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.

Fairmont State’s Ruth Ann Musick Library hosted its first writing contest this March in which Fairmont State University students submitted work based on the American Library Association’s National Library Week theme, “There’s More to the Story.”

Students were encouraged to write either a short story or a poetry submission inspired by the theme of “There’s More to the Story” and the prompt “Photo and/or Diary." Nineteen submissions were received: eight short story submissions and eleven poetry submissions. The selected winners for the short story category include Avary King (first place), Sydney Brooks (second place), and Natalie Clingenpeel (third place). The selected winners of the poetry category include Molly Simpson (first place), Alexandra Mellott (second place), and Vetra Foster (third place).

Reilly Crow, a junior Graphic Design Technology major from Glendale, West Virginia, established the contest in partnership with the Ruth Ann Musick Library staff . “People need a way to express themselves,” he said. “When people share stories, there are always some left-out details. With the theme “There’s More to the Story,” we see what reading stories are for.”

Each first place winner received a $250 cash prize and publication in next year’s edition of Whetstone, Fairmont State University’s undergraduate literary and art journal.

“We have a lot of creative, amazing young people on this campus that are growing, changing, and always doing awesome things,” said Jacquelynn Sherman, Assistant Library Director.“Their accomplishments are just one example, one little piece of the whole that makes Fairmont State such a great place to learn.”

“Fairmont State was wonderful for me,” said Dr. Jude Black, President of the Appalachian Life Enrichment Counseling Center in Fairmont. “It was big enough that I could get lost in, but small enough that I could stay grounded when I needed to.”

Dr. Black, 1990 graduate of the College of Liberal Arts with a degree in Criminal Justice, presented career advice and career optimization to students in psychology courses and the Student Veterans Organization. She credits Fairmont State as the birthplace of her independence and confidence as an entrepreneur of a prominent local business.

“I loved the foundation that I got through Fairmont State. It’s where learning clicked for me,” said Black. “I really had to learn how to apply myself and that helped me with a lot of my business decisions. I never knew I could fail because it wasn’t something I considered.”

Dr. Mitch Sokolosky, a 1988 graduate with a degree in Biology from the College of Science and Technology and the Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, presented biology and healthcare management to students in biology courses and the Tri-Beta Biology Honors Association. He attributes the experiences he had as a Falcon in shaping his career in emergency medicine.

“I took an emergency medical technician elective. It wasn’t required for my degree, but it allowed me the opportunity to volunteer in a local ambulance service and later become a paramedic in Fairmont,” said Sokoloksy. “Fairmont State is the reason I became an emergency physician.”

Bill Black, 1989 graduate of the College of Liberal Arts and Vice President of Operations at Appalachian Life Enrichment Counseling Center, presented leadership lessons and career advice to students in the National Security and Intelligence program, the Student Government Association and the Student Veterans Organization.

Danijel Velicki, 2000 graduate of the College of Business and Aviation and Founder and CEO of Sqwire, a company which conducts financial wellness courses, presented on financial literacy and business leadership with the men’s basketball team and students in business ethics courses.

Ryan Weld, 2003 graduate of the College of Liberal Arts with a degree in Political Science and West Virginia State Senate Majority Whip, presented leadership lessons and career advice to students in the National Security and Intelligence program and the Student Government Association. Weld, a former member of the Men’s Swimming team also took time to meet with members of the current Men’s and Women’s Swimming teams to share experiences from his time as a student athlete.

Gerard Schmidt, 1971 graduate of the College of Liberal Arts with a degree in Psychology and Chief Operations Officer of Valley Healthcare System, an institution designed to treat patients facing addiction, mental illness, and disabilities, presented leadership lessons and shared advice on mental health nursing to students in the Nursing program.

Robert Hawkins, 1970 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and Retired Director of Faculty Professional Education at Defense Acquisition University, presented to students on the value of a degree in education. He also gave his presentation “Elements of Change: How Learning is Being Redefined” to faculty in the College of Education Health and Human Performance.

Roberta Stronsider, 1967 graduate of the College of Education, Health, and Human Performance and Professor Emerita in Special Education at Towson University and Co-Director of the Institute on Executive Functioning, presented to education faculty and students on accelerating students’ executive growth the utilizing explicit instruction of metacognitive strategies.

“It’s difficult to express how much we appreciate the investment of each of these alumni making time to come back and pour into our students. The value that they provided with their years of insight and experience has been incalculable,” said Tim Liebrecht, Director of Development. “We are so proud to be able to help connect alumni back to our current students and faculty and we look forward to more of these events in the future.”

The “Every Gift Matters—the Scholarship Campaign” helps students to continue their education both in and out of the classroom while also being able to gain experiences they wouldn’t otherwise have had.  Student-athlete Lake Porter of Charleston, W.Va., said scholarships give her a sense of relief knowing she is taken care of and can focus on her academics. 

A double major in marketing and accounting and a member of the Women’s Soccer Team, Porter said receiving a scholarship is the same as hearing someone is betting on her to become successful. 

“It’s like receiving a key tool that will help you with this journey. Scholarships mean everything, I set out on a journey at 8 years old to get a scholarship to help me have a ticket to education,” she said. “It’s given my mom peace of mind knowing that I’m taken care of here and I can’t wait until the day I have a diploma in my hand and my mom in the other, I owe that all to the scholarships I received from Fairmont State University.” 
Porter is on the Student Leadership Board for the School of Business and a member of Team Impact. Over the next few years she hopes to join more clubs with focuses on business and entrepreneurship. 

"My scholarships are proof that hard work and staying focused may be rewarded. They give me a certain drive on the field and in the classroom to make sure that I maintain the requirements necessary to keep them,” she said. "This blessing has also given me responsibilities that I think have helped shaped me into a person my parents, siblings, mentors, and coaches can be proud of."

To be given the opportunity to attend Fairmont State through the ticket of a sport she loves and the emphasis donors have put on the importance of a college education, Porter said is one of the things she is so grateful for. 

"We are treated like family members here. I have never stepped into a room full of students and staff members where I have felt unwelcome. The range of diversity is refreshing,” she said. "It’s incredibly easy to learn something new every day, whether it be in the classroom, while meeting new people, or even finding out something about yourself. This is the best time.” 

Porter enjoys being surrounded by people who are on a mission to achieve their dreams just like she is and that the best part is the professors and staff on campus help them to do just that. 

"When you donate to Fairmont State University, you can rest assured that your donation is being used to help a kid turn their dreams into a reality,” she said. "There are some students here are the very first in their families to attend college, and you can know that you have helped that student make history."