John Norton Anderson Endowed Scholarship established at Fairmont State University

Fairmont State University has a new scholarship available to science and technology students. The John Norton Anderson Endowed Scholarship was established with a $25,000 gift to support future students and to give back to the alma mater that set Anderson up for a successful career.

According to an article on Fairmont State University’s website, Fairmont State University President Mike Davis was quoted as saying of the new scholarship, “Fairmont State University is a regional driver when it comes to providing accessible education, and Dr. Anderson’s story is a powerful reminder of what access to education can achieve. This is more than a scholarship – it’s an opportunity for students to transform their lives. His generosity ensures that students who share his determination will have the same chance to begin a journey of learning and discovery. We are deeply grateful for his commitment to opening doors for future generations.”

John Norton Anderson attended Fairmont State University when it was still Fairmont State College. He was the first in his family to graduate high school and to attend college. He majored in chemistry and benefitted from the mentorship of Professor Elizabeth Swiger, who helped establish within him that success required effort. When he graduated in 1959, Anderson went on to the University of Pittsburgh to earn his PhD. He later earned a master’s degree in business. His career spanned polymer chemistry and product development and took him around the world.

Anderson said, “Without Fairmont State, I would not have had a career. Education is everything. Not just formal education but learning on the job and through experience throughout your life.”

The John Norton Anderson Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to students who graduate from North Marion High School who plan to study within Fairmont State University’s College of Science & Technology, which Anderson views as a starting point for innovation and opportunity. He hopes students who receive this scholarship will see their time at Fairmont State as a beginning.

Marissa Mauro, who serves as the Interim President of the Fairmont State Foundation, said, “Dr. Anderson’s generosity reflects a deep understanding of what access to education can make possible. His investment is not only financial – it is a vote of confidence in our students and in the life-changing power of a Fairmont State education. Because of donors like Dr. Anderson, our students are able to focus on learning, discovery, and growth, knowing that someone believes in their potential.”

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