Michael Edmond, MD Endowed Scholarship established at Fairmont State University

A new scholarship has been established at Fairmont State University to support first-generation college students who intend to pursue a medical school education after graduating from Fairmont State University. The scholarship was established by Dr. Michael Edmond to help pay it forward, intending to help students who come from backgrounds like his pursue success like his.

According to an article on Fairmont State University’s website, Edmond is quoted as saying of his desire to establish the scholarship, “I have been very fortunate to have a career in medicine that has given me many opportunities, all due to the quality of my education at Fairmont State and the WVU School of Medicine. I'm enormously grateful for that, and funding a scholarship is a way for me to pay it forward. As a first-generation college student from Marion County, I wanted to create a scholarship for someone like me. The student body at Fairmont State has always had a high proportion of first-generation students. So, the scholarship is for a first-generation student from Marion County who wants to pursue a career in medicine. First-generation college students face a number of challenges, and my hope for both scholarships is to make the recipients’ paths a bit easier.”

Edmond also set up a companion scholarship at the West Virginia University School of Medicine for students who graduate from Fairmont State University.

Edmond’s education began in Marion County, West Virginia, where he attended high school. He earned an undergraduate degree from Fairmont State University, and then attended West Virginia University School of Medicine and completed his residency there. After working in several medical settings, Edmond is now the Chief Medical Officer for the West Virginia University Health System.

Mike Davis, the president of Fairmont State University, said, “Dr. Edmond’s gift is the perfect intersection of giving and institutional vision. Fairmont State is a Great Place to Learn, and we work every day to uphold that promise. As a first-generation student from this area, Dr. Edmond understands and appreciates how hard we work to provide transformative educational experiences. The scholarship he has endowed will inspire the next generation of home-grown talent.”

Marissa Mauro, who serves as the Director of Development at the Fairmont State Foundation, echoed these sentiments, saying, “Gifts like Dr. Edmond’s are transformational, not only for the students who receive the scholarship but for the entire university community. They show what is possible when alumni invest in the next generation. We are deeply grateful for his vision and generosity, and we look forward to seeing the lives that will be changed because of this gift.”

For more information about Fairmont State University, visit the school’s website.