FSU and the Department of Criminal Justice dedicates lecture room to 1991 Alum, Wayne E. Branch
posted by DorMiya Vance | November 9, 2021 | In NewsOn November 5, Fayetteville State University recognized one of their own, Mr. Wayne E. Branch, FSU class of 1991. FSU and its Department of Criminal Justice held a dedication ceremony in honor of Mr. Branch in Lauretta Taylor Building (Room 320), allocating a lecture room in his name as a celebration of what Mr. Branch has contributed to FSU over the years.
The dedication ceremony opened with a few remarks from Mr. Bruce Rosengrant, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement. Mr. Rosengrant introduced Chancellor Darrell T. Allison, Fayetteville State University Chancellor, for his comments and welcoming of FSU Stakeholders and staff.
“I’ve gotten to know Mr. Branch and his good work. I’ve been chancellor for seven months, and there’s a couple of people I’ve gotten to get to know. They like to use these two phrases: I’ma and I’da,” Chancellor Allison expressed. “Wayne Branch is not an I’ma-and-I’da leader. He’s a get-it-done leader. This young man has given to FSU close to $120,000.”
Chancellor Allison closed his remarks by praising Mr. Branch and all his contributions to FSU and the Department of Criminal Justice.
“He’s not a bigger talker, but a walker. The work speaks. I appreciate [Mr. Branch] for not talking so much but walking so much. The seeds you are sowing will generate so much power and give so much more to generations to come,” Chancellor Allison said.
Dr. Sarah Brightman, Department Chair of Criminal Justice, spoke next and gave the specs of the new and improved Wayne E. Branch Lecture Room.
“We are so honored and thankful for this donation. Mr. Branch has done some amazing things in life, and we are proud to have graduates like that,” Dr. Brightman expressed. “A little bit about the classroom, the ceiling was not here before. It was open ductwork that itself made it a very noisy room. Thanks to the generous donation, we have a ceiling, carpets are all-new, TVs all around the room, and whiteboards—a real active way of learning.”
Next came the big moment for Mr. Wayne E. Branch. Mr. Branch, alongside his wife, Anita, and Chancellor Allison, cut the ribbon for the Wayne E. Branch Lecture Room and declared it ready for use.
Mr. Branch stepped to the podium to thank and speak about his experiences at FSU.
“It is truly about service and giving back. I say to you, humbly, thank you. I felt that as a result of Fayetteville State giving me some much, I had to give back once I graduated and went on to continue my education and my career in law enforcement. In all of my walks in life, I have never forgotten about FSU,” Mr. Branch said.
The ceremony concluded with a final round of applause for Mr. Branch and the Department of Criminal Justice.
Mr. Branch attributes his generous spirit to his upbringing and religious faith.
“My parents taught us to always be a giver. Don’t be a taker. Give back to those things that give you so much. I started giving back to the university by way of big and small donations, participating in different events, just being involved,” Mr. Branch expressed, “I didn’t give with the intent of looking for anything in return, but today has truly been amazing. The feeling is somewhat beyond explainable, but I know that how God works.”
Mr. Branch graduated from FSU in 1991 with a B.S. degree in criminal justice with a desire to serve in law enforcement. In 2007, Mr. Branch was inducted into the FSU Hall of Fame for his football career. Mr. Branch is also a retired owner and operator of Large and Small Graphics, LLC in Raleigh, NC.
Mr. Branch currently serves as a District Five Duplin County Commissioner and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
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