Chancellor Darrell T. Allison, Presiding

September 18, 2026  — 10 a.m.
J.W. Seabrook Auditorium

CONVOCATION ADDRESS

JAMES R. MCPHERSON, JD, MBA, BS ’75

FOUNDER AND CEO, PURPOSE AND LEGACY CENTER

James R. McPherson serves as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Purpose and Legacy Center, a strategy, leadership, performance, and results firm, based in Fort Myers, Florida. In that firm and his predecessor firm, Vision and Destiny Group, he served diverse clients such as Red Hat, Airline MRO Parts, City and County of Durham, North Carolina, Saint Augustine’s College, the University of Tennessee, and the Black Diamond Christian Camp. James conducted workshops on biblical strategy and leadership at the Pan Africa Christian College in Nairobi, Kenya, and taught a year-long course on Christian Leadership for ECWA Theological Seminary in Abuja, Nigeria. Certified as a coach with the International Coaching Federation, James has coached executives, faculty members, managers, pastors, physicians, professionals, and students. He has also provided coaching services for the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC, and Duke Corporate Education in Durham, NC.

In delivering services to clients in 56 countries on five continents, James has had a diverse employment history in multiple disciplines in several organizations. He has worked with four Fortune 500 companies: Carolina Power & Light Company,

IBM, Rohm and Haas, and Scott Paper Company. James worked as an executive in learning and organization development with two large healthcare companies, Carolinas Healthcare System and Duke University Health System. He has served as a corporate attorney in a major law firm and as an associate general counsel with a corporation. James was also a member of the Senior Executive Service with the federal government in Washington, DC and a member of the leadership faculty of the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, Virginia.

While working as an entrepreneur and employee, he served the community on governing and advisory boards. James devoted time and effort to bar associations in Michigan and North Carolina, the Chamber of Commerce in Sanford, Southern Pines, and Pinehurst, North Carolina, the Dean’s Advisory Board at the Broadwell College of Business and Economics at FSU, the PhD Pipeline at Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, the Sanford Rotary, Shaw University Community Advisory Board, the Triangle Organization Development Network, Wachovia Bank in Sanford, the Whole and Intentional Leadership Development Foundation, and the Youth Motivational Task Force at FSU. He also served local churches as a Christian Education Director, Church Planter, Elder, Small Group Leader, Teacher, Trustee, and Youth Director.

A Fayetteville native and a first-generation college graduate, James began his educational career at FSU where received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Graduating with honors at FSU, he served as the Senior Class President, Commander of the 607th AFROTC Detachment, and President of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He later received a fellowship for his Master’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Subsequently, James received his Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC.

THE FAMILY OF THE YEAR

JOHN AND LOUISE WILSON FAMILY

The family of John and Louise Wilson has demonstrated sustained and meaningful engagement with Fayetteville State University through alumni involvement, scholarship support, and community-centered fundraising efforts. Their commitment extends beyond financial contributions and reflects an ongoing desire to remain connected to the university’s mission of advancing educational opportunities for future generations.

Through the establishment and continued support of the John and Louise Wilson Endowed Scholarship, the family has created a lasting connection to Fayetteville State University that directly benefits students. Their efforts have not only honored the legacy of family members who valued education and service but have also strengthened the university community by investing in student success.

In addition, family members have remained actively involved through alumni chapter service, leadership in affiliated organizations, and consistent participation in initiatives that promote Fayetteville State University within the broader community. These efforts reflect a strong spirit of volunteerism, stewardship, and advocacy that continues to elevate the university’s visibility and impact.

Collectively, the family’s involvement demonstrates that their relationship with Fayetteville State University is not limited to past attendance or financial giving alone. Rather, it is an active and enduring partnership rooted in service, pride, and a deep commitment to preserving and advancing the university’s legacy.

Two family members are FSU alumnae. Belinda Pugh graduated from Fayetteville State University in May 1991 with a degree in business administration and a concentration in accounting. She later earned a master’s degree from Bowie State University in May 2002 and retired after a distinguished career as a federal government employee.

Since 2014, she has been a member of the Anne Arundel alumni chapter of Fayetteville State University, where she has chaired the annual crab feast on multiple occasions and currently serves as treasurer.

Patricia Wilson Greene was an educator of Bertie county and retired after several decades of service and sewing into the young lives of the students with the knowledge and gifts that she acquired from Fayetteville State University. She has also created and sustained several businesses in the county that continue to serve the community in ways that allow people to grow, flourish, and have resources that they need.