Talent Transplant: Dr. Mirta Martin

It was a long, complex and at times risky journey that brought Dr. Mirta Martin to West Virginia in January 2018 to serve as president of Fairmont State University. Born in Havana, Cuba, during the communist regime led by Fidel Castro, Martin was 6 years old when she, her grandmother and her sister were given permission by the Cuban government to go to Spain. The move separated them from the rest of their family for decades.

Built by Industry, Transformed by Innovation

Throughout its 250-year history, the city of Wheeling has been many things, including the first capital of the Mountain State and an industrial giant for industries such as steel, iron and glasswork. While its population and economy suffered for a number of years as factories began closing their doors, a recent resurgence has brought with it an influx of new businesses, young families and advocacy efforts to honor the city’s historic landscape.