'You are your ancestors’ wildest dreams': Fayetteville State University graduation

More than 1,400 Fayetteville State University students who walked across the stage at Crown Coliseum on Saturday now call themselves proud Bronco alumni.

During the past four years, the class has seen hurricane seasons, a pandemic and three different chancellors, Student Government Association President Sydney Harris said.

“Understand that because we’ve prevailed through these things, we can prevail through anything,” Harris told fellow graduates of the historically Black university. “This moment is a time to reflect on the past four years — reflect on your accomplishments, your development over the years and even your failures.”

Moments before receiving his diploma Tayron Smith, who is originally from Goldsboro, reflected on what led him to Fayetteville State University.

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Smith said he attended the college from 2013 to 2016 but stopped after three years because he became a father.

He said his daughter, now 5, helped inspire him to refocus and return to college in 2019.

“And now I’m here," he said. "I finished. It’s one of my biggest accomplishments for real. A lot of people where I’m from never seen this day.”

Smith graduated with his bachelor’s degree in sports management and plans to be a physical education teacher and basketball coach in Cumberland County.

Like Smith, Christopher Lawrence, originally from Boston, started college several years ago but did not finish at first.

Lawrence attended the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2010 but decided in 2019 to go to attend FSU, which is also in the UNC system.

“I focused on going forward looking at different opportunities in my major,” he said.

Lawrence graduated with a degree in business management and said he is interested in marketing and management for distribution companies like Walmart or Target.

Advice from fellow FSU alumnus

During Saturday's ceremony, Lawrence and other graduates received advice from fellow FSU alumnus Nicholas Perkins, manager of his own company, Perkins Management Co. in addition to Black Titan Franchise Systems, LLC.

Perkins is also the owner of national and international hamburger chain Fuddruckers, after recently acquiring 14 franchises.

He told graduates he sat where they sat 19 years ago waiting for his bachelor’s in administration degree from FSU.

Perkins later earned his master’s from Howard University and was presented with an honorary doctorate from FSU on Saturday.

He asked the graduates to repeat the phrase “I am called, I am capable and I am covered,” which he described as the theme of his address.

A native of Fayetteville, Perkins was raised by a single mother with the help of his grandmother in a housing complex called Elliot Circle off of Murchison Road.

“My mother insisted upon us taking our education seriously and as I grew older, I realized that education truly is the key that can unlock any door,” Perkins said.

Perkins said he learned relationships are powerful, too, when he became best friends with Marcus Shaw while in fourth grade.

Shaw came from a two-parent household, and both of Shaw’s parents were entrepreneurs, Perkins said. “It showed me a different way of life through hard work, dedication and sacrifice,” he said. “The opportunity to create a better life existed even for Black people, and I saw that in the Shaws.”

Perkins credited high school football coaches at E.E. Smith High School for mentoring him to enable him to play football at Fayetteville State University.

While in college, Perkins worked in the cafeteria on the serving line, as a grill cook, a dishwasher and catered events.

“I learned absolutely every aspect of the operation to garner the experience that I would need,” he said.

He also worked as a breakfast cook at a mental health hospital on Roxie Avenue.

Classmates joked that he was like the chef on the cartoon “South Park.”

After college, Perkins said, he started his own company with $2,000 and an American Express card.

It’s since grown into a multi-million dollar contract food service management company, he said.

Perkins said it took him two years to get his first federal contract because he drove to the Pentagon one day after not hearing back from officials at Fort Bragg.

He met with the Army’s small business programs director who made a few calls and directed Perkins to a contracting command in Norfolk, Virginia.

“Broncos don’t give up,” Perkins said. “We don’t take no for an answer. We’re going to press forward no matter what.”

Perkins said he maintained that mindset when making calls for two years to receive his first contract with a HBCU.

He told graduates to not forget “bridges that brought them over,” and credited his team at Perkins Management for helping him acquire Fuddruckers at the age of 41.

Perkins said the acquisition came at a daunting time in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic when he was uncertain about the future of his own company.

“Every single experience that I have gone through and am going through has prepared me for this moment,” Perkins said.

Perkins said the same opportunities are available for graduates who are willing to be dedicated, make sacrifices and put in the effort.

“Make your ancestors proud. You are your ancestors’ wildest dreams. Ensure that the people who died and did not know your name so that you can wear this cap and gown did not sacrifice in vain …,” Perkins said. “You are called, you are capable and you are covered.”

Broncos

Also cheering on graduates on Saturday was FSU Chancellor Darrell Allison.

“Always remember that Broncos always deliver in deeds, not just words,” Allison told graduates.

Jasmine Underwood, who comes from a military family, is heeding the advice.

Underwood is an earth science teacher in Hoke County and earned her master’s degree Saturday for “better opportunities” in the education field.

“I want to be a role model for my students,” she said.

Underwood said she would like to remain in the area teaching students she’s already connected with, along with pursuing the opportunity to work at a community college.

Stacey Palmiter, of Massachusetts, said she also worked toward her degree in Fire and Emergency Services Administration in hopes of furthering her career.

Palmiter already is a civilian firefighter at Fort Bragg.

“It feels really good, I'm the first one in my family to get a bachelor’s degree, so I feel accomplished, and it’ll help further us as firefighters for our future,” she said.

Ashley Phelps, originally from Charlotte, earned her bachelor’s in social work.

She said the degree is a representation of her determination, as adjusting to online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic was at first difficult but was something she worked through.

Phelps hopes to use her degree to work with homeless communities or veterans.

Mechelle Downs, who is originally from Philadelphia, also earned her degree in social work and wants to focus on hospice care.

Downs, 46, previously worked in the corporate sector before attending FSU.

“I’m definitely passionate about advocating for people in the community and those that are underserved,” she said.

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Other graduates recognized during Saturday’s commencement included 449 honor graduates, two Air Force ROTC cadets who commissioned as officers and seven Army ROTC cadets who commissioned as officers.

Shakira and Nadiyah Wilson accepted a master’s degree in business administration on behalf of their late mother, Christine S. Wilson, who died Sept. 12.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: More than 1400 receive diplomas from Fayetteville State University