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

Local car enthusiasts support students with gift to scholarship campaign

Fairmont State
Back Row, Left to Right: Lem Jacquez, Nick Fantasia. Front Row Left to Right: Butch Mohrman, Tom Feorene, Renee Allison (Fairmont State Foundation), David Lester, Wade Linger.

A group of car enthusiasts in the Marion County area showed their support for students at Fairmont State University recently with a $1,000 gift to Every Gift Matters – The Scholarship Campaign.

The Muscle Car Mafia has evolved in its 25 years to be a community-minded group committed to supporting worthy causes. Each year, the organization holds fundraising and promotional events and chooses one local charity or cause to support. Over the past five years, they have donated more than $15,000 to local charities.

When asked why they chose to support scholarships this year, the members said the choice was easy.  

“The available match from the Fairmont State Foundation allowed us to have double the impact with our gift,” replied Nick Fantasia. As part of the scholarship campaign, the Fairmont State Foundation agreed to match donations dollar for dollar up to a total of $250,000.

As Fairmont State alumni, the group members feel the common thread between all Falcons is the high-quality education they received and the doors that have opened for them as a result.

Group member David Lester said of his education at Fairmont State, “It allowed me to assume the position of Corporate Director of Training with Applied Industrial Technologies which is a 2.9 billion-dollar company and that was absolutely a dream.” 

The goal of the Every Gift Matters campaign is to fill the scholarship gap that currently exists. Many scholarships only provide support for two years of education.  

In order to help Fairmont State University students achieve a degree, we must be able to provide four year scholarships.

This gift was made through the Fairmont State Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of Fairmont State University.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon Academy Elementary to present “December in My Hometown” musical performance at Wesley Chapel

Buckhannon Academy Elementary will present its December in My Hometown musical at Wesley Chapel at West Virginia Wesleyan on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m., showcasing diverse songs from all grade levels after months of practice.

Beverly woman charged with drug conspiracy involving methamphetamine

A 37-year-old woman faces five to 30 years in prison after a traffic stop allegedly uncovered drugs, cash and text messages about purchasing a pound of methamphetamine.

Upshur County Schools announces Pre-K registration days for January

Upshur County Schools has announced Pre-K Registration Days at schools throughout the county in January. Parents can register their youngest learners at various locations starting Jan. 9.

Dustin Lee Young

Dustin Lee Young, 43, of Orlando, WV, a Buckhannon-Upshur High School graduate who loved the outdoors, movies and animals, died December 4, 2025; visitation and funeral will be held at Clutter Funeral and Cremation.

Robert Dale Cable

Robert Dale Cable, 90, of Buckhannon, WV, a retired oil and gas drill manager, Mason and Sand Run Baptist Church member who loved hunting and family, died December 3, 2025, and will be cremated; donations to Shriners Children Hospital or Sand Run Baptist Church.

Man arrested for DUI after February crash on Route 33 causes juvenile to suffer brain bleed

A 39-year-old man was arrested last week in relation to a February incident where he allegedly rear-ended a vehicle stopped at a red light, causing a juvenile passenger to be flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital with a brain bleed.

WVWC launches BobcAT Early Assurance Program for future athletic trainers

West Virginia Wesleyan College is offering high school students a new pathway to earn a Master of Athletic Training degree in just five years.

Buckhannon Community Theatre brings holiday magic to stage with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR

Holiday magic hits the Colonial Arts Center this weekend as Buckhannon Community Theatre presents the 60-minute, family-friendly Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR, celebrating the joy of being uniquely you.

Carpenter Crunch Time Week 15: The end is here

The new four-class setup delivered a lopsided West Virginia high school football semifinals, and Duane breaks down why as he previews this weekend’s championships. He also reacts to WVU and Marshall missing bowls and shares Week 15 picks plus a readers’ contest update.