Ben Brown honored as trustee emeritus at Fayetteville State University
Ben Brown Jr. has been honored as trustee emeritus of Fayetteville State University’s board of trustees, the college said in a release.
Brown, who served on FSU’s board of trustees from 2003 to 2011 — including two years as board chairman — was honored during the board’s meeting in June. The position recognizes a former member of the FSU board over age 65 who has rendered exceptional service to the university, the release states.
Brown is the sixth person to be named trustee emeritus.
“Ben Brown is a shining example of a visionary and strategic leader in higher education, especially at Fayetteville State University,” Glenn Adams, chairman of FSU’s board of trustees, said in the release. “Not only did he help usher in one of the university’s best programs as one of the first MBA graduates, he returned to teach in the Broadwell College of Business and Economics, helping shape future leaders in the classroom through his own experiences. That kind of learning is invaluable for our students as they pursue their own business degrees. We’re glad to have him back on campus any time.”
Brown also served on the Chancellor’s Search Committee, the Business and Finance Committee and the Governance Committee. For his outstanding service to FSU, he has received two Chancellor’s Medallions, the first in 2003 and the second in 2013, the release said.
Brown earned his MBA in 1989 as a member of FSU’s inaugural MBA class. He earned a master’s degree in education administration at FSU in 1991.
He is chairman of the Broadwell College of Business and Economics Advisory Board and the FSU Foundation Inc.
Following his military service, Brown spent several years in local government until retiring in 2009. He worked in Greensboro and also served as an assistant city manager for Fayetteville.
Cumberland County Schools employee honored
Carson Phipps, Cumberland County Schools Career and Technical Education coordinator, recently received an honorary state Future Farmers of America degree — the highest degree the North Carolina FFA can award.
The presentation was made during the 93rd North Carolina FFA State Convention on June 22 in Raleigh. The North Carolina FFA Association board of directors recognized the honorary state FFA degree recipients from 2020, 2021 and 2022.
"We are proud of Carson and his service to the North Carolina FFA Association," said Chip Lucas, the school system’s Career and Technical Education executive director.
Fayetteville State’s Chesnutt Library receives COVID relief fund grant
Fayetteville State University’s Charles W. Chesnutt Library will use a recently awarded $20,000 grant from the American Library Association COVID Library Relief Fund to develop a lending program that allows students to check out laptops for use on- and off-site, the university said in a release.
The library is one of three grantees in North Carolina, the release said.
“This funding is essential in helping the Chesnutt Library provide greater access to the technology and resources our students need to be successful,” Monica Leach, FSU provost and senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, said in the release. “The library's technology lending program is an important next step that I am sure our students will appreciate and benefit from greatly.”
The pandemic highlighted the need for mobile accessibility, the release said. Institutions of higher education are expanding virtual and remote learning options, which require more and stronger technology and technical infrastructure, the release said. The grant will allow libraries to offer that extra layer of support.
"We truly appreciate the continued, generous support from Acton Family Giving to help so many libraries provide needed services to traditionally underserved communities across the country,” Patty Wong, president of the American Library Association, said in the release. "These grants will allow so many libraries to have a critical impact on those who depend on them during these challenging times."
