Fahrner graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1996 and completed his Master of Business Administration degree at West Virginia Wesleyan College in 2002.

He was presented the award during the Spring Sing event in Wesley Chapel.

The criterion used for the award is to recognize young alumni who have graduated from Wesleyan within the past 10 years who have rendered outstanding service to the College through:

1. Recruiting of students.
2. Working with the College on special projects to include career contacts, representing the College at special events, working with the alumni chapters, etc.
3. Being instrumental in assisting the college in fund-raising and building of relationships with other alumni and friends.
4. Other significant contributions to the welfare and development of the College.

Fahrner was associated professionally with West Virginia Wesleyan College for five years, serving in several positions. He was a college advancement associate, an assistant director of development, and a director of alumni relations. He performed various admission functions, fundraising initiatives, marketing and communication tasks, public relations, and alumni relations.

He has been a member of the Delta Gamma Chapter of Theta Chi fraternity’s alumni board at West Virginia Wesleyan College since 1996 and is currently serving as vice president.

“Bill is a good representative of what Wesleyan is all about,” states Advancement Associate Kent Carpenter. “He runs his life with an appropriate value and priority system and works with energy and purpose. He understands the human equation and consequently is an effective leader.”

Fahrner is now a senior consultant of Performa, a major comprehensive higher education consulting firm located in Depere, Wisconsin. Performa is committed to assisting organizations and institutions as they create high performance environments but specializes in small private church-related colleges and universities. He works for the southeastern division of Performa in Burlington, N.C. His areas of expertise are in strategic planning, appreciative inquiry, and leadership development. He is currently consulting at colleges in Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maryland and also works with several North Carolina companies and organizations in that same capacity.

He volunteers his time in several capacities, including Big Brother for the United Way, Read Aloud, Vision for Leadership, chamber ambassador, and leader for a new young adult ministry in Burlington, N.C.

Bill joined Performa in September of 2002 to carry out his vision of providing comprehensive consulting services to independent colleges in a partnership based on trust and efficiency.

“Bill is an outstanding example of our Wesleyan graduates,” remarks Director of Alumni Relations Tim Channell. “His work in developing strong relationships between Wesleyan alumni and friends and the College has been achieved through his one-to-one, personable, and friendly contact. Bill has helped to create a vision and built a solid foundation for the future of our alumni and their ability to serve and give back to this wonderful institution.”