Be An Academic Rock Star at GHA, June 25-July 15

Are you a high-achieving, motivated junior? Do you excel in classes at your high school and/or technical school? Plan to spend three weeks at the Governor’s Honors Academy at Fairmont State University in 2022. Since 1984, GHA has provided lifelong memories for the rising seniors selected to attend. Why apply? It’s quite simple.

GHA...

Increases self-confidence;

Polishes thinking skills;

Increases awareness of need to serve;

Diminishes fear of the unknown;

Builds statewide network of kids like you who “get it”;

Makes you aware of scholarship opportunities;

Creates memories that last a lifetime;

It’s FUN and it is FREE.

For 38 years, the West Virginia Governor's Honors Academy has provided rising high school seniors the opportunity to spend three weeks on a college campus where they meet some of the greatest kids in West Virginia and work with master teachers in their fields of greatest interest. Each county selects one male and one female student to attend, and 60-70 more students are selected from a statewide pool of applicants. Fifteen of these spots are reserved for career/technology secondary students via a grant from the department of career and technology. Students at GHA will take one intensive course in their academic field of interest and one broad-based courses outside their experience area. They may also take virtual college tours and become involved and take part in community service effort

Fairmont State to Host Academy in 2022; President is Elated to Welcome Students

Beginning in 2022, GHA will be held on the vibrant campus of Fairmont State University (FSU). FSU President Dr. Mirta Martin, shown with Freddie the Falcon (below)), is excited about hosting the Governor's Honors Academy for the next three summers. She and her staff share the following welcome.

'Our safe, hilltop campus is the perfect place for young scholars to dip their toes into the college living experience. Fairmont State’s compact, cozy campus is completely enclosed, and is a ‘just right’ size for young scholars: Walking time from the residence halls to any classroom or activity is less than ten minutes; yet our campus is large enough for students to wander around, explore our trails, and truly experience first-hand what living on a college campus is all about. When these young students reside at Fairmont State during the Governor’s Honors Academy, and as they interact with the Falcon family, making their way from event to event, they’ll quickly discover why more and more students and families call Fairmont State “home.”

Even more important to the development of these high achieving students are our people, the amazing staff, and the teacher-mentors who will be teaching these rising scholars. Fairmont State University is blessed with faculty who are not only experts in their fields, but they live (and love) to teach. And of course, we look forward to welcoming faculty from all over the state to our home, Fairmont State. Through interaction with these teacher-mentors, students participating in the GHA will explore their areas of interest, discover new passions, and most importantly, ignite their curiosity and love for learning. Whether these students are interested in STEM fields, the humanities, social sciences, or the arts, they will develop a stronger sense of themselves as independent thinkers and social beings.'

The World We Will Inherit

The theme Fairmont State has chosen for this GHA term is The World We Will Inherit. The students who will participate in the Academy are high-achieving scholars who are facing uncertainties and new challenges. And as tomorrow’s citizen leaders, they also face new responsibilities and opportunities. Through an exploration of this theme, and via the transformative experiences the Governors Honors Academy offers, these young future leaders will develop a richer sense of themselves, a deeper and broadened understanding of the world around them, and a stronger commitment to intellectual, artistic, and interpersonal growth

How much does it cost?

GHA is provided at no cost to students and their families is that they provide internet service where available. If there is not service in your home, check with local public buildings where your child might have a quiet workplace. If your student needs to borrow a laptop to participate, we will provide one. If there is an in-person gathering, families will be responsible for transportation to the event.

The on-site supervisors, the co-deans of the academy, are Dr. Robin Payne and Dr. John DeVault. Oversight of GHA comes from Mrs. Sherry Keffer, coordinator of Governor’s Schools, who is responsible to the West Virginia Department of Education. She will be succeeded by Dr. Ray Lowther April 1.

Take a peek at the kinds of classes offered.

The link below includes descriptions of the exhilarating classes taught in 2021. They will give a glimpse of the variety of choices available to students, so it is a great idea to look over them. You will receive notification from Fairmont State in May with directions to enroll in class.

2021 GHA Class Descriptions

2020 Class Descriptions