A first-generation college graduate from Marion County is giving back to the university that helped launch his career, establishing a $25,000 endowed scholarship at Fairmont State University to support future science and technology students.
John Norton Anderson, a 1959 graduate of Fairmont State — then known as Fairmont State College — has created the John Norton Anderson Endowed Scholarship to support graduates of North Marion High School pursuing degrees in the College of Science & Technology.
Anderson was the first in his family to graduate from high school. He enrolled at Fairmont State as a commuter student from Mannington, where he found mentors who shaped his academic and professional path.
“Without Fairmont State, I would not have had a career,” Anderson has said.
After graduating, Anderson continued his education at the University of Pittsburgh, ultimately earning a Ph.D. His career spanned roles as a polymer chemist, product developer and leader in friction materials, with professional experiences that took him around the world, including several years working in France. He later completed an executive master’s degree in business.
“Education is everything,” Anderson said. “Not just formal education but learning on the job and through experience throughout your life.”
Anderson’s total cost of attending Fairmont State was approximately $500 — an investment, he says, that yielded a lifetime of return. Now retired, he views philanthropy as an opportunity to honor those who supported him, including the neighbor whose encouragement led him to Fairmont State.
“Dr. Anderson’s generosity reflects a deep understanding of what access to education can make possible,” said Marissa Mauro, Interim President of the Fairmont State Foundation. “His investment is not only financial — it is a vote of confidence in our students and in the life-changing power of a Fairmont State education.”
Fairmont State University President Mike Davis said the scholarship reflects both the institution’s mission and Anderson’s personal story.
“Fairmont State University is a regional driver when it comes to providing accessible education, and Dr. Anderson’s story is a powerful reminder of what access to education can achieve,” Davis said. “This is more than a scholarship — it’s an opportunity for students to transform their lives.”
For more information about the Fairmont State Foundation, visit fsufoundation.org or call 304-534-8786.
