SPRING/FALL 2020 ALUMNI AND FRIENDS MAGAZINE
UNIVERSITY
Dr. Clarence E. Lloyd Jr. Class of 1965 Leading through giving and exemplifying FSU’s motto, Res Non Verba, Deeds Not Words. FSU’s College of Health, Science, and Technology will soon be named in his honor. Dr. Lloyd’s story begins on page 16.
contents 3 From The Chancellor: Resilience Defines Us
4 Meet Our Leadership
5-7 Old White & Blue Alumni News 8 Day Of Giving Campaign
9-11 Extra! Extra!
12-13 Athletes Play To Win
14 Virtual Homecoming Giving Campaign
15 1,000 Broncos: Championships Begin With Scholarships
The FS&U Magazine is Fayetteville State University’s official publication. The FS&U Magazine is published by the Fayetteville State University’s Communications Unit. Address: 1200 Murchison Road Fayetteville, NC 28301 Phone: (910) 672-1474 Interim Chancellor Dr. Peggy Valentine
16 Cover Story: Giving By Example 21 FSU Traditions
Editor Jeffrey M. Womble Associate Vice Chancellor for Communications Project Manager Tina Raines Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications
22 Feature: Scents & Scents-Ability
28 Feature: ‘Sister, Sister!’
30 Feature: Renaissance Man 34 Accreditations
35 FSU Alums Launch Black Pretty & Paid University
36 FSU Racks Up Sap Success Stories
Fayetteville State University is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, or disability. It is the policy of Fayetteville State University to create diversity among its student body by recruiting and enrolling students without regard to race, gender, or ethnicity. Applicants of all races, gender and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for enrollment. Fayetteville State University is proud to be a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina.
38 A Trio Of Excellence
www.uncfsu.edu
42 Fayetteville State University’s 2020-2021 Coronation of Miss FSU and Mr. FSU
On the cover Dr. Clarence E. Lloyd Jr.: Making a difference for FSU. Photo by Cindy Burnham
40 The Future Is Now: eSports x 2 Comes To FSU
43 Then & Now 2
Design Mariano Santillan
The FS&U Magazine
greetings
From The Chancellor
Resilience Defines Us Dear Broncos and Friends: This has been one of the most challenging years in the history of Fayetteville State University (FSU), but thanks to the resilience of our faculty, staff, and students, we were able to end it on a high note. I cannot thank you enough for your efforts. Despite a global pandemic, we were able to carry out the work of our great University and continue the business of educating students, serving the community, and maintaining scholastic excellence. The contents of this issue of FS&U Magazine touches on much of the work that has been accomplished and continues to keep FSU at the forefront and among one of the most highly respected institutions of higher learning nationwide. The cover story features Dr. Clarence Lloyd, one of our most respected and revered alumni. Since his graduation from FSU in 1965, Dr. Lloyd has supported the university in a variety of ways, but none have been greater than his financial assistance to his alma mater. Many of you may recall from Homecoming 2019 his donation of $500,000 to his beloved FSU. In 2015, he made a $100,000 gift. For his continued support, the FSU Board of Trustees voted to name the College of Health Sciences and Technology in his honor. Congratulations to Dr. Lloyd on this well-deserved recognition! I am certain that you will enjoy learning more about this fascinating and highly regarded alumnus. Spring/Fall 2020
This issue also contains a story about FSU’s partnership with Meharry Medical College (MMC) in Nashville, Tennessee. FSU, the oldest public HBCU in North Carolina, and MMC, one of the nation’s oldest and largest historically Black academic health science centers, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in October 2020. The MOU addresses the need for providing quality medical care and skilled health-care professionals for this region of the state. Discussions about similar partnerships are underway with East Carolina University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I also had the honor of attending the coronation of our Mr. and Miss FSU. This issue contains a photo of a most special event. As you can see, even during the era of COVID-19, FSU continues to make a name for itself. I cannot begin to thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do to move this institution forward as one of the nation’s bastions of academia. Your efforts are truly appreciated. In the Bronco Spirit,
Dr. Peggy Valentine Interim Chancellor 3
introductions
Meet Our Leadership Fayetteville State University’s Board of Trustees, 2020-2021 Chairman, Stuart Augustine
Stuart Augustine, Chairman (right) Val Applewhite, Vice Chairman
Sydney Harris
John McFadyen, Secretary
Dr. Warren G. McDonald
Glenn Adams
Sherida McMullan
Dr. Richard Adams
Dr. Brandon Phillips
Jonathan Charleston
Brenda Timberlake
John Douglas English
William Warner
Stuart Augustine, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, is passionate about the pride and purpose of Fayetteville State University. “I grew up in Fayetteville and always knew that having a UNC System university in our backyard was a potential catalyst for growth for our city,” Augustine says, adding that he believes “we are just at the genesis of uniting the university to the city and surrounding communities.” “The City of Fayetteville is just now building a proverbial bridge between the city and our local UNC System university by taking advantage of an Opportunity Zone and opening the Murchison Road corridor with the addition of the new health and wellness facilities. That project, along with some of the projects on campus, will open up the world to our region and draw world-class students, future professionals, and services to enhance what has been a long road to revitalize a city and region trying to shake an old negative image and promote an exciting new future.” Mr. Augustine works as a financial advisor in Fayetteville.
Fayetteville State University’s Administration Wendell Phillips, Interim Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff Dr. Lee Brown, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Carlton Spellman, Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance Dr. Janice Haynie, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
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Arasu “Nick” Ganesan, Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Telecommunication Services Dr. Harriet F. Davis, Interim Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and Executive Director of the FSU Foundation Board Jeffery Womble, Associate Vice Chancellor for Communications
Wanda Jenkins, General Counsel Anthony Bennett, Director of Athletics Wesley Fountain, Director of Constituent & Community Relations
The FS&U Magazine
updates
Old White & Blue Alumni News Greetings Hello Broncos, I hope that each of you are safe and well during these unprecedented times. Although many of us have experienced various hardships this year, it is still a blessing to be a Bronco! The University safely remained open during the fall semester and we were able to continue teaching students. Globally, FSU is known for teaching excellence. Every day we must continue to live out our motto “Res
Greetings Bronco Nation, No matter when and how I say thank you to each and every alumnus, I know it should be more. I am aware “thank you” goes a long way. My message to you is a bold and boastful, Bronco “Thank You.” Here are some of the many reasons I say those two words. You increased alumni giving from 3% to 6%. I thank you. Alumni supported the recent Day of Giving that allowed the university to exceed the $150,000 goal during that giving period. I thank you. Some of you have continued your membership with the association for possibly more years than you can remember. I thank you. A roaring thank you is extended to not only our current Life Members, but to our recent Life Members as well. As the university continues to meet the needs of its students, the alumni, the community and this region, we play an important role in that process. Freshman enrollment for this current school year is up. You played a part in making that happen. As alumni, we are aspirational examples for many young adults. This is an invaluable recruiting tool. Graduate enrollment is up and some of you are students once again at our alma mater. This demonstrates that FSU provides for and paves the way for Fayetteville State University is an
Spring/Fall 2020
Non Verba” Deeds not Words. I am overwhelmed by the support that I have received during my appointment as Interim Director of Alumni Affairs. FSU has been a part of my life since infancy and it has been an honor to serve the University in this capacity. Your support and financial commitment to our great alma mater will sustain FSU for years to come. We stand by Old White and Blue! With Bronco Pride, Jasmin Sessoms ᾿14 Interim Director, Alumni Affairs
life-long growth and development both professionally and personally. Finally, I ask that you reach out to students currently enrolled and be a beacon, be a fan, be a supporter of students so that we can ensure their graduation. Students fail to graduate for many reasons. Our task as graduates and supporters of FSU is to reduce or eliminate those reasons and champion them to graduate. You are doing these things and many others, so thank you and “Res Non Verba.” “Proud to Be” Richard D. Kingsberry ᾿78 President, Fayetteville State University National Alumni Association (FSUNAA) FSUNAA’s Executive Committee President: Richard D. Kingsberry First Vice President: Sabrina Richardson Second Vice President: Linda C. Coley Treasurer: LaChrystal Williams Financial Secretary: Chonna Campbell Recording Secretary: Linda Fay Smith Assistant Secretary: Nancy Harris
HBCU
(Historically Black College and University)
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updates
Old White & Blue Alumni News FSU Alumna Named Regional and County Teacher of the Year Not only is Nicole Rivers Cumberland County Schools’ Teacher of the Year, she is the Regional Teacher of the Year. Rivers, an FSU alumna, teaches ninth- and tenth-grade English at Gray’s Creek High School. This marks the second-consecutive year that a Cumberland County teacher has been named regional teacher of the year. The announcement of the regional honors was made during the Zoom meeting by North Carolina’s Teacher of the Year, Maureen Stover, who teaches at the early college high school on the campus of FSU.
Mr. Alumni 2020-2021, Mr. Kevin Wardlaw Every year, FSU’s National Alumni Association upholds the annual tradition of crowning Mr. or Ms. Alumni and recognizing the Family of the Year. These traditions highlight FSU alumni that are active within the Bronco community and within their own communities. Mr. Kevin Wardlaw Kevin Wardlaw is a 1986 graduate of Fayetteville State University where he majored in Speech and Theatre. He participated in theatre productions and was the radio announcer for the campus-based public radio. Kevin was a scholarship athlete playing football and running track for the Broncos and was inducted into the Fayetteville State University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. He pledged Omega Psi Phi in the fall of 1983. He served as the basileus for the Delta Gamma chapter and was Omega Man of Year for the Charlotte Alumni chapter, Pi Phi. He has been a photojournalist for WCNC for the last 32 years. Kevin is an active member of his church, Memorial Presbyterian in Charlotte and is a proud husband and father. 6
Rivers said she was completely surprised. “I’m just overwhelmed. I thought I would have found out with just a simple phone call. They got me good with the announcement during the Zoom meeting,” she said. The announcement of Rivers as Cumberland County Teacher of the Year winner was made September 14, 2020 during the district’s first-ever virtual Celebration of Excellence in Teaching event. Rivers is a 15-year veteran educator. Throughout her tenure, she has held many leadership positions, including English Department chair, co-founder and advisor of Poetic Pathos and Gray’s Creek Slam, and head advisor of G.E.M.S. (Girls Expecting More Success).
FSU Alumna Publishes Financial Literacy Book that is Sparking Money Talks in Households Harmoney & the Empty Piggy Bank, is a new children’s book by North Carolinian author, Crystal McLean. The book is sparking much-needed money talk in households at a time when the economy is unpredictable and there is uncertainty due to the global pandemic. Harmony & the Empty Piggy Bank is a chapter book that teaches young people about money, budgeting, persistence, entrepreneurship, investing, donating and more. Harmoney & the Empty Piggy Bank is published by Parker & Co. Press LLC. The book had a release date of October 27, 2020 and can be purchased on Amazon. Author Crystal D. McLean is a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina. She is an alumna of Fayetteville State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Banking and Finance. Her goal is to educate young people on financial awareness and give them tools to make financially sound decisions. To learn more visit www.authorcrystalmclean.com. The FS&U Magazine
updates
Old White & Blue Alumni News Segra Establishes Endowment Fund to Provide Scholarships for Fayetteville State University Students Segra, one of the largest independent fiber network companies in the Eastern U.S., and namesake of Segra Stadium, home to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers minor league baseball team, has established an endowed scholarship with Fayetteville State University. “By matching Segra’s gift, Title III provides opportunities for HBCUs like FSU to sustain and grow its endowment while aligning with one of Segra’s core values of creating a legacy,” said Dr. Harriet Davis, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement at FSU. “I am so pleased that Segra saw the need and opportunity to support Fayetteville State University and its students,” said Interim Chancellor Peggy Valentine. “This financial support will be put to great use and will allow deserving students to obtain the quality education that they so richly deserve. I am grateful to Segra for their generosity and for making this investment in our students.” Segra executives said that the firm is proud to support FSU and its students.
The Office of Alumni Affairs Launches Virtual Program “BRONCO BREAKOUT” Bronco Breakout is a virtual forum for all Broncos to share tips and tricks concerning their chosen industry. It is an opportunity for entreprenuers and young business professionals alike to give back to the Bronco Alumni Community. Our first featured guest on September 30th was Alumna Jalynn Jones from Adrenne, The Business Boutique. Founded in 2015, Adrenne is mostly known for its motivational resume writing, creative career coaching, and business solutions.
Class Reunion: Celebrating the Classes of 1’s and 6’s Broncos, it is time to begin planning your Class Reunion. Please contact our office to get connected with your class coordinator and support your class fundraising efforts. Email us at alumni@uncfsu.edu for more information.
You can watch the session on Fayetteville State University Alumni Affairs Facebook page: www.facebook.com/FayStateAlumni. Would you like to be featured on the next Bronco Breakout? Email alumni@uncfsu.edu to be featured on our next segment!
The student to faculty ratio at FSU is only
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17 to 1 7
support
Day of Giving Campaign 51% Over Goal! Annual Effort Surpasses $151,000
Thanks to the generosity of alumni, friends, and supporters, Fayetteville State University (FSU) exceeded its goal during the “Day of Giving” on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. Thus far, $151,121 was raised from more than 500 donors. The goal was $100,000. Funds raised support the following:
Individuals who did not donate on December 1 can still contribute, said Jasmin Sessoms, Interim Director of Alumni Affairs. University Advancement will be accepting donations via checks if they are marked “Day of Giving.” Checks can be mailed to:
» Scholarships for students » Emergency fund for students » The Annual Fund “I can’t begin to tell you how pleased I am with our ‘Day of Giving’ results,” said Dr. Harriet Davis, Interim Vice Chancellor for University Advancement. “The Bronco Nation, friends, and supporters really demonstrated their pride by helping us exceed our goal. I can’t thank them enough for their support. I also wish to acknowledge the University Advancement team and FSU faculty and staff who were instrumental in helping us garner needed funds for our students. Everyone came together to support this effort.”
Fayetteville State University University Advancement 1200 Murchison Road Fayetteville, NC 28301 “I am in awe of the support that our alumni have shown for FSU during the campaign,” Sessoms said. “Our second annual Day of Giving provided an outstanding platform to highlight the impact of private support and the importance of creating a culture of philanthropy at FSU. It is my hope that our alumni will continue to rally around their love for FSU and remain connected with the University by supporting its endeavors in a greater way in communities across the country.”
Ways to Support Fayetteville State University The pandemic and the economic downturn have caused many of our current Broncos to find themselves in a more precarious financial situation than at this time last year. Therefore, your gift will ensure FSU the flexibility to respond to these urgent needs as they arise. Every gift of every size to Fayetteville State University is vital because each gift helps us to progress as a university. We offer numerous ways to support the university in the form of cash, stocks/ securities, endowments and much more. Ways to Give: • • • •
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Cash Credit Card Stocks/Securities Matching Gifts
• Legacy Gifts (endowed, planned, deferred)
While we cannot predict how the university will grow or how its mission will adapt to face the current challenges of the world, we do know this, the remarkable partnership between the university and its alumni and friends will continue to be fundamental to the success of FSU. A gift to FSU continues to be one of the best ways to positively impact the lives of our students and our programs.
Contact our Advancement Team to learn about our Annual Giving and Reunion Giving Programs or visit our website to give online uncfsu.edu/give-to-fsu.
Jasmin Sessoms, Interim Director of Alumni Affairs jsessom3@uncfsu.edu or (910) 672-1681
Chris Davis, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development cdavis18@uncfsu.edu or (910) 672-1683
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highlights
Extra! Extra! 2 HBCU Powerhouses Form Partnership FSU & Meharry Medical College Enter Into Partnership Meharry Medical College is one of the nation’s oldest and largest historically Black academic health science centers dedicated to educating physicians, dentists, researchers, and health policy experts. Founded in 1876 as the Medical Department of Central Tennessee College in Nashville, Meharry was the first medical school in the South for African Americans. It was chartered separately in 1915.
and provide additional educational opportunities for students and residents. » Collaborate in the design and implementation of focused synergistic community networks that complement education, research, and clinical missions and provide leverage for service engagement opportunities.
Fayetteville State University is a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina System and the secondoldest public institution of higher education in the state, having been founded in 1867. FSU is a historically Black university offering degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. With more than 6,300 students, Fayetteville State University is among the most diverse institutions in the nation.
In partnership with Meharry Medical College, FSU’s Board of Trustees, particularly Chair Stuart Augustine and Trustee Jonathan Charleston, fully support the following:
FSU’s and Meharry’s core values align. Both are communities of scholars and learners committed to excellence and espouse accountability with transparency, equity and inclusion, respect with collegiality, service with compassion, and integrity without exception. FSU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Meharry Medical College. The vision for both institutions for the next decade is to: » Provide leadership in rural and urban communities across the United States. » Lead in clinical medicine. » Build and maintain a network of regional, national and international partners to expand its clinical reach Spring/Fall 2020
» Initiating an affiliation agreement with Meharry Medical College. » Establishing and implementing of a 3 plus 3 plus 3 program (three years for pre-med from FSU, three years of medical school at Meharry, and three years residency in Cumberland County). » Establishing and implementing of a rural training track residency training program in the southeast region. » Appointing a planning committee to explore the feasibility of medical school at FSU for the southeast region of North Carolina. » Implementing an Innovation and Partnership Core Unit within the Office of the Chancellor. The partnership was done in agreement with FSU Interim Chancellor Dr. Peggy Valentine and Dr. James E.K. Hildreth, President and Chief Executive Officer of Meharry Medical College. 9
highlights
Extra! Extra! Enrollment Hits An All-Time High FSU is on a roll! In fall 2020, the university recorded the largest enrollment in its 153-year history with 6,726 students, an increase of 2.7% over the previous year. Broken down, undergraduate enrollment reached 5,661 students, or up .3%, and graduate students numbered a record-setting 1,065, a whopping 17.4% over 2019. Also, noteworthy: The freshman class of 736 students is the largest since fall 2007. The class total is more than an 8% increase over 2019.
“I am absolutely thrilled over this increase in student enrollment,” says Dr. Peggy Valentine, Interim Chancellor. “This rise indicates that students are aware of the quality, yet affordable world-class education that Fayetteville State University offers.” She adds, “A tremendous amount of hard work went into increasing these numbers, particularly during this difficult time, and I want to thank Enrollment Management, especially the Office of Admissions.”
Freshmen Gifted With Laptops The good news did not end with the favorable enrollment numbers. An anonymous donor gifted the entire freshmen class with laptops to assist them with their educational goals. “The pandemic reinforced the need and importance for our students to have laptops to meet and complete their academic work,” says Interim Chancellor Dr. Peggy Valentine. “This tremendous gift enabled students to do just that. I speak on behalf of the students, faculty and staff when I say we are truly grateful for this support.” The gift was bestowed in honor of the late U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel (Retired) Jacob Dixon Jr., who graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a degree in electronics and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force (USAF). He was selected to attend undergraduate pilot training at Williams AFB, Arizona, where he received his aviation wings. During his military career, Lt. Colonel Dixon completed an engineering degree at Washington State University, and two Master’s degrees from Webster University. He joined NASA at Kennedy Space Center following 23 years of service with the USAF. At NASA, he played an integral role as a principal design engineer in the space transportation systems. Lt. Colonel Dixon and his wife co-founded Creative Management Technology Inc. in Cocoa Beach, Fla., and grew the company into one of the most highly acclaimed small business operations in the United States. He served on the boards of N.C. A&T State University, the Small Business and Industry Council, Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce, Tuskegee Airmen, SunTrust Bank, Cape Canaveral Hospital and the First United Methodist Church in Cocoa Beach.
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The FS&U Magazine
highlights
Extra! Extra! FSU Ranks #1 Nationally For Most Affordable Entrepreneurship Master’s & Among Best Business Schools Fayetteville State University ranks #1 nationally on a list of the 10 Most Affordable Entrepreneurship Master’s Degrees for 2021, according to Great Business Schools (GBS), an online guide for prospective college business students. FSU and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are the only North Carolina schools with a Top 10 ranking. Other programs include the University of Florida, Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., and Temple University. In recognizing FSU, GBS stated: “The Broadwell College of Business and Economics prepares students for rewarding careers in business. The school is AACSB-accredited and prides itself on its affordability. Broadwell helps connect students with employers for internships and other employment opportunities. The school provides entrepreneurship support, experience working on realworld projects, professional certifications, and career skills training, all of which help prepare students for their future careers in business. The Broadwell College of Business and Economics promotes economic and entrepreneurial education to transform the region’s economy.”
GBS also produced a listing of the Best Entrepreneurship Master’s Programs for 2021, and FSU’s Broadwell College of Business and Economics was included. Of the 57 programs listed, FSU, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Western Carolina are the only North Carolina schools to be named. Additionally, FSU is the only historically Black college and university (HBCU) in the country on the list. Other institutions listed include Harvard University, Indiana University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Virginia. GBS noted: “By covering a range of traditional campus and online programs, GBS rankings seek to provide direction for all sorts of students. The opportunity to build connections and to network in an on-campus entrepreneurship program can lay the groundwork for future collaboration.” “The Master’s in Entrepreneurship program is a place for students to find their career passion and combine the education from their undergraduate degree with the refined focus of the Master’s degree.”
Chemistry Student Wins International Award Kudos to Fayetteville State University student Tashi Hatchell, who was recently honored with a prestigious Student Poster Award at the Microscopy & Microanalysis 2020 Virtual Conference. She was among nine awardees in the Physical Sciences category. Globally, there were more than 290 posters were submitted in the category. Tashi is pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry/ Pre-Health from FSU’s Department of Chemistry, Physics & Materials Science. The awarded work, “Morphological and Compositional Characterization of Electrochemically Active Perovskite Oxides for Sensing Biological Molecules,” was a collaboration between Hatchell and Kasci D. Pelucarte. Pelucarte is also pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry/Pre-Health. This research was conducted using the FSU’s state-of-the-art fieldSpring/Fall 2020
emission electron microprobe instrument equipped with a cathodoluminescence detector. The equipment was funded by the Department of Defense Army Research Office (DoDARO) and National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation (NSF-MRI) grants. Hatchell and Pelucarte are NSF Excellence in Research (EIR)-funded Scholars participating in the Interdisciplinary Materials Research and Education Laboratory (IMREL) at FSU. Additionally, they are both veterans. Before joining FSU, Hatchell served in the United States Air Force for 10 years, and Pelucarte served in the United States Army for 12 years. “This is an academic breakthrough for any FSU student who receives such an award,” says Dr. Zhiping Luo, the Director of IMREL. “Prior to coming to FSU, I trained several students at Texas A&M University who received this highly competitive award. This is the first time an FSU student has been recognized there, and it signifies that we can compete with other major research universities internationally.” 11
athletics
Athletes Play To Win FSU Captures 4 CIAA Championships Before Athletics Shutdown Due to COVID-19
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n the interest of protecting health and safety during COVID-19, all athletic-related activities were cancelled at Fayetteville State University beginning on March 12.
Prior to that time, FSU proved its athletic prowess by capturing four out of seven Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships for the year. The women’s cross-country program set the tone for the year with its third consecutive championship title in October at the Green Hill Park in Salem, Virginia. The Broncos placed five scorers (who all earned All-CIAA accolades) among the top 15 runners and cruised to the 35-point victory. Nelly Kandie, the 2019 CIAA Runner of the Year, finished as second overall. The FSU program has been the home of the past three CIAA Runners of the Year with Mercy Chemutai receiving this year’s award. Head Coach Inez Turner has also been the recipient of the Women’s Coach of the Year honor for the past three seasons. The men’s cross-country team finished ninth out of 11 teams with its lead runner finishing 17th out of 74 runners; just two positions shy of All-CIAA honors.
seasons. Da’Nesha Miller was named the Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player. A total of three Broncos were named to the All-Tournament Team and five to the all-conference squad. Cassandra Watson was named the CIAA Rookie of the Year and Jasmine Jacinto the Defensive Player of the Year. Head Coach Reeshemah Johnson was named the Volleyball Coach of the Year for the second successive year and fourth time in her coaching career. Fayetteville State finished the season 19-7 overall after its best-ever start in the NCAA Atlantic Region Tournament. The women’s indoor track & field program captured 123 points with 11 top-three podium finishes for its first-ever CIAA
The Fayetteville State football program had another standout season with its third trip to the CIAA Football Championship game. The Broncos opened the first half of the season with a 4-1 record which progressed into a fivegame win-streak and resulted in a 6-1 conference and 8-3 overall record. FSU claimed the CIAA Southern Division Title for a third consecutive season. Ten student-athletes received post-season all-conference honors. Senior Stevie Green became the Broncos all-time rusher with 4,479 yards and all-time scorer with 41 touchdowns after four seasons of play. Volleyball claimed its sixth CIAA championship with a sweep over defending champs Shaw University. The title game capped an 11-game win streak and a 16-1 conference record. Fayetteville State finished with a 11-1 divisional standing for a fifth Southern Division title in 11 12
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Championship title after two seasons of sponsorship. FSU finished third last year in its first championship appearance since 2000. Head Coach Inez Turner was chosen as the CIAA Women’s Coach of the Year and Shania Ingram was named the field events’ co-women’s Most Valuable Athlete. Six indoor track athletes received All-Region Honors prior to the NCAA National Championship Meet. Four of the six traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to compete for national titles. Mya Johnson and Jerinique Brooks qualified to run in individual races as well as run a portion on the 4x400 relay squad with Tawana Allen and Carisha Leonard. The women’s basketball team earned the CIAA’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament after defeating Bowie State University, 61-53, to claim its fourth CIAA title and third since 2001. Fayetteville State finished 15-2 in conference play and went undefeated against divisional opponents for its third CIAA Southern Division title in four years. Two Broncos were named to the All-CIAA Team and one to the All-Rookie Team. Katisha Hyman was named the Tournament MVP and Shantel Bennett received the Food Lion Player of the Game award. Both had seats on the All-Tournament Team. The men’s basketball team jumped to a 9-0 start on the season, achieved its first 20-win season
Spring/Fall 2020
since 1992-93, and finished with a 24-8 overall record. As exciting as the start of the season was, so was FSU’s play in the CIAA Tournament. The South’s No. 3 seeded Broncos surpassed Shaw, Virginia Union, and Johnson C. Smith to reach its eighth championship game. The team missed qualifying for the NCAA Regionals by one position. Denzel Hosch was honored with the CIAA Lowe’s Senior CLASS award and Jalen Seegars was named All CIAA. The Fayetteville State bowling season was cut short with one divisional meet and the championship tournament remaining on the schedule. The Broncos were undefeated in conference play with a 39-0 record and 49-15 overall standing. Four bowlers were name all-conference along with Cecilia Chafin, who was named the CIAA Rookie of the Year. Head Coach Robert “Bobbie” Henderson was named the Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive season as Fayetteville State captured their 19th Divisional title. The golf team completed two Spring matches before the season was cut short, but the Broncos participated in four matches in the Fall. FSU won the VSU Trojan Fall Classic in October. Softball finished the 2020 abbreviated season with a 5-9 record and women’s tennis finished 2-2.
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support
Virtual Homecoming Giving Campaign
Goal-Breaking Fundraising, Pandemic and All
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ayetteville State’s intercollegiate athletic programs are a great source of pride. Our student-athletes have set a standard of exceptional achievement in both academics and athletics. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) elected to suspend the 2020 Fall season. And although it has disrupted athletic activities, it has not tamed our pride! The inability to generate revenue from ticket sales, concessions and tailgating has directly impacted FSU Athletics by a loss of $100,000. The Department has made considerable adjustments to daily operations because of minimal funding; however, we need to continue vital functions in support of more than 200 student athletes. To ensure that Fayetteville State University studentathletes achieve championship experiences, the Department of Athletics and the FSU National Alumni Association launched a Virtual Homecoming Campaign to support athletic programs, services, scholarships, and activities identified as priority support requirements. The campaign was a smashing success. To date, 265 donors have contributed $139,030, exceeding the fundraising goal by more than $39,000!
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The FS&U Magazine
support
1,000 Broncos Championships Begin with Scholarships The mission of the 1,000 BRONCOS annual campaign is to strengthen Fayetteville State University’s commitment to student-athlete excellence both academically and athletically. Through the 1,000 BRONCOS involvement, volunteers, fans, alumni and former student-athletes collectively seek to provide the scholarship funding that is vital for all 12 sports. 1,000 BRONCOS PRINCIPLES We will pursue the vision of Fayetteville State University Athletics with great integrity and a dedication to our core values and an unwavering loyalty to Fayetteville State. To achieve our vision, the 1,000 BRONCOS campaign will focus on four areas of excellence. » Membership » Fiscal Responsibility » Donor Service » Staff Development Join the Club! It’s easy to give: » Cash/Check Donations » Debit/ Credit Cards » Payroll Deduction (FSU Employees only) » Online Giving: Visit the FSU Athletic website: FSUbroncos.com and click “Donate Now” » Matching Gifts » Planned Gifts » Memorial Gifts » Gifts-in-Kind » Real Estate For additional information, contact: Michael J King Assistant Athletics Director Development and Marketing mjking@uncfsu.edu (910) 672-2565, Cell: (910) 987-3390 Spring/Fall 2020
We proudly recognize the 2020-2021 1,000 Broncos Gary Allsbrook Willie Artis Alrick Banks Jaimey Bembry Anthony Bennett Malika Bennett Fred Bibby Ebony Blue James Boles Eric Bradley Carl Brinkley Dr. Lee Brown Tyreece Brown Alicia Bryant Travis Burnis Sophie Carr Niya Carr-Kennedy TaQuisha Cherry Linda Coley Calvin Vincent Cornelius Luke D’Alessio The Deas Group Warren Dobbins Ander Dunham Antoinette Fairley William Fisher Chris Fletcher Stanley Ford Wesley Fountain Deona Frierson Paul Gerald Roberta Gibson Demetrius Haddock Terrance Hall Jonae Hanna Justin Harris
Richard Hayes Kenneth Haywood Bobby Henderson Christopher Holden Michael Holly Andregus Holmes Artavus Hughes Stephen Hunter James Ivery Evelyn Ivey Wanda Jenkins Johnny Jiggetts Ethan Joe Jamale Johnson Reeshemah Johnson Alphonza Kee Rita Kilgore Michael King Serena King-Coleman Mark Knight Regina Locust Tandon Mardis Valerie Mardis Tremain McAdoo Barry McCauley Anquell McCollum Rodney McCrowre Raymond McDougal Alice McDougald Chalmers McDougald Adia McEachin Johnny McInnis Hambric Leon McGlockton Natrone Means Bruce Middleton Lawanda Miller
Calvin Mims Dr. Carlitta Moore Donald Moore Tavarus Moore Gloria Moore-Carter Mark Newcombe Ladelle Olion Charles Parker Bhavin Patel Roni Paul Wendell Phillips Byron Powell Michael Randall Valerie Randall James Ray Heawatha Sanders Carlton Spellman Simon Temple AME Zion Church Mark Thompson Herbert Townes Inez Turner Warren Turner Dr. Peggy Valentine Joy Vanhook Fred Waddell Edward White Paul Whitehead Chris Wilks Aaron Williams Tonya D. Williams Thalia Wilson Vincent Wilson Jeffery Womble Jeremy Wright Antonio Youngblood 15
cover story
Giving By Example With an academic college to be named in his honor, Dr. Clarence Lloyd, a trailblazing physician, lives his loyalty for his alma mater, FSU
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By Janet Gibson / Photography by Cindy Burnham
s Dr. Clarence Lloyd walks the campus of his alma mater, Fayetteville State University, students show their reverence with silent nods and smiling eyes, the body language of awe or gratitude. And make a clear path for him. Who is this dignified man in the dapper gray suit? They may not know for sure – but they sense – that he is special. And they are right.
Dr. Lloyd says he owes much to FSU, where a scholarship and work-study program made it possible for him to earn his undergraduate degree in 1965 and set him on a journey to becoming one of the first Black radiologists in North Carolina. Over the years, Dr. Lloyd has taken “Bronco Pride” and “paying it forward” to new levels with his gifts and actions. Since graduating, he has missed only one Homecoming game. He is a constant presence at myriad events involving FSU, including reunions and fund-raisers. A self-proclaimed “smart manager of money and investments” – who proudly drove his 1998 Toyota Camry for 487,000 miles – Dr. Lloyd says how he lives empowers how he gives. He has bestowed a total of more than $600,000 to Fayetteville State University.
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The FS&U Magazine
Dr. Clarence E. Lloyd Jr. says a scholarship and work-study program made it possible for him to begin a journey to become one of the first Black radiologists in N.C. Spring/Fall 2020
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His first large donation, $100,000, came in 2015. In October 2019, he gave an additional $500,000. That latest gift is earmarked as: $250,000 endowment $250,000 annual support, including student scholarships, faculty/staff development, and a speaker series In December 2019, FSU’s Board of Trustees voted to honor him in a special way. This Spring, the Dr. Clarence Lloyd College of Health, Science, and Technology is expected to be officially unveiled in the Lyons Science Building.
Dr. Lloyd opens his 1965 yearbook and reminisces about the memories he made as a student at Fayetteville State University.
“I can’t thank Dr. Lloyd enough for his generous support of FSU,” said Dr. Peggy Valentine, Interim Chancellor. “He is one of the university’s biggest supporters and has consistently given to advance the mission of his alma mater. Dr. Lloyd cares deeply about preparing the next generation of health professionals, and we are very pleased to name the College in his honor.”
Stroll Down Memory Lane History unfolds, if only in the imagination, on a stroll down Memory Lane. “You see over there?” Dr. Lloyd says, pointing to an area near the Rudolph Jones Student Center. “That used to be a laundry. Male students could get five T-shirts, five shorts and five pairs of socks washed every week.” The laundry service was included in the cost of tuition: $500 a year when Dr. Lloyd began his FSU journey in 1961 and $700 when he graduated with 117 other students four years later. “There were only two male dorms and three or four female dorms. “I believe the freshman girls,” he says with a sly smile, “might have had a 7 p.m. curfew.” A Biology major with a minor in Chemistry, he spent a lot of his time “feeding the animals” at the science building. He also joined a fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, and was inducted in the honor society Beta Kappa Chi. Fayetteville State was “a paradise” for the enthusiastic young man from Williamston, a dot on the map in the northeastern corner of the state. The town was a hub of activity during the civil rights movement. He knew many people there who were involved in peaceful protests, one that lasted for 29 consecutive days in June 1963. “I was away at school, also partipating in peaceful marches,” he says. “To me, college was Heaven. Go eat. Feed the animals. Go to class. Out of class. Study. We had steam-heat in the dorm, no getting the wood in for a fire, no walking a mile to school. That was Heaven.” 18
The FS&U Magazine
A Life’s Journey Dr. Lloyd describes the home where he grew up as “a cheerful place with seven children and lots of love.” His father was a janitor who had a third-grade education, and his mother, who worked as a housekeeper, was able to complete the eighth grade. “They wanted better for their children,” says Dr. Lloyd, “and encouraged education.” He was the first in his family to go to college. All his siblings worked hard and “have done very well for themselves,” Dr. Lloyd says, beaming with pride. After he graduated from FSU, he taught high school for a year in Mount Olive before going to North Carolina Central University, where he would earn his Master’s degree in Molecular Biology in 1968. For two years, he taught at Livingstone College in Salisbury before earning his medical degree in 1974 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He interned for a year at New Hanover Memorial Hospital in Wilmington. From 1975-78, he specialized in Radiology at BowmanGray School of Medicine in Winston-Salem – the first minority to do so. His father died his senior year of medical school, but his mother lived to see him become a doctor. He also served in the United States Army Reserves where he participated in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Serving oversees is the reason he missed one FSU Homecoming game.) He retired as a Colonel after 20 years. Dr. Lloyd retired in March 2019 as a longtime, respected radiologist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Kernersville.
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Chris Davis, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development, and Jasmin Sessoms, Interim Director of Alumni Affairs, accept a donation from Dr. Clarence E. Lloyd Jr. Photo by Janet Gibson
jogger in his Greensboro neighborhood, and enjoys playing golf.
Making Money Work For You Dr. Lloyd never got caught up in the trappings of wealth. When he was working, he packed his lunch. He has stayed single and never had children of his own but is close to his nieces and nephews. He gets “from Point A to Point B” in a Toyota Camry.
Pre-COVID, he took time for vacations – with Tampa, Florida, among his favorite destinations. To see all the sights, he would splurge on a car rental – a shiny convertible Corvette. Smart decisions regarding his physical and financial health are the reasons why he is able to leave a legacy.
His day starts with meditation, reading the Bible, and several newspapers and financial publications.
“Anyone can give something, no matter the amount,” he says. “Small amounts add up.”
“The book ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ changed my attitude about money,” he says. His focus became on making his money work for him and began learning everything he could about investing and the stock market.
Dr. Lloyd says he lives his life by his favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” His giving philosophy is reflected in Matthew 6:21. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
The lithe Lloyd attributes his vigor to a mostly plant-based diet. He drinks a lot of water, takes vitamins, is an avid
There are over
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A special place in his heart will always belong to FSU.
28,000
Fayetteville State University alumni
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history
FSU Traditions Freshmen Pinning Ceremony Fayetteville State University’s Pinning Ceremony is a formal induction ceremony to welcome all new freshmen to the University. The Chancellor officially inducts the new class into the Bronco family through the reciting of the Freshman Pledge. All students receive an FSU lapel pin that can be worn for any formal or ceremonial occasion.
Alumni Gates Fayetteville State University’s Alumni Gates were dedicated in 1925. Graduates would pass through the gates as they celebrated commencement. Today, commencement has grown and moved off campus, but students, faculty, and staff yet gracefully stroll through the gates during Founders Day celebrations.
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D’Shawn Russell, a Fayetteville State University alumna (1994), is the founder, owner and CEO of Southern Elegance Candle Company, which is garnering its share of global online customers, retail stores and media exposure. She recently was featured on “Good Morning America” and “The View.” Her growing empire is based in Raeford, N.C.
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success story
Scents & Scents-Ability
With fiery determination, FSU alumna D’Shawn Russell takes the spotlight with her Southern Elegance candles By Janet Gibson / Photography by Cindy Burnham
t a large warehouse in the countryside of Raeford, N.C., workers are busy as bees fulfilling orders for tens of thousands of scented candles. Wax is poured. Wicks are placed. Boxes are packed. In the middle of the hive is D’Shawn Russell, founder, owner and CEO of this enterprise called Southern Elegance Candle Company. If the name sounds familiar, there’s good reason. D’Shawn and her company were recently featured on “GMA’s Deals & Steals Retail Rescue” and “The View.” Shout-outs from Allure Magazine and BuzzFeed have added to the frenzy. Online orders come in daily from throughout the United States and worldwide. Add in the shipments earmarked for Walmart.com and to 500-plus U.S. retail stores. To top it off – and, as we see notated on a white board – there’s also an order of 1,300 candles for fashion designer Tory Burch.
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Clearly, this candle company is on fire – coming a long way since the Fayetteville State University alumna (Class of 1994) took a risk in leaving her 26-year math teaching career to follow her bliss. On January 1, 2016, she started her company with two pots on her stove and a will to succeed. Sales topped $1 million in 2020. But when you ask the boss how she feels about all the latest hoopla – indeed, celebrity clients and national TV coverage – she offers up a serious expression and bluntly replies, “That doesn’t move me.” With pride in her eyes, she looks around at her people in the heavenly scented workplace. Single moms in shipping, grandmothers who have come out of retirement and are placing labels and wicks, and a young man in research and development who is working his way through college. That is what moves her. Being able to provide livingwage jobs for people in Hoke and surrounding counties where unemployment numbers typically run high – and COVID-19 has only made things worse for many folks. What makes these all-white candles in simple Mason jars, glass tumblers or travel tins stand out in a seemingly saturated market?
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“I’m a Black, overweight, middle-aged single mom with a chronic health condition. If I can do this, anything is possible. I have a spectacular life.” – D’Shawn Russell, Southern Elegance Candle Company
D’Shawn’s candles conjure memories of favorite cities that she has visited or the sweet smells in Southern agriculture. Nashville? Inhale the aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine. New Orleans? Catch a whiff of magnolia blossom. There’s even a Fayetteville candle inspired by childhood days spent picking blueberries with family in the country just outside of town. She calls Durham her hometown, though – and a candle called Brightleaf pays homage to the city which opened its first tobacco factory in 1848 and has experienced the revitalization of
its American Tobacco Historic District in recent years. The candle is a blend of tobacco, caramel and spice. Recent best-sellers have included candles featuring the scents of sweet potato and brown sugar, and another called pumpkin souffle, among other delicious-sounding blends. D’Shawn often turns to her team and customers to see what they crave for the next generation of products. The average price is $16 to $28 per candle. D’Shawn Russell’s life experiences – and the way she started and grew her business – will likely go down as one of the sweetest-smelling success stories in entrepreneurship. D’Shawn, 50, has always been filled with a fiery determination. In her 30s, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Thankfully, the growth was nonmalignant. It was removed from the pituitary gland, which controls hormonal functions. D’Shawn, who was then a military spouse living in Germany, believed that she would never be able to get pregnant, but she beat the odds. A healthy baby boy, Michael, was born in January 2011. Because Michael developed eczema, D’Shawn learned how to make soap from Southern pine tar and tea tree oil. Her interest in creating handmade products blossomed to include “body butters” and lotions that she would gift to fellow teachers. Candles were a natural progression, “and that changed the whole trajectory of my life,” she says. D’Shawn thought at the time she was on-track to become a school superintendent. She had earned her Bachelor
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D’Shawn Russell leads by example at the candle company she started on Jan. 1, 2016, in her home kitchen – with two pots on the stove. Her warehouse is abuzz with activity, as demonstrated by some of her team on the previous page.
of Science degree in Education with a Concentration in Mathematics from FSU in 1994, and then went on to receive her Master’s in Education from National Louis University and her EdS (Educational Leadership) credentials from Cambridge College. During her long career, she had taught math on the elementary, middle and high school levels. Then one day she came home in 2015 with a gnawing feeling that she just “didn’t want to do this anymore.” She wanted to start her own candle company: “I felt if you don’t, someone else will. Make the change. Make the shift. I just felt compelled to move on it.” So, she took five months to learn everything she could about running a business. She watched YouTube videos. Googled everything from candle-making to available grants. She also was accepted and graduated from the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 small business program. On the first day of 2016, she opened for business with the aforementioned two pots on her stove. Then she “graduated” to a “melter” in her garage, and then to “a rinky-dink single-wide trailer,” to her current 4,000-square-foot warehouse. The plan is to move in 2021 to a 15,000-square-foot facility in Raeford. 26
D’Shawn started with one employee (herself) and has worked up to 13, with more hires expected in the coming months. She began selling her products at farmers’ or flea markets on weekends and steadily grew the business from there. Word of mouth has been brisk, and so is strategic messaging on social media to grow the company’s following. D’Shawn created a small studio within her office area for photo and video shoots and for producing podcasts – and she also has an in-house social media manager who she mentors. It always pays to have a business consultant in your pocket, too. Enter Wanda Gill, a Business Resiliency Counselor for the Small Business and Technology Development Center on the Fayetteville State campus. All the center’s services, including business counseling and loan information, are available at no charge (www.sbtdc.org). Gill says she met D’Shawn in November 2019 at a veterans entrepreneurship conference. “I served as a judge for the Veterans Business Outreach Center (at FSU), and D’Shawn presented as one of the businesses during a ‘Shark Tank’ workshop.” The FS&U Magazine
Delivering service with a smile in the bustling packaging department of Southern Elegance Candle Company.
Gill and the other judges were “blown away by D’Shawn’s drive, the beautiful packaging of her products and professionalism. Not only did she win the contest, but our respect and admiration. I made an appointment to visit her manufacturing plant in Raeford – and the rest was the beginning of a great strategy for long-term growth.”
company were featured on ABC11 WTVD.
She adds, “D’Shawn has been so successful due to her relentless vision to create quality products that are both beautifully made and functional to the user. My favorite fragrance is Fireside because the smell transports me back to my Virginia roots. They are not candles, but memories.”
D’Shawn projects a certain sassiness and a can-do spirit to her people. “You’ve got this!” she says more than once.
D’Shawn says Gill has been especially helpful in making her aware of available grants and also the process for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help businesses during COVID-19. D’Shawn closed down her production for six weeks in the early days of the pandemic. But an influx of orders prompted her to reopen in full force. She says part of the turnaround can be attributed to the “Black Lives Matter” movement – and an increased commitment to support Black-owned businesses. She also credits more media coverage of successful minority entrepreneurs. Just after the interview for this story, for example, D’Shawn and her Spring/Fall 2020
Also, with more people staying at home, every bit of warmth and coziness helps. “Everything is done by hand,” D’Shawn says of her products, a simple fact that seems to become more appreciated in complex times.
She says transparency also is important. Her team knows the company’s sales numbers – and that she just recently began taking a paycheck. She’s also vocal about her goals to become a $50 million company in five years and to reach the $100 million mark in 10 years. “When you move into a bright space in life, your goals and dreams will fill that space,” she says, emphatically. “I’m a Black, overweight, middle-aged single mom with a chronic health condition. If I can do this, anything is possible,” she adds. “I have a spectacular life.” To learn more about Southern Elegance Candle Company, or to place orders, visit www.secandleco.com. The company is also on multiple social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. 27
A metaphor for making the most for life in 2020: Dancing in the rain, as demonstrated by best friends Sydney Harris and Je’den Clark. Sydney is President of FSU’s Student Government Association, and Je’den holds the same office at Winston-Salem State University.
‘Sister, Sister!’ The ties that bind these 2 Presidents By Janet Gibson / Photography by Cindy Burnham
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his is a Tale of Two Sisters.
But, they aren’t related by blood. Rather, they are best friends who are always there for each other – cheering, counseling, consoling or communicating without having to say a word. Besides, everyone who sees them together thinks that they are sisters. So, there. Perception is everything. No form of correction is necessary. In the world of HBCUs, the two also are powerful women to
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watch. Sydney Harris serves as the President of the Student Government Association at Fayetteville State University. Je’den Clark was elected to the same office at FSU’s arguably biggest rival, Winston-Salem State University. Sydney, 20, is a junior majoring in Communications with a minor in Africana Studies. Je’den, a 21-year-old senior, is majoring in Mass Communications with a minor in Justice Studies. Both are Honors students who are out to make a difference, and who knows, maybe even change the world. The FS&U Magazine
The pair met while students at E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville. Je’den was a sophomore cheerleader who was struck by the prowess and grace of freshman Sydney on the girls’ basketball team. They began a conversation, and the connection was immediate.
“Leadership is more than a duty or responsibility, but it’s a way of life and a part of one’s character,” she says. “It’s servant leadership …despite whether others are watching or giving recognition. It’s a natural longing to serve your community in the best way.”
They are still talking and learning from one another. Both decided to run for SGA President at their respective schools during the same time. Both also pushed the other to stay the course and believe in their abilities to capture a position that is often held by a male.
Both young women watched with interest at the recent national election. “The Biden/Harris win is a revolutionary change, especially for our generation,” says Sydney. “It showed us the power of voting and unity.”
On a recent Friday afternoon, Sydney and Je’den met at one of their favorite spots in Fayetteville – the tranquil lake tucked behind Mazarick Park. Their mission: to catch up, compare notes about responsibilities to their fellow students, and perhaps, bounce ideas off each other. The clouds broke open, and a downpour ensued, which might have discouraged those with less determination. But business had to be done, including a photo shoot. Somehow the vision of the best friends together strikes us as a metaphor for making the most of life in 2020 … smiling, laughing and dancing in the rain while sharing a crystalclear umbrella. Both admit that they never could have imagined how their SGA presidencies would be shaped by a global pandemic. “Students have a lot of questions,” says Sydney. Je’den agrees. Issues about openings, closings, postponements and procedures often rule the day. During the visit, they were mirror images of each other – models of calm, cool and collected – answering calls and texts in between being interviewed for this story. At one point, Je’den excused herself for a few minutes to take a Zoom meeting. Both emphasize the importance of communicating effectively with students and quick follow-up. In a letter to her fellow students, Je’den writes about transparency and the winds of change: “Having ‘A Seat at HER Table’ means more than just having a female as your SGA President, but it means every minority group represented on this campus gets to have a voice that’s not only maximized, but projected.” Sydney says the responsibility of the office has taught her the invaluable skill of “putting my foot down.” Previously, she might have been convinced to agree to something when she wasn’t 100 percent convinced that it was right. Not anymore. She speaks up. “True leadership,” she says, “means being able to create a vision of impact and getting others to believe in that vision. Not for reward or compensation, but for the genuine desire of success for all constituents.” Je’den also believes in the power of leadership – backed with pureness of purpose. Spring/Fall 2020
The fact resonates with Sydney and Je’den that Senator Kamala Harris has made history by becoming the first woman, and the first Black woman and woman of Asian descent, to win the office of Vice President of the United States. Harris also is the first to have graduated from an HBCU (Howard University, 1986). “This moment in history,” Je’den says, “will impact generations of young girls to know what is possible.” Although neither Sydney nor Je’den desires a career in politics, they are focused on making their mark. Both plan to continue their education. Je’den aims to study film in graduate school at Howard University. She wants to author children’s books – centered on themes of Black pride, history and self-confidence – and then produce a web series based on the stories. Sydney has eyes on becoming a professor before age 30, so she will be pursuing advanced degrees. Her long-term goal is to build a charter school. One thing’s for certain: No matter where life takes them, miles won’t stand in the way of their connection and communication. “We have no secrets,” they say in unison. 29
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profile
Renaissance Man 10 questions with Dr. Brooksie Harrington: Professor, writer, musician, and storyteller sets the bar high on living with passion By Janet Gibson / Photography by Cindy Burnham
W
e hear about the concept of a Renaissance Man, but how often do we actually get to meet him and hear his story?
At Fayetteville State University, the distinction could easily go to Dr. Brooksie Harrington, a longtime English professor whose achievements in the writing and entertainment fields have been recognized globally. He also has won the confidence and admiration of living legends – such as “The First Lady of Gospel Music,” Dr. Shirley Caesar, whose life on the road he has chronicled and with whom he shares a North Carolina Heritage Award. “He is a phenomenal person,” says Pastor Caesar, in a phone interview from her home in Raleigh, N.C. “Brooksie and his writings are not just a gift to me, but to the entire Gospel music world.” An organist and executive director of FSU’s Gospel Choir since 1995, the energetic educator juggles his various roles with ease. Over the past year, he also has served as the Special Assistant to FSU’s Interim Chancellor Dr. Peggy Valentine. She calls him “a great editor who gives much thought to expression,” adding that “his skillset is much appreciated and needed in the Office of the Chancellor.” Wanting “never to be disregarded,” Dr. Harrington Spring/Fall 2020
was motivated to earn multiple academic degrees and certifications, beginning in 1979 with two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Speech and Spanish Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He followed with a certification in English Education from St. Andrews Presbyterian College (now St. Andrews University). At The Ohio State University, he received two Master of Arts degrees, one in English and another in African-American Literature and Black Studies, followed by a Doctorate in English. He also trained in Educational Administration at Winthrop University. From an early age, he was thrust into the realm of performing arts. While a music student at UNC, Harrington became the protégé of Professor Martha Flowers, who was known as “The Soprano’s Soprano.” She achieved notoriety as Bess in George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” on screen and stage. Interviewed by phone, Dr. Flowers praised her friend Brooksie for his work ethic and talent – for being “a blessing.” Persistence has always been a part of Dr. Harrington’s character. His working relationship with Dr. Shirley Caesar, for example, happened in the late 1980s after he sent multiple requests to accompany her on the road and chronicle her life and performance style. 31
His resulting work, “Shirley Caesar: A Woman of Words,” is housed in the Schomburg Collection in Harlem, New York. The work captured the attention of other artists in which Dr. Harrington ended up interviewing and writing their stories. They included Albertina Walker, Inez Andrews, Rev. James Cleveland, Dorothy Norwood, Cassietta George, Delores Washington-Green, Lou Rawls, Joe Ligon, and Deitrick Vaughn Haddon. Most recently, Dr. Harrington was awarded the 2020 National Doctorate Diploma and Medallion for Humanitarianism from The Global International Alliance Leadership Program. The honorarium is awarded for “meritorious works,” including leadership in civic and community service, global entertainment, and governmental ambassadorship. He is often tapped as a guest speaker or lecturer and, in November 2020, was interviewed for a program sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The subject: music strategies that support the ecology and economy of our state and abroad. At age 64, Dr. Harrington has no plans to slow down. He makes his home in Fayetteville, not far from campus, and simply beams when he talks about his daughter, Jewel Harrington, a Doctorate student. With so many dimensions to explore in his active life, we offered up 10 additional questions. On the following page is what he had to say.
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of FSU’s full-time faculty hold doctoral or first professional degrees? The FS&U Magazine
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How do you start your day? That is, do you have certain rituals, and why? In order to ensure focus and productivity, I start my day with prayer and meditation, followed by goal setting. Why is education so important, especially in our current times? It affords you opportunities and “security” you would otherwise not have. Education gives you options that otherwise you probably would not have. (The window to opportunity.) You have accomplished so much over a long and fascinating career. What accomplishments make you the proudest?
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What do people not know about you that might surprise them?
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What do you think is the most underrated skill?
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If you weren’t an English professor at FSU, what would you be doing?
My ability to read music.
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Who do you look up to, and why? My dad (87) and my mom (84) because they convinced all of their children at an early age, that by the grace of God and with hard work, success was in their hands, and I believed them! What advice do you have for anyone who aspires to be a performing artist or writer? Find a good, successful, honest, talented mentor and learn to listen.
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I have the gift of commanding an audience, which is an urgently necessary skill if you perform. (And guess what? We all perform!)
My gift of discernment.
Social work, motivational speaker, educational advisor, traveling with a band. What is your life’s motto or favorite saying? Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” … I took the one (The Road) less traveled by and that has made all the difference.
What is next for Dr. Brooksie Harrington? Entrepreneurship.
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quality
Accreditations Fayetteville State University SASCOC: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Colleges AACSB: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business Broadwell College of Business and Economics CAEP: Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation College of Education
Academic Programs ABET: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology – Mathematics and Computer Science CCNE: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education – Nursing CSWE: Council of Social Work Education – Social Work FEPAC: Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission – Forensic Science. FSU’s Forensic Science program is the only program in NC with FEPAC accreditation. NAEYC: National Accreditation for the Education of Young Children – Birth to Kindergarten NASAD: National Association of Art and Design – Art NASM: National Association of Schools of Music – Music NCSBN: National Council of State Boards of Nursing – Nursing
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FSU Alums Launch Black Pretty & Paid University
alumni success
Story by Janet Gibson
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ttention: Black millennial women who aspire to be mentally healthy millionaires. A new source of education, motivation and invaluable tips toward achieving your destiny has arrived, thanks to two alumnae and sorority sisters of Fayetteville State University. Antanesha Hightower and Jalynn Jones have launched Black Pretty & Paid University, a digital learning program that is customized to millennial entrepreneurs. Their services include virtual business coaching, mentoring, and sales and marketing resources. Hightower and Jones say that their “Aha! moment” to start the business struck when they both were taking a “high-ticket business course.”
“We noticed that our communities need access to highquality digital products at affordable prices. We instantly dedicated ourselves to creating a platform that appealed to millennial learning styles and work schedules. These are folks who may be juggling school, parenting, caring for elders, working … all the while striving to unlock generational wealth.” Hightower and Jones say that their service is needed now more than ever, noting large discrepancies between the net worth of Black and white families, according to recent studies. “Financially and demographically, many Black Americans lack access to finances and affordable professional development,” Jones says. “Black Pretty & Paid University strives to provide the access that our communities need and deserve to create more jobs, businesses, and alumni that have the means to give back to their alma mater.” Hightower adds, “We created Black Pretty & Paid University with a ‘one-stop-shop’ vision in mind. We offer full-service coaching and motivational speaking with natural resources to business development, sales, and marketing. We even desire to land corporate and institutional contracts to train and develop staff with expenses covered by employers as an employee empowerment tool.” Jones and Hightower are currently based in Los Angeles and Atlanta, respectively, and are available to take virtual appointments. Their long-term goal is to establish a coworking space in the Fayetteville area. Jones was President of the 2013-14 Student Government Association at FSU. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2015. Hightower worked in the Career Center while at FSU. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English in 2013 and her Master’s in School Administration in 2017. Both entrepreneurs pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., which solidified their sisterhood and a desire to make a difference in their communities. For more information, email iam@blackprettyandpaid.com. Or connect with them on their company’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
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alumni success
FSU Racks Up SAP Success Stories Certification program, the only one in state, paves way to lucrative careers By Janet Gibson / Photography by Cindy Burnham
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lumna ZaMetria Wall wasn’t even thinking about the possibility of securing a new job in the middle of a pandemic, but opportunity came knocking. And her answer was a big “yes.” Because she earned her SAP certification in May 2020, ZaMetria received an enviable offer with Mann+Hummel, one of the world’s largest companies specializing in filtration systems. These systems are now in especially high demand as are SAP-certified consultants. Salaries for these jobs often range in six figures. SAP, an acronym for Systems, Applications and Products, is a software program used by top companies – from Amazon to Google – and by the military to track customer and business interactions. FSU is the only university in the state to offer the certification, and the program’s unique NextGen Lab is the only one in the Southeast. Dr. Murat Adivar in the Broadwell School of Business & Economics helped spearhead SAP at FSU in 2017 and teaches the 18week immersion, which includes two weeks of “test-prep” boot camp before the final exam. “I didn’t think anyone would be looking to hire during COVID,” says ZaMetria, who got an unsolicited phone call on Aug. 2, her 28th birthday, which has led to her new position. In September, ZaMetria started as a paid SAP Operations intern with the German-based Mann+Hummel plant in Gastonia, N.C. “I’m focused on analyzing trends and forecasting using historical data,” she says. “The goal is to 36
ensure that the company makes money and is not losing any time or resources. And then reporting to department heads.” Because of COVID-19 precautions, ZaMetria says the team meets frequently via Skype. However, she also has enjoyed opportunities to work on the production floor lines in both the Fayetteville and Gastonia plants. “The people on the floor taught me so much about the process,” she says, “and it was beneficial to see the labor work in action.” She adds, “I was extremely shocked when I was shown that I have a huge office! I have so many decorating ideas in my head and can’t wait to personalize them. Of course, it will be Bronco blue and white!” A wife and mom to two young sons, ZaMetria calls the SAP opportunity “a huge blessing to me and my family.” At FSU, many know her as “the smiling face of the card office.” As a longtime administrative support specialist, she “literally saw everyone who registered for an ID card.” ZaMetria says she has experienced firsthand the excellence that is FSU on several levels – as an undergraduate student who received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing in 2014, as an employee of the university, as a current MBA student (who plans to continue her studies online) – and as one of the select group who have earned their SAP certifications. When ZaMetria received the phone call about the Mann+Hummel position, on the other line was Joshua Speller, plant manager for the Gastonia facility. Over the The FS&U Magazine
“It’s not just the technical skills, but the work ethic that the FSU students bring. They are independent, smart and hard-working.”
– Joshua Speller, Mann+Hummel
past few years, Speller has hired SAP-certified students from FSU for internships and full-time positions. He calls the FSU program “a hidden gem.” “It’s not just the technical skills, but the work ethic that the FSU students bring,” Speller says. “They are independent, smart and hard-working.” Mann+Hummel has 21,000 total employees with facilities on every continent, he says. Speller had asked Dr. Murat Adivar if he had any SAPcertified students interested in moving to the Charlotte area. ZaMetria, who is originally from Marshville and still has family there, was recommended by Adivar. Adivar says he was first approached in 2016 about starting the SAP certification program at FSU by former Provost Dr. Pamela Jackson. The program launched the following year, and has attracted a diverse group of students, including undergraduates, MBAs (including students from California and Ohio), those affiliated with the military, and even professors who have traveled from as far away as Pennsylvania. In an email that ZaMetria sent to Dr. Adivar with the news of her career move, she thanked him and another business professor, Dr. Burcu Adivar (his wife), who recommended ZaMetria for the SAP certification program. “The SAP NextGen Lab/Program and your teaching have truly been a game-changer for me. I have much more confidence in myself knowing I have knowledge and certification in a tool that is used to operate international Fortune 100 companies. These skills make me feel needed and valued,” she wrote. “I believe she’s going to be a great leader,” Dr. Murat Adivar responds, “and that’s our purpose.” Spring/Fall 2020
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degrees
A Trio Of Excellence Growing in enrollment and national recognition, Fayetteville State University offers more than 60 degree programs. Three programs continue to make news about innovation, value, and a reputation for attracting a diverse community of students, including active-duty military and veterans.
BROADWELL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & ECONOMICS Named one of the best business schools in the nation by The Princeton Review, the Broadwell College of Business & Economics is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Less than onethird of U.S. business schools and only 5% of international business schools have earned the prestigious accreditation. “We focus on providing students ‘access to success,’” says Interim Dean Dr. Ulysses Taylor. “In addition, we are one of the most affordable accredited (AACSB) business programs in the nation.” Dr. Taylor stresses that almost half of the courses are taught in an online format, adding, “Our award-winning graduate program is available 100% online, as well as our Business Administration and Accounting undergraduate degrees. … We have joint collaborations with the military and over 30% of our students are either current or former service women and men and/or military affiliates.” He adds, “We offer a number of certifications that are recognized and accepted as industry standards.” One of 38
the best known is the SAP certification program, which launched in 2017. SAP, an acronym for Systems, Applications and Products, is a software program used by top global companies – from Amazon to Google – and by the military to track customer and business interactions. FSU is the only university in North Carolina to offer the certification, and the program’s unique NextGen Lab is the only one in the Southeast. Dr. Murat Adivar helped spearhead the program and teaches the 18-week course, which includes two weeks of “test-prep” boot camp before the final exam. Students have traveled from all over the country to participate in the immersive experience. Among them are undergraduates, MBAs, professors, and the military-affiliated. Many who have earned their SAP certifications have been met with immediate job offers. SAP-certified consultants often begin their careers with salaries starting in the six figures. The FS&U Magazine
SCHOOL OF NURSING
FORENSIC SCIENCE PROGRAM
“I believe the strengths of the School of Nursing are founded in the diversity of our faculty of students,” says Interim Dean Dr. Afua Arhin. “The school is diverse in background, age, ethnicity and life experience. Together, we have this unique blended melting pot which effectively meets the academic needs of students where they are.”
FSU’s undergraduate forensic science program is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). The program is the only accredited forensic science program in North Carolina.
The School of Nursing recently added a Master of Science in Nursing in Patient Safety and Quality. This is the first program of its kind in North Carolina and the third program of its kind in our country.” The faculty and staff possess impressive credentials, in both educational and practical experience. Dr. Arhin’s expertise is in the areas of maternal and child nursing. She is a registered nurse who served as the former Dean of the School of Nursing at Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana and as a faculty member at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida. Her scholarship focuses on improving outcomes in African Americans as it relates to health and education. Her expertise is reflected in her publications and presentations. Nursing students and graduates will tell you that the school’s culture promotes caring and nurturing. They speak with heartfelt gratitude about an “open-door policy” with instructors and being made to feel that their successes are vitally important. “Taking this leap was the best thing I have done for myself and my family,” says Dalashia Early, a military-affiliated student who graduated at age 26 and secured employment as a nurse in the Atlanta area.
50% Spring/Fall 2020
of FSU’s students are older than 24
Dr. Khalid M. Lodhi, who directs the program, says a number of factors contribute to the program’s success. Topping the list are “a state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure, hands-on learning, small class size, faculty with professional crime laboratory experience, and students’ high success rates entering into career jobs and graduate schools.” Program graduates are accepted directly into PhD degree programs. “Students have opportunities to become involved in faculty research and obtain internships at various crime labs, including the FBI. The lab emulates the well-known television series, “CSI”, and features high-powered microscopes, thermal cyclers, and a DNA genetic analyzer. The program prepares graduates for a number of intriguing and high-demand careers: serologist, toxicologist, drug analyst, crime scene technician, trace evidence analyst, fingerprint examiner, and researcher in biotechnology or the pharmaceutical industry. A recent graduate-turned-criminologist, explains: “I utilize the skills and lab techniques that I learned in my everyday work. Bridging my undergraduate education into my master’s degree program in forensic medicine was seamless.”
26%
of FSU’s students are militaryaffiliated 39
Ulysses V. Crawford, a junior Honors student who is majoring in Communication with a Concentration in Multimedia and a Minor in eSports
The Future Is Now: eSports x 2 Comes To FSU By Janet Gibson
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f you are into eSports, or just curious about the gaming industry, you will want to read this story.
“In addition to a new interdisciplinary minor in eSports, which will help prepare FSU students for careers in the multibillion-dollar eSports industry, we also have a brand new gaming facility called Bronco eSports. This facility is designed for gaming practice and tournament play,” says Dr. Todd Frobish, Chair and Professor for the Department of Communication, Languages, and Cultures. Bronco eSports is located in Rosenthal 204 and features 15 Alienware personal computers paired with gaming chairs and headsets. As of press time, a spectator area is being developed.
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“We plan to focus on PC-eligible games for now, including Fortnite and Madden in the spring, and Overwatch and Rocket League in the fall,” says Dr. Frobish, the faculty lead on the initiative. “League of Legends and other games will likely be played throughout the year in small tournaments and university invitationals.” A space in Bronco eSports can be reserved for between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. Visit campus scheduler Dwight Thompson in Rosenthal 215 or email Dr Frobish at tfrobish@uncfsu.edu. Safety, of course, is a top priority, with required face masks and social distancing. The FS&U Magazine
Students are immersed in gaming at the new Bronco eSports space.
To gauge student interest on gaming practice sessions and possible tournament play against other universities, Dr. Frobish has developed a short online form. Please see the link, below. https://tinyurl.com/y2ould3r “We expect to excite current students and draw in new ones,” he says, “as we reaffirm FSU as the place to go for cutting-edge academic programs and new technology.” Some 77% of students identify themselves as gamers, and having a good eSports program can increase enrollment at a university by 5%, according to a recent CIAA webinar on eSports that was attended by Dr. Frobish. One of the students who is especially involved with shaping the FSU eSports vision is Ulysses V. Crawford, a junior Honors student who is majoring in Communication with a Concentration in Multimedia and a Minor in eSports. Ulysses started playing video games at age 6. He began Spring/Fall 2020
producing YouTube videos on games and players before his 11th birthday. By his early teens, he was consulting for eSports organizations about developing teams and global tournaments. In November 2019, Ulysses was asked to accompany a contingent from FSU, including Dr. Peggy Valentine, Interim Chancellor, along with corporate partners from tech giant Dell, to Atlanta for a meeting with Skillshot Media. The exploratory mission not only connected Ulysses with mentors and influential career contacts in the video games industry, but also has been key in the decision to grow eSports at Fayetteville State. Ulysses’ goal is to secure a career in the gaming industry. “There are so many careers available in eSports, from marketing to sales, and communications to events management, he says. “I’m going to be able to do what I really love to do for a living.” 41
coronation
Dabria Bullock, Miss Fayetteville State University, Dr. Peggy Valentine, Interim Chancellor, and Ahmahd Moore, Mr. Fayetteville State University posed together during the 2020-2021 Coronation.
Fayetteville State University’s 2020-2021 Coronation of Miss FSU and Mr. FSU The pandemic changed many things including the timehonored tradition of crowning Miss FSU and Mr. FSU at the university scholarship pageant held in April of each year. Miss FSU and Mr. FSU 2020-2021 fulfilled their roles as university ambassadors and rendered dedicated service to the campus community. However, there was one piece of unfinished business—their official crowning.
Despite not having Homecoming 2020, student leaders decided to hold the annual Coronation for the official crowning of Miss and Mr. FSU. This year’s ceremony was on November 7, 2020 and was hosted on Facebook Live. The evening was themed “Mission Possible”; a fabulous theme for a challenging year with great successes made possible by our students’ dedication, persistence, and hard work.
Dabria Bullock was crowned the 79th Miss Fayetteville State University.
Miss Junior, Vanessa Ward and Mr. Junior, Charles Carter, represented the class of 2022.
Ahmahd Moore was crowned the 26th Mr. Fayetteville State University.
Miss Sophomore, Dayanara Adon and Mr. Sophomore, Caleb Edwards, represented the Class of 2023.
2019-2020 Miss FSU, Asia McNeill and Mr. FSU, William Cumbo, were honored for their service and crowned the new royalty.
Miss Freshman, Angel Richardson and Mr. Freshman, Diamante Johnson, represented the Class of 2024.
Miss Senior, Aselah Greenwood and Mr. Senior, Caleb Heatwole, represented the Class of 2021. 42
While things are certainly different this year, the love and honor for Miss FSU, Mr. FSU and the Royal Court remains unwavering. The FS&U Magazine
looking back
Then & Now
1973
FSU Broncos Basketball Team
2020
Spring/Fall 2020
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Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Fayetteville, NC Permit No. 247
1200 Murchison Road Fayetteville, NC 28301 www.uncfsu.edu
SAVE THE DATE SPRING OPEN HOUSE WEEK
March 22-27, 2021
FOUNDERS DAY
April 6, 2021
COMMENCEMENT
May 8, 2021
HOMECOMING
October 16, 2021 Parade at 10 a.m. Game at 2 p.m. vs. Johnson C. Smith
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