The Feaster Center will host Fairmont State University’s Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 9.
“Commencement is one of the best days of the year at Fairmont State because it reminds us why we do this work,” President Mike Davis said. “It is a day to celebrate our graduates’ hard work, the people who supported them along the way, and the bright futures they are now stepping into. Each graduate has a story of persistence, growth, and accomplishment, and we are incredibly proud to recognize this important milestone with them and their families. We are also honored to welcome Dr. Christina Lavorata and Ronda Colanero as our commencement speakers. Both are outstanding examples of what it means to be a Falcon. Their lives and careers reflect a deep commitment to learning, leadership, and service, and I know their words will offer our graduates a meaningful perspective as they begin this next chapter.”
The first ceremony begins at 10 a.m., honoring graduates from the College of Business & Aviation, the College of Liberal Arts and the Regents Bachelor of Arts program. Dr. Christina Lavorata, provost emeritus, will be the keynote speaker.
Lavorata is a 1970 graduate of Fairmont State with a degree in elementary education. She also holds a master’s degree and a doctorate from West Virginia University. Lavorata taught in Marion County schools from 1971 through 1998 before joining the faculty in the Education Department at Fairmont State. In 2004, she transitioned from teaching to administrative roles, serving first as associate provost and ultimately as provost of Fairmont State until her retirement in 2018.
The afternoon ceremony begins at 2 p.m. and will celebrate the College of Education, Health & Human Performance, the College of Nursing and the College of Science & Technology. Ronda Bilotta Colanero, a lifelong Falcon supporter, alumna and education expert, will address the graduates.
Colanero is a 1972 cum laude graduate of Fairmont State College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She began her career teaching in Marion County for two years before a 35-year career with the Department of Health and Human Resources. Before her retirement, she served as a regional director, overseeing 15 counties and more than 500 employees.
Tickets are not required for the ceremonies, but seating is limited. Guests attending commencement should enter and exit the Feaster Center through the top floor. Graduates will enter on the first floor and exit on the second floor, where they will reunite with family and friends after the ceremony.
Graduates should arrive at least 45 minutes before the start of their ceremony. A temporary traffic pattern will be in place on commencement day, and all traffic must enter campus via the Squibb Wilson Boulevard entrance. Shuttle service will begin one hour before each ceremony.
The ceremonies will also be livestreamed on Fairmont State’s website. Full commencement details are available on the university registrar’s page.
