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.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Wooddell for their generous support of Fairmont State University students. Their investment is a powerful affirmation of the value of accessible education and the transformative impact it can have,” said Fairmont State University President Mike Davis. “Scholarships such as these are instrumental in improving student retention and degree completion, helping to ensure that financial barriers do not stand in the way of academic success. Fairmont State is a Great Place to Learn, and it is through the commitment of donors like the Wooddells that we are able to uphold that vision for more students. Their contribution will have a lasting influence on the lives of those they support and on the future of our institution.”

Born and raised in West Virginia, Mr. Wooddell attended Upshur County schools before earning a business degree from Fairmont State in 1971. Though he and Teresa now live in Florida, West Virginia is still home in spirit.

“Teresa and I both grew up in families that didn’t have a lot,” Mr. Wooddell said. “One morning I woke up and thought if we can help somebody from a background like ours finish college, this is what we want to do.”

Mr. Wooddell says he never made “big money,” but he lived responsibly and invested wisely. His financial success came from discipline and a lesson he never forgot. “A good friend once told me, if you make $25,000 and save $5,000, you’ll have something someday. But if you make $250,000 and spend
$275,000, you’ll be broke. That stuck with me.”

After serving in the Army during the Vietnam era, Mr.Wooddell returned home and eventually landed a job at a coal mine. When the mine closed, he leaned on his work ethic to start a lawn care business. That small operation turned into a 26-year career.

“My business degree helped me figure out how to run the business side of things – taxes, expenses, and planning. I didn’t need a degree to cut grass, but it helped me grow something stable.”

Mr. Wooddell eventually sold the business to his nephew and made good on a childhood dream: to live in Florida for the winters like the retirees he remembered admiring as a boy. By 2013, the Wooddells became full-time Florida residents. Still, the impact of their West Virginia upbringing remains central to their values.

The couple has also established a planned gift, which they hope will last for generations. Mr. Wooddell made it clear that he didn’t give to see his name in lights. He simply wants to help others finish what they start. “When I started college, they told us only one in four of us would finish. I don’t know if that’s still the case, but I hope this helps somebody stay the course and complete a degree. That’s what I care about.”

Fairmont State Foundation Director of Development Marissa Mauro expressed deep appreciation for the Wooddells’ generosity. “Mr. and Mrs. Wooddells’ gift reflects a profound commitment to education and community. Their story shows that anyone with a vision, regardless of how they started, can leave a lasting impact. Their legacy will support Fairmont State students for decades to come, and we are honored to help fulfill their vision.”

Mr. Wooddell also hopes that sharing their story might encourage others to give. “If this inspires another couple to do something similar, it would all be worth it.”

The couple has been together for more than 40 years. As Mr. Wooddell sees it, this scholarship is the legacy they leave behind. “For some people, their kids are their legacy. This scholarship is ours.”

For more information about establishing a scholarship or planned gift at Fairmont State University, 
visit www.fsufoundation.org/create-scholarship or contact our office at 304-534-8786.

“I have been very fortunate to have a career in medicine that has given me many opportunities, all due to the quality of my education at Fairmont State and the WVU School of Medicine,” Edmond said. “I’m enormously grateful for that, and funding a scholarship is a way for me to pay it forward.”

Edmond credits his undergraduate experience at Fairmont State for laying the groundwork for his success. “At Fairmont State, I had excellent professors who provided me with the educational foundation needed to navigate the academic challenges of medical school,” he said.

After medical school and residency at West Virginia University, Edmond held roles at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Iowa. Today, he leads statewide healthcare initiatives as the Chief Medical Officer for the West Virginia University Health System, working to improve healthcare access and outcomes across five states and 25 hospitals.

His new scholarship is deeply personal. “As a first-generation college student from Marion County, I wanted to create a scholarship for someone like me,” he said. “The student body at Fairmont State has always had a high proportion of first-generation students. So, the scholarship is for a first-generation student from Marion County who wants to pursue a career in medicine.”

“Dr. Edmond’s gift is the perfect intersection of giving and institutional vision,” Mike Davis, President of Fairmont State University, said. “Fairmont State is a Great Place to Learn, and we work every day to uphold that promise. As a first-generation student from this area, Dr. Edmond understands and appreciates how hard we work to provide transformative educational experiences. The scholarship he has endowed will inspire the next generation of home-grown talent.”

Edmond has also established a companion scholarship at the WVU School of Medicine for Fairmont State graduates who continue their medical education at WVU.

His vision is simple but impactful: to ease the path for students following in his footsteps. “First-generation college students face a number of challenges, and my hope for both scholarships is to make the recipients’ paths a bit easier,” he said.

Marissa Mauro, Director of Development at the Fairmont State Foundation, acknowledged Edmond's generosity as a powerful example of alumni giving back with purpose. “Gifts like Dr. Edmond’s are transformational, not only for the students who receive the scholarship but for the entire university community. They show what is possible when alumni invest in the next generation. We are deeply grateful for his vision and generosity, and we look forward to seeing the lives that will be changed because of this gift.”

Edmond’s story is one of success, gratitude, and a commitment to ensuring that today’s students have the same opportunities that Fairmont State once provided him. Through this endowed scholarship, his legacy will continue to inspire and support aspiring physicians from Marion County for generations to come.

For more information about establishing a scholarship at Fairmont State University, 
visit www.fsufoundation.org/create-scholarship or contact our office at 304-534-8786.

“Laura was a good kid, and music was a big part of her life, just like it was for me,” said Smith. “She went to East Fairmont, played in the band, and graduated from Fairmont State with a business degree. I always wanted to do something in her name because she meant so much to me. I hope this scholarship helps keep her memory alive in a meaningful way.”

“I am moved by Lawrence Smith’s generosity with the creation of this memorial scholarship,” said Dr. Mike Davis, President of Fairmont State University. “It’s a reminder that when we speak about Fairmont State as a place of transformation, that often goes both ways. Yes, a Fairmont State education transforms our students, and equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary for a rewarding career. But the campus community is also transformed by our students’ presence, and we will be forever changed by Laura’s time at Fairmont State. This scholarship helps us celebrate Laura’s memory and her love for East Fairmont High School, Fairmont State University, and music.”

The Smith family’s connection to Fairmont State stretches back nearly a century. Mr. Smith’s grandmother was a graduate of the Fairmont Normal School, which was Fairmont State’s name from 1867 to 1931. His father, Dr. G. Wayne Smith, served as head of the history department beginning in 1954, and Mr. Smith himself graduated in 1971, followed by his brother in 1972. 

In addition to working full-time jobs in a machine shop and later for the Department of Corrections, Smith completed his degree at Fairmont State by taking 12 credit hours at a time. His persistence and passion for learning, paired with his enduring love for music, are values he hopes will inspire the recipients of this scholarship.

“Mr. Smith’s gift is not just impactful, it’s transformative. This endowment will allow us to honor Laura’s family legacy and invest in students who embody the spirit and history of Fairmont State,” according to Marissa Mauro, Director of Development at the Fairmont State Foundation. “The Laura R. Smith Memorial Endowed Scholarship is a beautiful testament to how personal stories and heartfelt generosity can create lasting opportunities.”

Smith’s reflections on Fairmont State go beyond the classroom. He recalls sledding down campus hills, swimming in the campus pool thanks to his father’s faculty status, and celebrating championship-winning football and basketball games as a student. For Smith, Fairmont State isn’t just a school, but a family legacy.

“Fairmont State has been part of my life since I was 12. I’ve always had a fondness for this place,” he said. “It gave me and my family opportunity, and now I hope this scholarship gives that same opportunity to someone who loves music, just like Laura did.”

As Fairmont State continues to grow and adapt, gifts like Mr. Smith’s ensure that tradition, talent, and love
for the arts remain part of the University’s vibrant future.

The Laura R. Smith Memorial Endowed Scholarship will be awarded annually to an incoming or current Fairmont State student who graduated from East Fairmont High School, participated in the high school band, and intends to pursue a minor in musical arts. In the event no eligible student from East Fairmont High is identified, the scholarship may be awarded to another qualifying student.

For more information about establishing a scholarship at Fairmont State University, 
visit www.fsufoundation.org/create-scholarship or contact our office at 304-534-8786.