Community Bulletin
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FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The Fairmont State Foundation closed fiscal year 2026 having raised $4.6 million in support of Fairmont State University. The total exceeds its annual fundraising goal and marks an 84% increase in fundraising activity over the $2.5 million raised the previous fiscal year.
During the fiscal year, which ended June 30, the nonprofit received 4,852 gifts from 2,401 individual and corporate donors. Additionally, more than $1.3 million in scholarship aid was disbursed to students studying at Fairmont State, and the organization celebrated a record year for its annual Day of Giving campaign, raising $880,152 for students and programs throughout campus.
“Reaching this level of support tells us that donors believe in the transformative impact of a Fairmont State University education,” said Marissa Mauro, president of the Fairmont State Foundation. “This year’s results reflect the strength of our donor community, and we’re going to keep building on this momentum for students on campus now and many years to come.”
Mauro, a second-generation Falcon, joined the Foundation team in 2018 and served in a variety of roles before being named president in spring 2026. She credits much of her success to the relationships she built as a Fairmont State student. Encouraged by professors who challenged her and invested in her growth, Mauro later returned to earn her MBA and developed the collaborative problem-solving skills that continue to guide her leadership today. She said those experiences instilled a deep appreciation for the personal connections that define the Fairmont State community and inspired her commitment to helping donors create lasting opportunities for students.
“The extraordinary generosity of our donors expands opportunities for Fairmont State students and strengthens the University’s ability to fulfill our mission,” said Fairmont State University President Mike Davis. “I am deeply grateful to every individual, business, and organization that chose to invest in Fairmont State. Their support reflects a shared belief in our students and the transformative power of higher education. I also want to thank Marissa Mauro and the entire Fairmont State Foundation team for their outstanding work in helping position Fairmont State for continued success.”
As the Foundation continues this momentum, it has also welcomed four new members to its board of directors for fiscal year 2027. This cohort includes Seth Davis, principal with Baker Tilly Advisory Group; Cindy Dickey, chief executive officer of Fairmont Federal Credit Union; Tim Turner, founder of Elevate Therapy Center; and Craig Walker, chief executive officer of FCX Systems Inc.
Seth Davis, a 1999 Fairmont State alumnus, serves as a principal with Baker Tilly Advisory Group in the Washington, D.C., area. Since earning his accounting degree from Fairmont State, he has built a career spanning more than 25 years in tax and accounting services, advising growth-oriented private and public companies across diverse industries. As a certified public accountant, Davis brings extensive financial expertise and a strong connection to the University to his service on the Foundation board.
Cindy Dickey, a 1993 Fairmont State alumna, serves as chief executive officer of Fairmont Federal Credit Union, where she has built a career spanning more than three decades. Beginning as a teller, she advanced through a variety of leadership roles focused on regulatory compliance, audit and technology before being named CEO. In 2024, she was recognized by the Fairmont State Alumni Association as an Alumna of Achievement. Dickey remains actively involved in community service and industry leadership through her volunteer work with Fairmont Federal’s Robes for Recovery initiative and her service on the boards of the West Virginia Credit Union League and West Virginia League Services Inc.
Tim Turner, a Fairmont native and founder of Elevate Therapy Center, brings extensive healthcare and community leadership experience to the board. A board-certified Sports Clinical Specialist and certified athletic trainer, he has dedicated his career to helping individuals throughout North Central West Virginia improve their health and quality of life. Turner said he looks forward to supporting the Foundation’s mission and investing in opportunities that strengthen Fairmont State University and the region it serves.
Craig Walker brings decades of executive leadership, financial management and nonprofit governance experience to the Foundation board. He serves as chief executive officer of FCX Systems Inc., a Morgantown-based manufacturer with equipment deployed in more than 80 countries. Throughout a career spanning nearly five decades, Walker has held leadership roles with Glenmark Holding, West Virginia University, the WVU Foundation and WVU Athletics. A longtime advocate for higher education and community development, he previously served as chair of the Fairmont State Foundation and has contributed to numerous civic and nonprofit organizations across North Central West Virginia.
“This incoming class brings a wealth of talent, insight and community connection to the board,” said Taylor Downs, chair of the Fairmont State Foundation board of directors. “Each of these individuals has demonstrated a strong commitment to service and leadership throughout their careers, whether in business, healthcare, finance, or community development. Their expertise, combined with their passion for creating opportunities in our region, will be invaluable as we continue advancing the Foundation’s mission and supporting Fairmont State University students for generations to come. This year’s results demonstrate what is possible when people invest in the future of Fairmont State. Our donors continue to invest in students, faculty and programs because they understand the difference this University makes in our region. On behalf of the board, I’m grateful for that generosity, for the leadership of Marissa Mauro, and for the Foundation team whose dedication helps turn philanthropic support into meaningful opportunities for our students.”
