Mrs. Annette Cluff, Fayetteville State University (FSU) Class of 1970, presented Chancellor James A. Anderson with a gift of $50,000 on behalf of FSU. The gift was presented to Chancellor Anderson by Mrs. Cluff and her husband, Alsie, on July 18, 2009. The gift is the largest single individual donation ever given to the institution from a living alumnus. The Cluff's gift will provide immediate assistance to students, and will establish an endowed scholarship to provide financial support to students in need. The Cluffs made the gift at a gathering in Houston, Texas with fellow classmates in attendance.
The Cluffs have a long history of supporting deserving students in need. They are founders of the Varnett School, a charter school in Houston with three campuses. The school has a student population of nearly 1,500, of which over 90 percent qualify as economically disadvantaged. It has been heralded as a model for charter schools across Texas.
"I am ecstatic to have such a strong relationship with alumni such as the Cluffs & alumni that believe in Fayetteville State University and understand the importance of providing scholarship support to our students," Chancellor Anderson said.
Mrs. Cluff said it was because of Chancellor Anderson she decided to make another gift to FSU. She made a donation in 2005 when her class held its 35th reunion. She said when she heard FSU was getting a new Chancellor she wanted to meet the individual who would lead her alma mater. "I was in North Carolina and I met with Dr. Anderson and he shared his vision for the institution with me," Mrs. Cluff said. "Right then, I knew it was the time for me to give a gift back to the university that had given me so much and give to someone like Dr. Anderson who had a vision and could take the school to another level. Much of my success came from the people at FSU."
Mrs. Cluff said she had anticipated making a larger gift, but the unstable economy prevented her from doing so. Nonetheless, she wanted to show Chancellor Anderson she supported him and what he was doing for FSU.
"Chancellor Anderson is great and I am excited about the direction he is taking the school, and I wanted to give a gift to help with that mission and help the students at the university," she said.
FSU is the second-oldest public institution in North Carolina. A member of the University of North Carolina System, FSU has more than 6,300 students and offers degrees in 67 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. On June 8, 2008, Chancellor Anderson was named the university's 11th chief executive officer.
To learn more about supporting Fayetteville State University, contact Mr. Arthur Affleck III, Vice Chancellor for Development and University Relations, at (910) 672-1339.
