Fayetteville State University: An HBCU Lifestyle Guide

Fayetteville State University (FSU) is a historically black university in Fayetteville, North Carolina; as a respected school in the coastal south, FSU is also part of the University of North Carolina System and the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. From its rigorous academic programs to the enduring legacy that its founders have left behind, this guide will give you an inside look at the history, people, and culture that make Fayetteville State one of the best public HBCUs in the region.

Quick Facts

• Location: 1200 Murchison Rd, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301-4298
• Phone: (910) 672-1111
• Website: https://www.uncfsu.edu
• Type: 4-year, Public
• Colors: White and Blue
• Motto: Deeds not Words
• Campus housing: Yes
• Student population: 6,226 (5,393 undergraduate)
• Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1

Student Life

• Campus Events: Homecoming, Founders Day, Chancellor For A Day, Mr. FSU and Miss FSU Pageants
• Greek Organizations: Yes
• Mascot: The Fayetteville State Broncos
• Athletic Association: CIAA & NCAA Division II
• Athletic Programs: Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Track, Volleyball, Softball, Tennis, & Bowling

Fayetteville & The FSU Campus

Fayetteville State is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina’s most inland port. The FSU campus is in the heart of the city, with updated classrooms and state-of-the-art facilities for students, faculty, and researchers. Fayetteville is also 50 miles away from Raleigh and less than 100 miles away from Wilmington and the Atlantic Ocean; FSU students are within driving distance of many of the beaches, mountains, and cities in the coastal south, and they participate in a wide range of cultural and recreational activities in the area. There are multiple events for them to choose from, including the mid-April Dogwood Festival and Parade, exhibits at the Museum of Cape Fear, and performances at the John F. Kennedy Center.

Fayetteville State University History

Fayetteville State was founded in 1867 when seven black men paid $136 for two lots in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The founders (David A. Bryant, Nelson Carter, Andrew J. Chesnutt, George Grainger, Matthew Leary. Thomas Lomax, and Robert Simmons) named their institution the Howard School and dedicated their resources to the education of black children.

In 1877, the Howard School became the first state-sponsored institution for the education of African-American teachers in the South. By 1939, its name was changed to Fayetteville State Teachers College, and thirty years later, it would finally become known as Fayetteville State University.

University Admissions & Academic Programs

Fayetteville State offers a world-class education to undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states. With 43 bachelor’s degree programs, 23 master’s degree programs, and a doctoral program in education leadership, it’s no wonder that FSU consistently ranks among the nation’s top producers of African-American baccalaureate and master’s graduates.

The admissions process is flexible, and admissions representatives are trained to find, recruit, and uplift the next generation of African-American and minority leaders. With a 60% admissions rate and financial aid for disadvantaged candidates, FSU has plenty of opportunities for aspiring students who want to make their mark on the world.

Fayetteville State University Athletics

As part of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), Fayetteville State University Athletics has a wide range of NCAA sports that students can participate in. With men’s football, basketball, cross country, track, volleyball, softball, tennis, and bowling teams, the Fayetteville State Broncos have one of the most diverse Division II programs in the state.

Notable University Alumni

Fayetteville State University’s notable alumni include:

• Darrell Armstrong attended Fayetteville State University from 1988-1991, where he played basketball and football in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). After graduating from FSU, Armstrong built a successful career in the NBA as a player and a coach.
• Affion Crockett is an actor, musician, and comedian from Fayetteville, North Carolina. He graduated from FSU with a degree in business and went on to star in feature films and sketch comedy shows on the small screen.
• Blenda Gay played football at FSU; he left school to join the NFL and played for the San Diego Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970s.
• Michelle S. Jones graduated cum laude and went on to become the first woman in the United States Army Reserve to attain the rank of command sergeant major. At one point in her distinguished career, Jones was the highest-ranking African-American woman in the United States military and the highest-ranking African-American member of the Army Reserve.

Source: Fayetteville State University