Gregory P. Noone

Charleston, W.Va. – The Faculty Merit Foundation announced the winner of its 2012 Professor of the Year award on Tuesday, March 12. The Foundation presented the award to Gregory P. Noone, Ph.D., J.D., assistant professor of political science and law at Fairmont State University, during a banquet held in the Great Hall of the Culture Center in Charleston on Tuesday evening. Kenneth H. Yount, Ph.D., a political science and history professor at Alderson-Broaddus College, was first runner-up.

The Faculty Merit Foundation of West Virginia has named Dr. Gregory P. Noone of Fairmont State University as first runner-up for the 2011 Professor of the Year award. Each year the Foundation honors an outstanding faculty member at a West Virginia college or university.

Fairmont State University senior Alicia Nieman received a $2,500 study abroad scholarship from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. Nieman is the first Fairmont State University student in recent history to receive the scholarship and spent five weeks this summer in South Africa.

On a warm day in early June, Fairmont State senior, Alicia Nieman and I meet at a local lunch spot. To most people we may look like colleagues or friends who are taking some time to reconnect. In actuality I am stealing a few moments of her time to witness her crossroad moment and to share it with you.

A lecture and workshop series at Fairmont State University this spring will promote discussion about the social justice issues of civil liberties and universal human rights for prisoners during times of war. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has awarded FSU a $5,700 grant to help fund the events, which are planned for March 2010.