Fairmont State University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni
Fairmont State University, a cornerstone of education in West Virginia, boasts a rich history of producing accomplished individuals across diverse fields. From politics and athletics to education and business, Fairmont State alumni have made significant contributions to their communities and beyond. This article explores the stories of some of the university's most notable graduates, highlighting their achievements and the impact they have had on the world.
Celebrating Alumni Achievement
Fairmont State University recognizes the accomplishments of its graduates through annual Homecoming celebrations. The Emeritus and Alumni Luncheon, a highlight of the Homecoming festivities, honors a new group of notable alumni. As Fairmont State University President Mike Davis stated, he is "thrilled to welcome back an outstanding group of alumni for recognition as Alumni Award Winners." In addition to the Alumni Luncheon, honorees are also recognized at halftime during the Homecoming football game.
2023 Alumni Award Winners
The 2023 Homecoming celebrations recognized several distinguished alumni for their outstanding achievements:
Dr. Vicki Huffman: A dedicated educator, Dr. Huffman recently retired as principal of Johnson Elementary School in Bridgeport, West Virginia. Her career began with student teaching at Johnson Elementary in 1983. After seven years, she returned as Assistant Principal for five years and then Principal for the past 12 years. A 1984 graduate of Fairmont State College with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, she was a member of the women’s basketball team and named a NAIA All-American. She also holds a master’s from Salem-Teikyo University and further certifications from WVU and WV Graduate College. Dr. Huffman was a Reading Recovery Teacher leader in West Virginia from 1992-2000 and has served on the Harrison County Parks & Recreation Board for 24 years.
Kevin Rogers: With over 44 years of experience in electrical contracting, Kevin Rogers is the President of Rogers Electrical, a company he founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Fairmont, West Virginia. His experience includes company ownership and operations. Before Rogers Electrical, Kevin owned and operated another electrical contracting business in the same industry for approximately 15 years. Kevin is a strong advocate for Fairmont State University, a former member of the Fairmont State Foundation Board of Directors, and is currently serving on the Fairmont State University Board of Governors.
Read also: The History of Fairmont State Football
State Senator Ryan Weld: A 2003 Fairmont State graduate, Ryan Weld was first elected to the Legislature in 2014, serving one term in the House of Delegates. In the Senate, he serves as the Majority Whip, Chair of the Military Committee, and Vice Chair of the Judiciary Committee. Prior to his legislative service, Ryan was commissioned into the Air Force Reserve in 2005 and served on active duty. He obtained his law degree from Duquesne University in 2015. While at Fairmont, he was a member of the Student Government Association, Tau Beta Lota Fraternity, and the Fairmont State men’s swim team.
Amie Gump Fazalare: A 1990 graduate of Fairmont State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health Administration and an Associate degree in Medical Record Technology. Amie received her Master of Arts degree in Counseling from West Virginia University in 1992. She began her 32 year-long career with Fairmont State while completing her counseling program. She was a first-generation college student from Warren, Ohio. Amie directed the multi-million-dollar Federal GEAR UP grant and currently serves as the Director of Legacy Engagement and is an Academic Success Coordinator. Amie’s state-level affiliations include chairing the WV ACT Council and while working in Admissions and Recruiting she served as President for WVACRAO. In 2000, Amie received the WVACRAO Rick Snow Award.
CJ Goodwin: A West Virginia native from Wheeling, CJ Goodwin is a 2012 Fairmont State graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. He transferred to Fairmont State University in 2010 after spending two years at Bethany College. After a single season at Fairmont State, CJ transferred as a graduate student to California University of Pennsylvania. After a single season with the Steelers, CJ spent three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and made an appearance in Super Bowl 51. Ultimately, CJ ended up with the Dallas Cowboys and is still a member of the organization. Off the field, CJ spends time mentoring the youth of the Perry Galloway Jr. Foundation, a nonprofit mentoring organization he founded to honor his late father.
Mitch Moore: A 2016 graduate of Fairmont State, holding degrees in both Accounting and Business Management with a concentration in Finance. During his time at Fairmont State, Mitch was heavily involved in several on-campus organizations and served as the Student Body President from 2014-2016. After graduation, Mitch earned his Juris Doctor, Order of the Coif, from the West Virginia University College of Law. Mitch is now an attorney with the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson in Morgantown, WV.
Victoria Stiles: A Fairmont native, Victoria Stiles graduated from Fairmont State University with degrees in Health and Physical Education in 2014. During her time at Fairmont State, she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma National Sorority and was a student worker at the College Park apartments.
Read also: Scholarships for International Students
Brian Abraham: A Logan County native, is a class of 1993 graduate, with a degree in Business Administration. After receiving his bachelor’s degree he went on to graduate from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1996. He joined the office of Governor Jim Justice in 2017 as the General Counsel and then was selected as his Chief of Staff in January 0f 2021. He serves on various boards and commissions of the state.
Kenneth Hibbs: A 1981 graduate of Fairmont State with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with specializations in Chemistry and Physics. While at Fairmont State, he was a member of the American Chemical Society for Students and Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Ken taught chemistry, physics and physical science for over 35 years in Marion County schools. Ken also coached sports for over 20 years, coaching basketball, baseball, cross country and track & field. He coached the 2017 AA Boys West Virginia State Cross Country Championship team. He has been selected as a four-time NCAC/BIG 10 conference coach of the year, and also the 2018 West Virginia State Cross Country Coach of the Year.
Linda Longstreth: The youngest of eight siblings, was born and raised in Mannington, West Virginia. Linda earned her Bachelor of Arts from Fairmont State College and her Master of Science from West Virginia University. She served her county as a soldier and Staff Sergeant in the United States Army Reserves. Linda worked at the Department of Human Services and was the Administrator of OIC Training Academy, a program dedicated to helping women in need of skills in medical and dental assisting. Linda served the state of West Virginia for 16 years when she was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates. She is currently on the Marion County Commission and enjoys gardening.
Barbara Scott: A 1975 graduate of Fairmont State with a Bachelor of Science Degree and is a member of Phi Mu Sorority. Barbara was the Circuit Clerk of Marion County for 26 years. She served on numerous committees for the Supreme Court, served twice as President of the West Virginia Association of Counties and has been recognized twice by the Trial Lawyers as Outstanding Clerk. After retiring in 2013 she was approached by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to serve as a consultant for Court and Online Information Services to implement a statewide paperless court system. She retired from that role in 2019.
Dr. Ronald D. Pearse: grew up in Monongah, WV, and is the son of TJ and Madge Pearse, lifelong educators in Marion County. Ron graduated from Fairmont State in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology in 1967 from West Virginia University. Ron opened a private practice as a Licensed Psychologist in 1971 and received a Doctor of Education degree in Counseling Psychology in 1990 from WVU. During his private practice Dr. Pearse provided assessments, evaluations, counseling and therapy services to many state, local, regional and federal organizations. Dr. Pearse is a Co-owner and Founder of Academy Programs, LLC. Ron was elected WV Jaycees President in 1965 and served as United States National Vice President of Jaycees from 1966-1967. Dr. Pearse was awarded a Diplomate from the American College of Forensic Examiners in 1998 and the Alumni of Achievement Award from the Fairmont State Alumni Association in 2002.
Read also: Fairmont State Tuition Breakdown
Notable Alumni by Prominence
Beyond the annual award winners, Fairmont State University has a number of alumni who have gained national and international recognition. EduRank, an independent metric-based ranking of universities, lists notable alumni sorted by their wiki pages popularity.
Drew Hankinson (Luke Gallows): A professional wrestler signed to WWE, performing on the SmackDown brand.
Perry Baker: A former American rugby union player who played for the United States national rugby sevens team and a two-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year.
Bill Stewart: An American football coach who served as head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers.
Chandler Zavala: An American football guard for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL).
Frank Kendall Everest Jr.: A Brigadier General and Air Force officer, remembered as an aeroengineer and test pilot.
Roxann Robinson: A Republican politician who served in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Ryan Weld: A Republican member of the West Virginia Senate.
George C. Edwards: An American politician who previously served as a member of the Maryland Senate.
William O. Atkeson: A Republican Representative representing Missouri's 6th congressional district.
Ira E. Robinson: An American politician, judge, and the second chairman of the Federal Radio Commission (1928-32).
Wendell R. Beitzel: An American Republican politician from Maryland.
The Legacy of Joe Retton
Joe Retton, a legendary basketball coach at Fairmont State, left an indelible mark on the university and the wider community. His impact extended far beyond the basketball court, shaping the character and values of Fairmont. As current Fairmont State men's basketball coach Joe Mazzulla noted, Retton "established a blue collar, hard-working mentality that we strive to maintain each and every day."
Retton's coaching career at Fairmont State was marked by remarkable success, with a 478-95 record and a .836 winning percentage. He was a two-time NAIA National Coach of the Year. More than just a coach, Retton was a mentor and friend to many, instilling life lessons and shaping the lives of his players.
The Fraternity of Tau Beta Iota
The Fraternity of Tau Beta Iota, founded at Fairmont State Normal School in 1926, has been a significant part of the university's history. This Men’s Greek Letter Fraternity Alumni Association consists exclusively of alumni from Tau Beta Iota Fraternity. The fraternity's founders included James Ellis Simpson, Jr., Orley Lemley Haines, John Herbert Henry, James Carroll Michael, Kenneth Elliot Chenoweth, Scott Homer Davis, Jarrett Ulrich Hamilton, Paul Moore Hefner, Clyde Thomas Hickman, Victor Nay Lough, Ora Cecil Mason, Charles Francis McDade and Galbraith McFadden Weaver.
Campus Landmarks Honoring Notable Figures
Fairmont State University's campus features several landmarks named after individuals who have made significant contributions to the university. These include:
- Rosier Field: Named after The Honorable Joseph Rosier, College President and US Senator.
- Duval / Rosier Field: Named after Coach Harold S. “Deacon” Duval, Championship Football Coach.
- WV Folklife Center: Named after Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. “Pooch” and Jayne Gabor.
- Hunt / Haught Hall: Named after Professor George Hunt and Professor Cleo Haught.
- Pence Hall: Named after President John W. Pence.
- Turley Center “The Nickel”: Named after Dean George H. Turley.
- Wallman Hall: Named after Professor Lawrence A. Wallman.
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