Fairmont State University will honor the Fall 2025 graduating class during commencement on Saturday, Dec. 13 in the Feaster Center. The morning ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and will recognize graduates from the College of Business & Aviation, the College of Liberal Arts and the Regents Bachelor of Arts program. The afternoon ceremony, scheduled for 2 p.m., will honor graduates from the College of Education, Health and Human Performance, the College of Nursing and the College of Science & Technology.

“Commencement is one of my favorite moments of the year because it reminds us just how much heart, determination, and resilience our students have shown on their journey,” said Fairmont State President Mike Davis. “As we celebrate the Fall 2025 graduating class, we’re also celebrating the families, friends, faculty, and staff who stood beside them every step of the way. I couldn’t be more proud of our graduates, and I have no doubt they’ll continue to lead with purpose and make a real difference in their communities and in the world.”

Mitch Moore and Gia Deasy will provide this semester’s keynote addresses.

Moore, a 2016 Fairmont State University accounting and business administration graduate, will deliver the keynote address at the morning ceremony. During his time at Fairmont State, Moore served two terms as Student Government president and is a fourth-generation alumnus, following in the footsteps of his mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

After earning his undergraduate degrees, Moore attended West Virginia University’s College of Law, where he graduated first in his class and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. He currently practices law with Steptoe & Johnson PLLC and continues to serve Fairmont State as a member of the executive committee of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Moore also holds leadership roles as secretary of the Young Lawyers’ Section of the West Virginia State Bar and chairman of the Monongalia County Deputy Sheriff’s Civil Service Commission.

Deasy will deliver the keynote address at the afternoon commencement ceremony. She recently retired from Marion County Schools, where she served as special education director and assistant to the superintendent for special programs.

With over four decades of experience in special education, Deasy has worked extensively in classrooms and teacher training programs across West Virginia. This includes nine years with a federal grant focused on preparing special educators to support the social and emotional needs of students with disabilities. Currently, she teaches as an adjunct faculty member in Fairmont State’s education department, contracts with school districts statewide and serves as an Individualized Education Program facilitator for the West Virginia Department of Education.

Deasy holds a bachelor’s degree from Fairmont State University and a master’s degree from West Virginia University. She serves on boards for the Disability Action Center and the Family Resource Network. She has previously served on the City of Fairmont’s Human Rights Commission and City Council. This year she received several awards and honors, including the Alumna of Achievement from Fairmont State University, Educator of the Year from the Marion County Chamber of Commerce and the Volunteer of the Year award from Marion County Special Olympics. She also accepted a nomination to join the Fairmont State University Foundation Board.

Tickets are not required to attend the ceremonies, but seating is limited. Guests are encouraged to plan their travel and book accommodations early, as other events in the area may impact availability. Graduates should arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the start of their scheduled ceremony.

A temporary traffic pattern will be in place on commencement day. All vehicles must enter campus via the Squibb Wilson Boulevard entrance. Staff from the Department of Public Safety and the Physical Plant will be on-site to assist with traffic flow and parking.

Public Safety officers and parking attendants will be available throughout campus to provide directions and answer questions. Shuttle service will begin one hour before each ceremony to transport guests to the Feaster Center.

Graduates, guests and community members should be prepared for changes to traffic and parking both on campus and in the surrounding areas. With multiple ceremonies taking place, Fairmont State University appreciates everyone’s patience and cooperation. Carpooling is strongly encouraged to help reduce congestion.

A professional photographer will be available during the ceremony to capture photos of each graduate. After the event, graduates will receive an email at their Fairmont State address with instructions for viewing and purchasing their images. This process may take several days, as each photo undergoes a quality review before being released.