Special Programming

The B.B. Maurer WV Folklife Scholar Award annually honors a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the preservation and perpetuation of our Appalachian cultural heritage. This award is named for Dr. B.B. Maurer (1920 - 2003), considered the “Father of Cultural Studies in West Virginia.”

The Traditions Salute Award recognizes passion and commitment towards the enhancement of West Virginia folk culture through education and public resources.

The Gabor WV Folklife Center Achievement Award is a special recognition award in an area of folklore studies.

Public lectures, presentations, performances, concerts, demonstrations, workshops

Tours and programs at the Folklife Center for community and school groups, by arrangement

Summer Teacher Institutes in partnership with the West Virginia Humanities Council

Folk Festivals, Summer Celebrations, and Events

Study Abroad Travel Programs, such as Roads to Appalachia through Scotland and Ireland; Italy; England and Wales; Eastern Europe; Germanic Roots.

Frasure-Singleton Student Legislative Program

The Frasure-Singleton Student Legislative Program provides students the opportunity to observe the West Virginia Legislature for one week during its regular legislative session. Participants are assigned to a legislator who assists in explaining the legislative process. They attend committee meetings and public hearings where legislation and issues are discussed. They sit on the Floor during daily sessions, surrounded by legislators with issue research, constituent requests and other legislative tasks. In addition, participants meet with representatives from all branches of state government, lobbyists, reporters, and legislative staffers.

The program is open to full-time college sophomores, juniors, and seniors from all fields of study. Applicants must be in good academic standing and have successfully completed at least one Political Science course. Participants will earn one semester hour of credit.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Bill Harrison
HB 128A / (304) 367-4163
wharrison@fairmontstate.edu

Herndon Legislative Fellows Program

The primary goal of this program is to instruct selected full-time undergraduates in the theory and operation of legislative bodies in multi-dimensional roles. Participants will be designated as legislative interns and will perform assignments in the West Virginia Legislature for the duration of its session. They will spend a full semester in the study of the operation, role, and functions of legislative bodies.

To be eligible for this program, students must have completed a minimum of 60 undergraduate semester hours or equivalent, with a grade point average sufficient to admit them to the degree program of their choice. At the time of application, students must be enrolled at their home institutions on a full-time basis and cannot be on academic or social probation. Students may not serve as interns if they are subsequently placed on academic or social probation for the period which would include the internship. Each applicant must have taken at least one college course in political science unless, in the judgment of the selection committee, the student’s record displays an active and sustained interest in public affairs or the political process, at which time the course requirement may be waived.

For additional information, contact:
Dr. Bill Harrison
HB 128A / (304) 367-4163
wharrison@fairmonstate.edu

Honors Program

J. Robert Baker, Director
231 Turley Center / (304) 367-4197 or (304) 367-4260
JRobert.Baker@fairmontstate.edu

Fairmont State’s Honors Program identifies and encourages highly motivated, academically superior students. Working within a curriculum that promotes engagement and participation, these students enroll in Honors sections of general studies classes. The faculty teaching these Honors sections are among the best the University has to offer. Honors sections are designated in the published schedule of courses each semester and noted on students’ transcripts. Honors courses vary according to the program of study each student designs. Generally, however, students take two Honors courses each semester during their first two years at Fairmont State. During their senior year, students complete six hours for a senior project linked to their majors. This project allows students to apply their developing intellectual skills in independent research, internships, and creative projects; it is designed also to help prepare students for graduate study or employment.

The Honors Program encourages students to work closely with other Honors students and the Honors faculty to explore ideas from various perspectives. Beyond the curriculum, Honors students participate in field trips, lectures, and cultural events.

Honors students may apply to live in the Honors Residence in Prichard Hall, which offers a supportive community in which students can study and enjoy co-curricular activities with like-minded students.

Leadership Certification

Fairmont State provides students with the opportunity to develop their leadership abilities, regardless of their academic major or minor. Leadership Certification is an interdisciplinary humanities program based in the liberal arts and grounded in theory and practical experience. It is designed to enhance a student’s college career by linking leadership to self-awareness, personal growth, organizational theory and practical experience in community service.

For more information on Leadership Certification contact:

J. Robert Baker
320 Jaynes Hall/(304)367-4260
JRobert.Baker@fairmontstate.edu

Pre-Professional and Pre-Program Studies

Pre-professional and pre-program studies are not academic majors; rather, they are designed to prepare students to apply to a program or school that awards a specific degree. Two distinct types of preparatory studies exist at Fairmont State.

1. Pre-program studies prepare students to apply to a competitive undergraduate degree program, either at Fairmont State or at a different institution. Before a student is accepted into the nursing program, for example, he or she will be assigned a pre-nursing advisor and will have no official major. Pre-program status exists for both two-year and four-year programs.
   Pre-program studies for which a degree program exists at Fairmont State include pre-education and pre-nursing.
2. Pre-professional studies prepare students to apply to professional schools at another institution after they have completed specific undergraduate coursework at Fairmont State. Professional schools include medical, dental, engineering, pharmacy, physical therapy, veterinary or law school. Admission to professional schools is highly competitive and often requires successful completion of standardized tests and other special requirements. All students who plan to apply to professional schools are asked to declare an academic major and pursue a 4-year degree at Fairmont State while completing the coursework specified by the professional school they desire to attend. Students who indicate an interest in pre-professional study will be given an advisor in the major area and an advisor specific to the pre-professional study they plan to pursue. Students should also carefully consult the catalog admission requirements of the professional school that they plan to attend.

Pre-professional studies for which a degree program exists at other institutions, but for which a student can prepare while at Fairmont State, include pre-dental, pre-engineering, pre-medical, prepharmacy, pre-physical therapy, pre-journalism, and pre-law.

Please refer to the College of Science and Technology for:

Please refer to the College of Liberal Arts for:

PRE-JOURNALISM CURRICULUM
Pre-Law Studies  

Please refer to the Department of Health and Human Performance Exercise Science Program  for professional school preparation for:

• PHYSICAL THERAPY
• OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
• PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT
• CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE

Public Affairs Internships

The Political Science Department regularly becomes aware of internship opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels of government. These internships can be with members of the state House of Delegates and Senate, the United States Congress, city managers, public interest groups, or state and federal agencies. Internships can take place during the semester or during the summer months. While most of the internships do not include a salary, academic credit can be earned.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Bill Harrison
HB 128A / (304) 367-4163
wharrison@fairmontstate.edu