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

One Day, One Goal, One Falcon Family: Inaugural Day of Giving to be held Nov. 7

Fairmont State University and the Fairmont State Foundation have teamed up for the inaugural Falcon Day of Giving November 7 – one day to raise $250,000 to support scholarships, academic units, and athletics.

Donors from throughout the region have provided more than $100,000 in matches and challenges to encourage people to give online or through the lunch-time drive-through at the Fairmont State Foundation.

The giving day will kick off at midnight on Nov. 7 and end at 11:59 p.m. All gifts that are made in that time period will be counted toward the Falcon Day of Giving goal of $250,000.

To heat up the competition, matches and challenges will encourage givers to log on to falconsgive.fsufoundation.org. They will also provide academic and athletic programs a chance to double or triple their giving on that day.

“By logging on to the website now, you can create a strategy for ensuring that your favorite program or sport gets as many matches and challenges as possible to increase the amount of money they will receive on November 7,” Fairmont State Foundation President Julie R. Cryser said. “But you won’t be able to capture these opportunities without logging on that day and giving or stopping by our lunch-time drive-through.”

Global matches are available for both academics and athletics, as well as a lunch-time challenge that will offer $1,000 to the academic unit with the most donations between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Matches and challenges include:

The Mike Ross Family Foundation General Scholarship Match, which will match scholarship gifts dollar for dollar up to a total of $10,000.


The Dr. Mirta M. Martin Students for Scholarships Challenge, which will unlock a $1,000 gift for scholarships if 40 students donate on Nov. 7.


The Huntington Bank Athletic Scholarship Match, which will match donations to athletic scholarships dollar for dollar up to $10,000.


The Fighting Falcon Athletic Match, an anonymous gift to match any gifts made to any athletic program up to $7,500.


The Tom and Lori Kliethermes Global Academic Matching Gift, which will match any funds given to any academic program dollar for dollar up to $10,000.


The Dr. Mirta M. Martin Marching Band Challenge will provide a dollar for dollar match up to $1,000 donated to the marching band for new instruments.
An anonymous Overall Academic Match will provide dollar for dollar matching funds to any academic unit or program up to $12,500.


The William and Lois Muto Laughlin Academic Matches will provide $2,000 for each academic unit for a total gift of $10,000 to match gifts made to the units.
The Gary K. and Barbara J. Bennett School of Business match will provide a dollar for dollar contribution of up to $5,000 to the school.


Nick Oliveto has provided a $2,000 match for the National Security & Intelligence program.
The Mike Ross Family Foundation will match Athletic Scholarship gifts dollar for dollar up to $10,000.


The Dr. Mirta M. & John Martin Baseball Matching Gift will provide a $500 matching gift.
The Lady Falcons Basketball Matching Gift, through an anonymous donor, will provide $2,500 in dollar for dollar matches.
The Michael Adams and Kristen Correnti Faett Football Matching Gift will unlock $10,000 if the football program receives $10,000 in gifts.


The Wrestling Program Matching Gift, made anonymously, will unlock $2,500 in dollar for dollar matches.
The Foundation President’s Lunch Time Rush Challenge will provide $1,000 to the academic unit that has the greatest number of donations between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.


The Fairmont State Foundation Board Chairman’s Challenge will provide up to $5,000 if it is matched by Fairmont State Foundation board members.
The Westside Market Instagram Challenge will unlock $7,500 if 30 people provide Instagram posts from the market on the Day of Giving.

For those who would like a quick lunch and to swipe their credit card to donate, donors can drive through in the front of the 1300 Locust Ave. Fairmont State Alumni Center building between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Those who choose to give at the alumni center will receive a Country Club Bakery pepperoni roll, donated by the local bakery, and a bag of chips. Participants can also get a picture with Freddie the Falcon, who will be on hand.

“We want to make this a fun, memorable day with a purpose — One Day, One Goal, One Falcon Family – to raise $250,000 in one day and show the region that we are Falcon Strong,” Cryser said. “We would encourage you to make a donation and help us unlock all of our matches and challenges.”

Donors can go to falconsgive.fsudoundation.org to make their donation. You can also help spread the word on social media platforms by becoming a social media ambassador. To sign up as a social media ambassador visit www.fsufoundation.org/news/2019/ambassador.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Two Buckhannon residents arrested for receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle

A Buckhannon man and woman were arrested after a license plate reader pinged a truck that had been reported stolen out of Harrison County.

Weyerhaeuser launches community survey for $1 million THRIVE program in Buckhannon

Upshur County residents can now share their ideas for how Weyerhaeuser could best invest $1 million in the community through a new online survey.

Kenneth Robert Winnings Jr.

Kenneth Robert Winnings Jr., a devoted son, brother, father and friend, US Army veteran and 5th-degree black belt who worked as a highway contractor, died peacefully Nov. 15, 2025, and will be cremated.

Carolyn Ann Johnston

Carolyn Ann Johnston, 82, of Buckhannon, WV, a devoted wife, grandmother, seamstress and member of Christian Fellowship Church, died November 17, 2025; visitation and memorial will be held November 22 with donations requested to Ellamore VFD.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: November 20, 2025

The Upshur County Commission will hold a meeting on November 20, 2025, with an agenda outlining items for discussion and action.

Deputy to be stationed at Hodgesville Elementary School after man charged with terroristic threats released on home confinement

The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office will place a full-time deputy at Hodgesville Elementary School until January 2026 after a Buckhannon man charged with threatening to shoot students was released on GPS home confinement following a guilty plea.

Upshur County Board of Education Special Meeting Agenda: November 20, 2025

The Upshur County Board of Education will hold a special meeting on November 20, 2025; this notice publishes the agenda for that session.

Thomas (Tommy) “Hero” Leonard Haun

Thomas “Tommy” Leonard Haun, 52, of Weston, a devoted husband, father, DOT and trucking employee and avid motorcyclist known for his work ethic and love of family, died November 15, 2025, with a Celebration of Life to follow.

Bonnie’s Bus to offer mammograms in Dawes, Rock Cave, Salem, Fairmont and Elkins

Bonnie’s Bus mobile mammography unit will visit five West Virginia locations in December, offering 3D digital screening mammograms to women. Appointments are required at each location.