer $1,000 to the academic unit with the most donations between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Matches and challenges include:
For those who would like a quick lunch and to swipe their credit card to donate, donors can drive through in the front of the 1300 Locust Ave. Fairmont State Alumni Center building between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Those who choose to give at the alumni center will receive a Country Club Bakery pepperoni roll, donated by the local bakery, and a bag of chips. Participants can also get a picture with Freddie the Falcon, who will be on hand. “We want to make this a fun, memorable day with a purpose -- One Day, One Goal, One Falcon Family – to raise $250,000 in one day and show the region that we are Falcon Strong,” Cryser said. “We would encourage you to make a donation and help us unlock all of our matches and challenges.” Donors can go to falconsgive.fsufoundation.org to make their donation. You can also help spread the word on social media platforms by becoming a social media ambassador. To sign up as a social media ambassador visit www.fsufoundation.org/news/2019/ambassador. |
