Capito and Manchin support Fairmont State with nearly $7 million in federal funding

A local university has received nearly $7 million in federal funding to support improvements to programs and campus facilities.

Fairmont State University has received the funding through the offices of United States Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin.

More than $3 million in funding will support the relocation and expansion of the College of Nursing’s Simulation Center. The Nursing Simulation Center will be moved from its current location in Colebank Hall to the Education Building, where the rest of the program is housed, officials said. The first floor of the Education Building will be renovated to accommodate the expanded Simulation Center, and equipment will be updated.

With the vacancy rate of licensed professional nurses reaching 20%, Fairmont State said they aim for this funding to support the future of West Virginia’s healthcare by providing nursing students with top-grade education and filling a critical workforce need.

An additional $2.1 million will help renovate the Ruth Ann Musick Library to create a centralized “learning commons” on campus to meet the needs of current and future students. Initially, this will involve working with an architect and engineering firm to redesign and reprogram the space to be more functional, attractive to students, and energy efficient, officials said.

Finally, $1.7 million will be used to upgrade the campus security system, which includes enhancements to the card access systems of interior and exterior doors in residence halls and the Engineering Technology Building. Shifting to exclusively card access will reduce accidental lockouts and security breaches associated with traditional keyed entry, officials said.

University officials said the funding will have a tremendous impact on campus allowing students with the learning environment they need to achieve excellence.

“We are grateful to Senators Capito and Manchin for their long-standing support of Fairmont State,” said University President Dr. Mike Davis. “This federal funding will support investments that help make Fairmont State University a truly ‘Great Place to Learn, to Work, and to Call Home’.”