​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.

Molli Taylor can still tell you her third-grade teacher’s name. Amy Merrill. She can tell you without hesitation that Mrs. Merrill is a big part of why she is sitting in the education program at Fairmont State University today. “She was definitely a big role model,” Molli said. “I really want to be like her and be a good teacher.”

Growing up as the daughter of a military officer, Molli had mapped out an ambitious future – medicine, law, perhaps a career in uniform like her father. But when a scholarship application stopped her in her tracks, something clicked.
 
“I applied for a scholarship for future educators, and when I got it, I was like, this is my calling,” said the Fairmont native, who is finishing her first year in the education program. “This is what I’m supposed to do.”
 
Looking back, the signs had been there all along. She had spent summers working with children at church camps, planning activities, leading groups, pouring energy into the kids around her. Her mother had noticed. “My mom was like, ‘Molli, you know…’” she recalled, laughing. “And I was like, oh, wow. I could be a great teacher.”
 
Now pursuing a K-12 Special Education certification, with a secondary interest in teaching second or third grade general education, Molli has her sights set on having precisely that kind of lasting impact on the students she will one day call her own. “I just want them to love learning,” she said simply.

Molli chose Fairmont State deliberately, drawn by the strength of its education program and, equally, by its sense of community. “I love the small community,” she said. “I know that education is a big program here, so I was like, I absolutely need to go here if I’m going to be a teacher. I fell in love with it.”

Scholarship support has shaped that experience in meaningful ways. As a recipient of scholarship support, Molli has been able to focus on her studies and campus involvement without the financial weight that accompanies so many college journeys. She works, but for spending money, not tuition. “It’s more money that I can put toward grad school,” she said. “It definitely helps a lot.”

Her ambitions don’t stop at a bachelor’s degree. Molli is already planning a master’s degree in special education, and she is enjoying something a bit more adventurous along the way. As a member of Fairmont State’s Honors Program, she recently traveled to Rome on a program trip supported in part by donor generosity. It was her first time outside the United States.

“I never imagined it being that huge,” she said of the Colosseum, still marveling at the memory. “I knew it was big, but not truly that huge until I was actually there.”

The Honors Program has been more than a passport stamp. Molli describes it as a genuine community, with engaged advisors, service opportunities, and a cohort of students who push one another. The coursework is more rigorous, she acknowledges, but the investment feels right. “It’s a really good program to get involved with,” she said.

On campus, Molli leads a women’s Christian ministry called Delight, which meets weekly and draws about 20 students. She also participates in the Baptist Collegiate Ministry on Tuesday evenings. This summer, she will develop and teach a full curriculum at her church’s youth camp, her first time building lessons from scratch, while also taking two online courses and planning a trip to see family on the west coast.

It is a full life, built deliberately, and she is grateful for the donors who have helped make it possible. When asked what she would say to those who funded her scholarship, she didn’t hesitate.

“I would say, thank you so much for investing in me,” she said. She noted that her scholarship honors an educator’s legacy, and that the connection feels personal. 

There is something quietly full-circle about that. A scholarship established in memory of an educator, now carrying a future educator forward, one classroom, one student, one moment of belonging at a time.

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.
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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.

At Fairmont State University, stories of student success are deeply tied to the generosity of those who believe in the power of education. One such story is that of Harmonie Molnar, a first-year student in the College of Nursing whose path has been shaped by dedication, purpose, and the critical support of scholarships made possible through donor contributions.

Harmonie, a Fairmont resident originally from Morgantown, chose Fairmont State not only for its academic offerings but also for its affordability and accessibility. “I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else,” she shared. “Fairmont State allows me to stay close to the community I care about, while also giving me the chance to grow into who I want to become.”

Her decision to pursue a degree in nursing came after exploring social work and realizing with her mother’s guidance that her desire to make a meaningful impact on others could also align with a healthcare career. As she pursues her Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree and plans for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Harmonie is laying the groundwork for a successful career in healthcare – a field where compassionate care can change lives.

Like many Fairmont State students, Harmonie’s ability to focus on her education without being overwhelmed by financial stress is directly tied to donor-funded scholarships. “I never imagined how important scholarship support would be,” she said. “The scholarships I’ve been awarded don’t just help me pay for school. They give me confidence. Knowing someone believes in my future enough to invest in my success motivates me every day.”

Her gratitude is deep and personal. “To every donor who supports students like me, I want to say thank you. Your gift is not just helping me go to college. You are helping shape my future and I am grateful for
your support.”

Harmonie has also found purpose and connection through involvement in campus life. She is an active member of the Black Student Union and the sorority Zeta Phi Beta, two organizations that have provided friendship, leadership opportunities, and a strong support system as she navigates her first year of college. Through events like Fairmont State’s Day of Giving, Harmonie has also experienced the power of philanthropy on campus. 

“The Black Student Union doesn’t have a lot of funding, so when donors contribute, it allows us to plan events that build community and a sense of belonging,” she said. “It means a lot to us and the students who come after us.”

Harmonie’s long-term vision includes becoming a traveling nurse, gaining experience across the country, and ultimately advancing her education through a master’s degree. After completing her BSN at Fairmont State, she hopes to continue her studies online while working in hospitals to gain the clinical hours required for travel nursing. 

Harmonie Molnar’s story is just one of many at Fairmont State – a story that illustrates how donor generosity changes lives in real, lasting ways. Each scholarship, each contribution to student organizations, and each investment in university resources builds a foundation for students who are prepared to lead with compassion, integrity, and purpose.

For those considering establishing a scholarship at Fairmont State, Harmonie is a compelling reminder of the impact your support can have. She represents the future of healthcare and the tangible return on investments in education.

For more information, visit www.fsufoundation.org/create-scholarship or contact our office at 304-534-8786.