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FSU Chancellor Installation: Fayetteville State University celebrates official installation of Chancellor Darrell T. Allison, J.D.

By Faith Hatton, posted Oct 13, 2022 on BizFayetteville.com

Photo provided by: FSU

Fayetteville State University faculty, students and academic supporters all gathered together on Sept. 23 to officially welcome the institution’s 12th Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, Darrell T. Allison, J.D. 

Despite originally having to postpone his Installment Ceremony due to COVID-19, Allison took on the positions on March 15, 2021. Now, after 19 months serving as chancellor and CEO, Allison was able to receive the Chancellor’s Medallion and publicly thank supporters who have helped with the development of some of the University’s biggest achievements in 2022. 

Allison received words of support from state and county education representatives, City of Fayetteville leaders, and FSU students, alumni, and faculty who have been working with him thus far. 

For his Installation Address, Allison took time to thank close friends and family, honor the founders of the University, and speak on how he decided what to say during the ceremony. 

“At the beginning of 2022, I felt very strongly, and wrote that for Fayetteville State, it was our time, ‘time for renewal and great expectations. Time to quicken the mind, reviving the resolve, it makes goals, once dormant and distant, feel attainable once again,’” said Chancellor Allison. “I went on to write: ‘We are mending what is broken, we are augmenting what we have while also breaking new ground. These are the steps of growth, these are the signs of renewal. Fayetteville State University, this is our time.’”

Allison took the opportunity to focus on the achievements of the University instead of speaking on his own personal stories and experiences.

“We fully understand that our first calling is to our students, and ensuring that we have the best faculty to educate them, and we do,” said Allison. “No doubt, I’m proud of the fact that we are one of the most affordable universities in the nation, we’re proud of the fact that we have just experienced the largest enrollment numbers in over 20 years, we’re proud of the fact that our faculty is working to have highly desirable degrees in cybersecurity, supply chain and construction management, these are all important and will continue to be a priority for this administration.” 

Notable accomplishments during Allison’s tenure include: Fayetteville State University joining the NC Promise Tuition Plan, which uses state funding to subsidize tuition costs for enrolled students and reduced college costs. Launching the 30-60-90 Free Summer School Program to provide free summer school classes to undergraduates to help students graduate on time. 

Securing a historic $175 million state budget appropriation in 2022 to rejuvenate the FSU campus including campus wide repairs, the building of new residence halls, moving the University Health and Wellness Center to campus and other improvements. 

Overseeing the designation of Fayetteville State University as a Purple Heart University, thus making FSU the first in the University of North Carolina System to receive the honor for supporting veterans and their families.

Investing in a 21st-century model for Career Services, with a goal of FSU students securing more than 750 paid internships by 2024 and providing them with resources to better prepare them for the workforce.

FSU partnering with Fayetteville Technical Community College to offer the FTCC Keen Scholarship, an award that provides two years of free tuition at FSU to qualified FTCC students who earn their associate degree at FTCC. The scholarship will take effect this fall, with nearly 100 “Keen’s scholars” expected to join the student body.

The debt free acquisition of “Bronco Square” and opening the Fayetteville-Cumberland Regional Entrepreneur and Business Hub to help build small businesses and entrepreneurial engagement in Fayetteville, Cumberland county and surrounding counties. 

Allison also addressed the need to continue to support the surrounding community as well as FSU moving forward. 

“Fayetteville State University also has also set a new course. We have a responsibility in the community in which this campus is located. Our local and regional governments are depending upon us to do and support and do as we can,” said Allison. 

Allison also spoke on the most recent scholarship opportunity through the Cumberland County Foundation. Fayetteville State University partnered with CCF to offer the CCF- FSU Cumberland First Scholar Initiative, a partnership created to provide free summer school to local students. The award will provide $580,060 in scholarships paid over three academic years: 2023/24, 2024/25, 2025/26, through funding from the Community Scholarship Endowment of the foundation. 

The campus is expected to see even more improvements and projects in the coming years, Chancellor Allison spoke on upcoming projects and additions, some of which have already begun their first stages of development.

The Installation Ceremony was the first of several events held from Sept. 23- 25 including an Installation Ball, Military Appreciation Football game, and a Gospel Comedy Celebration. 

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