Fairmont State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) is holding its 2026 elections. Following a campaign period from March 16 to March 29, voting will take place from March 30 to April 3.
Nine candidates are running for positions in the university’s Student Government Association, not including three individuals running for the Board of Governors Student Representative.
Sophie Stuart, one of the candidates for SGA President and current President, is a rising senior at Fairmont State University. She joined SGA in Fall 2023 during her freshman year. Stuart contributed to multiple projects during her time in Student Government, including Yee Haw See Y’all, Aloha Hello, Christmas with a Falcon, and more. As the 2025-2026 President, she also helped start the Summer Storage program, which allowed students to store their campus belongings instead of moving them back home.
“I’m running again just to make sure that every student at Fairmont State feels that their voice is heard, and they feel that they have an opinion, no matter who they are or where they come from. Whether that’s undergraduates, commuters, or even grad students,” Stuart said. “They’re all students here, and the Student Government’s job is to ensure that student life and campus life is enhanced.”
Some of her plans, if she is reelected, include continuing the traditions she created, like Yee-Haw, See Y’all, as well as strengthening existing Student Government traditions. One of her other plans addresses an issue on campus that she has noticed.
“I think sometimes on the weekend, even if it’s really nice outside, you walk around, and the campus is just kind of quiet,” Stuart said. “ I would like to see [more areas] around campus for students to hang out that are constantly there. So maybe not planned events, but something like a fire pit or a sand volleyball court or just something as simple as laying out cornhole boards- so set areas that students can go out and use without having a planned event to go to.”
(courtesy photo)
Stuart is also involved on campus outside of SGA. She makes a lot of her connections to students through campus ministries, including Fairmont State University’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Baptist Campus Ministries.
Liam Savage is one of the candidates running for the position of Vice President of the Student Government in the current election. As an upcoming junior, Savage has been a member of Fairmont State University’s Student Government Association since his freshman year in 2024. During his time in Student Government, Savage has served as senator and ran for Parliamentarian in the 2025 election last Spring.
“I’m running for SGA vice president because I believe the student government should work for every student. Through my experience in SGA, I’ve seen how important strong leadership is to improve extended life and make sure student voices are heard,” Savage said. “I’m ready to lead an organization that listens to students, delivers results, and strengthens our campus community.”
Savage has collaborated with many other members of SGA to organize events and worked with Bryson Riggleman, current Vice President, to launch the SGA Student Discount card program. This included forming relationships and contracts with local businesses in the Fairmont area to receive discounts to be utilized by Fairmont State University Students. He is also the chair of the Summer Storage Committee.
If elected vice president, Savage hopes to provide relief to students in order for them to excel academically. This includes creating programs that would provide students with academic materials, such as donated textbooks, calculators, and other necessary items. Savage also plans on trying to implement a financial relief program for students in order for them to continue pursuing their education while facing financial hardships. Another of Savage’s missions is to help SGA’s budgeting situation for Student Organizations and build stronger relationships with those organizations.
“We need to increase our club spending budget, so that instead of going over budget, like we did, we’re still under budget or at our budget, but now we just know for sure that we can provide more funding for student organizations,” Liam Savage said. “We also need to make sure that clubs should be able to feel comfortable coming to us.”
Outside of the Student Government Association, Liam Savage is the News Editor of The Columns. He ensures that students have access to the news on and around Fairmont State University. Savage also founded The Roundtable Club, a club and safe space where students of Fairmont State University can gather to discuss political issues through civil discourse.
Austin Heavner is one of the candidates running for Parliamentarian of the Student Government Association. Heavner has been a part of SGA since his freshman year in 2024. Throughout his time in SGA, he has been a part of the Rules and Bylaws Committee and Finance Committee.
Heavner is also serving as Sophomore Senator in SGA.
“The primary reason I’m running for the position of SGA parliamentarian is because, if you want me to be frankly honest, there’s a lot of the constitution that might need changed,” Heavner said. “I am still going to help out with the external things that SGA does, but my main job is to make sure the SGA holds up to their standards of the Constitution. “
If elected Parliamentarian, Austin plans on reforming the constitution to make positions, like senator, responsibilities clear. Heavner also aims to reform other aspects of the Student Government Association’s constitution as well as aid students and registered student organizations on campus.
“I also believe that with this position I can really help to make SGA, not only just more open and understandable to the students in SGA, but the students outside as well,” Heavner said.
Heavner is proud of his contribution to the community and campus outside of Student Government. As a member of the Fairmont State University band, Austin performs in the community and represents the university.
Voting for all SGA positions will close on April 3. Candidates will be sworn into office later in April.
Editor’s note: All candidates with opposition for Student Government Association offices were contacted for comment. Candidates running to represent the student body on the Fairmont State University Board of Governors were not interviewed.
