All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Fairmont State advisor selected as Outstanding Advisor by NACADA

Fairmont State University’s Amie Fazalare, Director of Legacy Engagement/Academic Success Coordinator, was selected as an Outstanding New Advisor Certificate of Merit recipient as part of the 2020 Global Awards Program for Academic Advising from NACADA: The Global Academic Advising. This award is presented to advisors who have demonstrated qualities associated with outstanding academic advising of students and who have served as a professional advisor for three or fewer years.

Fazalare, a Fairmont State alumna and first-generation student, was honored when she was told she was being nominated for the award. After reading the support letters submitted by students and colleagues, she was humbled. 

“I have a passion for Fairmont State and the students, I want every student to have the same experience I had because I loved my time as a student,” she said. “I treat them as if they were my own child or family member because we are now a family and they look to us for guidance.” 

Students are looking for more than academic advising, Fazalare noted, and it means a lot when a student comes to her with a question unrelated to advising. 

“I love working with students and being in advising has been a nice transition from recruiting where I talked to students about coming to Fairmont State,” she said. “That background has really helped me because I knew about our program areas and transitioning from high school to college and the needs of non-traditional students.”

Jennifer Jones, Director of the Advising Center, nominated Fazalare for the award. A lot of effective academic advising is unseen, she said, from emails answered after hours attending a variety of events, and even a hug before a test or presentation. 

“Amie exemplifies the definition of an outstanding academic advisor. She works tirelessly to advocate for and help any student who reaches out to her,” she said. “She is caring and compassionate, while still being able to have the “mom” talk with the students that need a reminder of expectations, with the hope of motivating them to take their studies seriously so they can excel.”

Fazalare is able to quickly build relationships with her students and encourages them through their time at the University, Jones said. She takes pride in her work and seeks to provide the most current, correct information as possible. 

“It’s no surprise to me that Amie was honored as an outstanding advisor,” Mirta M. Martin, president of Fairmont State University, said. “When Amie says that she treats students as if they were her own family, she embodies the very spirit of the Falcon Family. We don’t use that word, ‘family,’ lightly – we understand the trust that students and their families place in Fairmont State, and, like Amie, we each strive to go the extra mile for our students, just as if they were our own children.”

This is a prestigious, global, annual award and is highly competitive. The award nomination process is rigorous. The nominee is required to prepare an updated resume and job description, as well as writing a formal Advising Philosophy. The nominee is allowed to submit two files for consideration. The first file is a nomination letter from the nominator that includes excerpts and evidence from the second file as well as the materials drafted by the nominee. The second file can be a total of 50 pages (not one page more) and can contain additional recommendation letters, samples of work, and copies of thank you cards and emails from students.

Since 1983, NACADA has honored individuals and institutions making significant contributions to the improvement of academic advising.  Our goal is to promote quality academic advising and professional development of members to enhance the educational development of students.  

NACADA’s membership has grown to over 14,000 faculty, professional advisors, administrators, counselors, and others in academic and student affairs concerned with the intellectual, personal, and vocational needs of students.  In addition, NACADA is the representative and advocate for academic advising and for those providing that service to higher education.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Upshur County Commission partners with development authority, eyes $550k in grants for proposed rec hub

The Upshur County Commission partnered with the Development Authority and authorized applications for $550,000 in grants, as well as a joint property transfer, to support construction of the proposed John C. Allen Regional Hub recreation complex.

High Point Construction takes over lead in men’s golf league

High Point Construction took the top spot in the Buckhannon Country Club Bob Cupp Memorial Golf League after defeating Sam’s Pizza, while Highland Landscaping and Feola’s Flowers tied for second place.

Task force arrests three for selling Delta 8 to people under age 21, issues four additional warrants

After a year-long investigation, the Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force arrested multiple individuals and issued warrants in Upshur County for allegedly selling Delta 8 THC products to individuals under 21.

ATV crash kills 65-year-old woman in Upshur County

Patricia L. Campbell, 65, of Ohio, died after being ejected from an ATV rollover crash in Upshur County on July 4; the investigation continues.

Willard Hampton Rice, Jr.

Willard Hampton Rice, Jr., 84, of Sandusky, a retired Ford Motor Company employee who enjoyed hunting and spending time with family, passed away July 3 and is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for July 2, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local organizations plan events and clinics — including a big July 4th celebration — and several community initiatives aim to engage residents of all ages.

Emergency agencies stress need for coordinated incident plans during large events with road closures

Emergency officials emphasized the need for incident action plans and coordination with public safety agencies for large events that close major streets, citing upcoming car shows and other street-closure events to ensure fast, safe emergency responses.
BUHS Sports

B-U now in Class AAAA in all sports; moved to new South Region after WVSSAC restructuring

Buckhannon-Upshur High School will compete in Class AAAA — the highest division — for all sports and has been moved to the new South Region under a two-year realignment by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

Stockert Youth and Community Center Board Meeting Agenda: July 3, 2025

The Stockert Youth and Community Center Board will meet July 3, 2025, with an agenda set to discuss organizational matters and upcoming events.