Up & Coming Weekly

October 04, 2022

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM OCTOBER 5 - 11, 2022 UCW 57 FSU officially installs Darrell Allison as chancellor by MICHAEL FUTCH, CityView Today After 19 months on the job, Darrell T. Allison was officially installed as the 12th chancellor in the long history of Fayetteville State University on Sept. 23. FSU is the second-oldest public university in North Carolina. e two-hour ceremony, which was attended by roughly 2,500 people, was held at Felton J. Capel Arena on campus. Allison spoke reverently of the seven leaders of Fayetteville's African American community who in 1867 established the Howard School for the purpose of educating Black children. e Howard School would evolve into Fayetteville State University and become part of the University of North Carolina System in 1972. Peter Hans, president of the UNC System, presided over the ceremony. Allison, 50, also acknowledged the university's beginnings. "So today, I speak the names of David Bryant, Nelson Carter, Andrew Jackson Chesnutt, George Grange Sr., Matthew Leary Jr., omas Lomax and Robert Simmons," he said of the seven founders of the Howard School. "ese men are the shoulders upon which I stand before you today." Eight minutes into the opening pro- cession, Allison walked slowly down the center aisle of the FSU gym before finding his place at the front of the stage. All the while, hoots, howls and applause erupted from the audience showing appreciation for the chancel- lor. FSU student Shaun McNeill played the National Anthem with some im- provisational runs on his saxophone. e crowd loved it. e FSU Concert Choir also performed. "Fayetteville State University is a special place," Hans said. "It's unique in its mission in transforming students into exceptional leaders ready to make a significant impact. Today, we gather for the investiture ceremony for the leader who will continue this rich tra- dition. In doing so, (he will) deploy his talents to make FSU an educational powerhouse and produce 21st-centu- ry leaders." e crowd included some members of the UNC Board of Governors; chan- cellors and presidents of other N.C. institutions; local state lawmakers; former FSU chancellors; and current FSU faculty and staff members. "You have done much in your first academic school year at our beloved university," said Maya Martin, presi- dent of the FSU Student Government Association. Among other initiatives, she said, Allison has appointed a dynamic staff, built infrastructure, promoted economic development, and pursued initiatives and new partnerships. "We are grateful and confident this amazing work will continue that the students need at the forefront of their minds," Martin said. "Broncos near and far are counting on you." Allison spoke proudly of the part- nerships the university has created under his watch with Fayetteville Technical Community College, Cumberland County Schools, Fort Bragg, Cumberland Community Foundation and Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Building partnerships in the com- munity is always happening, he said. "And if Fayetteville State University continues to do so, we will continue to be the best we can be. For our stu- dents, this community, this region and our state," Allison said. Hans concluded with a challenge to FSU and its new chancellor. "Chancellor Allison, this is your time. Fayetteville State, this is your time. Bronco pride. We're all feeling it." With that, the band kicked into a Dixieland-style spin on "Give Me at Old Time Religion" as faculty and staff members and others marched out of the gymnasium. Allison waved to the crowd, a huge smile on his face. BEST Local Non Pro t Organization Thank You For Voting Us Thank you for the recognition & support. We especially thank all our local Volunteers and our many Pastors, Missionaries and Volunteers worldwide. We are blessed to do HIS work in the USA and abroad. 2770 Breezewood Avenue • Fayetteville, NC 28303 910-864-3991 HisOutreachWorldwide.org B E S T O F T H E B E S T 2022 Local Non Pro t Organization Local Non Pro t Organization Local Non Pro t Organization EDUCATION MICHAEL FUTCH, CityView Today. COMMENTS? editor@upandcomingweekly. com. 910-484-6200. Darrell T. Allison

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