FAIRMONT, W.Va. – For one evening, the halls of Pierpont Community & Technical College became a world of pirates, hippies, bees, toy characters and monsters.
The college welcomed over 350 children and adults to its Fifth Annual Trick-or-Treat on Oct. 29, transforming the Advanced Technology Center into a festive Halloween experience created by students, faculty and staff.
Families followed a candy-filled path through themed displays representing academic programs, student organizations, college departments and community partners. A beehive, tunnel of terror, pirate treasure chest and bubble bath were just a few of the creative stops that greeted visitors throughout the evening.
“One of the things I love most about this event is seeing our campus come alive with families from across our community,” said Dr. Michael Waide, President of Pierpont. “This evening gives us an opportunity to open our doors, welcome our neighbors and create memories together. Watching our faculty, staff and students share their creativity and enthusiasm with local families is a reminder of how special this community truly is.”
That spirit of creativity and enthusiasm could be found throughout the building. The Physical Therapist Assistant program, last year’s Best Table winner, returned with an “Inside Out” themed display inspired by the popular animated film. The interactive display invited children to select a color associated with one of the film’s emotions before receiving candy through a tube, adding an extra element of surprise to the trick-or-treat experience.
Among this year’s standout tables was Academic Affairs’ Toy Story-themed display, which earned recognition as Best Table in the college’s internal competition. Members of the team stepped into the roles of Woody, Jessie, Bo Peep, Mr. Potato Head and one of the beloved green aliens from the film series. Handcrafted decorations transformed the space into scenes inspired by the movies, complete with toy soldiers, themed props and playful details that delighted children.
“The Toy Story theme gave our team an opportunity to be creative and have some fun together,” said David Beighley, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Haley (Carson) deserves a great deal of credit for coordinating the effort and bringing the display to life. The award was certainly exciting, but the best part of the evening was seeing families enjoying themselves and making memories on campus.”
The award for Best Costume went to Dr. Brad Gilbert, senior professor and director of Aviation Technology, whose groovy 1970s-inspired ensemble captured the spirit of the evening. Alongside his wife, Gilbert fully embraced the retro theme, bringing plenty of color, personality and fun to the celebration.
This year also marked the introduction of a new internal pumpkin carving and decorating contest. Juanita Nickerson, an admissions processor, earned top honors after transforming a pumpkin into a lion inspired by Pierpont mascot Monty. Nickerson crafted a detailed face and mane using added materials, creating a display that drew attention from colleagues and visitors alike.
While candy drew children through the doors, the true magic of the evening came from the people behind the displays. Faculty, staff and students traded their usual classroom and office roles for costume characters, candy distributors and storytellers, creating an atmosphere that felt equal parts community celebration and Halloween adventure.
Five years after its launch, Trick-or-Treat at Pierpont continues to showcase what makes the college unique: a campus community eager to open its doors, share its creativity and create meaningful connections beyond the classroom.
By the end of the night, candy bags were full, contests had been decided and countless photos had been taken. For many local families, another favorite Pierpont tradition was officially in the books.
Pierpont Community & Technical College provides accessible, responsive, and high‑quality education to students and businesses across North Central West Virginia. With a strong focus on career readiness and workforce development, Pierpont offers academic programs and industry‑aligned training that create clear pathways to employment. Through this work, the college helps students discover their path while supporting the region’s economic and workforce needs.
Media Contact:
Stefanie Moore, Director of Marketing and Communications
Pierpont Community & Technical College
Office of Marketing and Communications
communications@pierpont.edu