Fairmont State Foundation

Harrison County natives Seba T. and Lucille B. Anderson are honored in the creation of a new scholarship for students at Fairmont State University. The Seba T. and Lucille B. Anderson Endowed Scholarship, a gift of $144,600 was donated on behalf of the will of Lucille Anderson.

A prominent Marion County family has donated $25,000 to create a scholarship for Fairmont State University student-athletes. The Mary Jo and Coach Rusty Elliott Endowed Athletic Scholarship is intended to retain established players to ensure they can complete their degree.

The Fairmont State Foundation has announced the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors, including Taylor Downs, John Guido and Christina Lavorata.

On Monday, July 11, Rachel Rae Dyer joined the Fairmont State Foundation as president. Dyer brings a diverse collection of professional and educational experiences to this role. She holds an MBA from West Virginia University, BS from Linfield College and a BA from Hiram College.

In addition to her educational background, Dyer has more than 20 years of experience in business and management in various industries including manufacturing, government, non-profits and construction.

Tim Liebrecht has joined the Fairmont State Foundation staff as the new Director of Development.

Liebrecht holds more than a decade of experience in development roles. In recent years, he has been actively partnering with organizations throughout north central West Virginia to promote change and growth in the region. His experience is in areas including fundraising, community and economic development.

The Fairmont State Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the organization’s 2021 philanthropy awards. Awardees will be celebrated during the Fairmont State Foundation Scholarship and Stewardship Banquet planned to take place this fall. 

The Fairmont State Foundation serves as the non-profit organization that solicits and administers private donations on behalf of Fairmont State University, and recently welcomed five new members to its Board of Directors. New Board of Directors members include Kathy Martin, K. Alex Miller, II, Chad Riley, John Wilson and Dixie Yann.

The Fairmont State Foundation is honored to welcome Gary K. Bennett’s return as president of the Fairmont State Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising arm of Fairmont State University. He brings with him decades of experience as a CPA and an outstanding educator, along with a passion for the Foundation’s mission to serve the University and the greater Fairmont community.

Tori Harper, a proud Fairmont State University alumnus who holds a bachelor’s in business administration with an emphasis in marketing, has joined the Fairmont State Foundation staff as a development officer.

Harper will be a front-line major gift fund raiser who cultivates and builds lasting relationships with donors and identifies funding opportunities that fit donor interests and desires.

The Fairmont State University School of Nursing received a $40,000 grant from the Milan Puskar Foundation to support nursing students who will provide clinics and COVID-19 health and safety kits for the homeless population in Marion and Harrison Counties.