Major Gifts

Mel Ott Battle and Victor Pace

Mel Ott Battle

FSU Class of 1967, feels that giving back to the university that gave so much to him is an important part of being an alum. He recently joined the Bronco Legacy Circle as a way of making a planned gift to the university.

“My philosophy is this -- I believe you should come back and give back ... I feel that everyone should try to come back and support the university because I believe very strongly that those who came there wouldn’t be where they are without that background,” Battle said.

Battle graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education. He taught for 11 years and then became a school administrator and high school principal, working with students from elementary school through high school.

For Battle, Fayetteville State is sort of a family tradition. His uncle, aunt, two sisters, a daughter, his first wife who has since passed away, and two cousins all attended Fayetteville State. His family has been active in supporting and serving the university. Near the Luther “Nick” Jeralds Football Stadium sits a table donated by the Battle family with their names engraved on it.

“I went to Fayetteville State basically, it was a family tradition. It’s responsible for what I was able to accomplish, what I am today,” Battle said. “I’ve always been a supporter, my family has always been supporters ... I have always felt the need to give support. When I learned about the Bronco Legacy Circle, that just gave me another way to support.”

Battle stressed the importance of giving back to your alma mater. He encouraged anyone who can give to do so, no matter the avenue.

“The more you can give your school system, the better they can be. Tuition, grants, federal money, state money, that’s not always enough to provide opportunities to students. I think it’s imperative for graduates to give back, not one year, but every year. That is how you make opportunities available … if that philosophy is developed by more graduates, you can sustain that in the future,” Battle said.

Like other members of the Bronco Legacy Circle, Battle will receive a bronze medallion and will be recognized at an annual luncheon hosted by the Chancellor, FSU Leadership, and student leadership. He will also have his name engraved on the Bronco Legacy Wall, located in the newly renovated lobby of the J.W. Seabrook Auditorium.

Battle is married to Shelbia. His first wife, Clydia, also an FSU graduate, passed away in 1989. He has five children, one of which passed away five years ago. He also has seven grandchildren. Battle spends much of his spare time serving as chairman of Deeds, a non-profit group. 



Victor Pace

graduated from FSU in 1994 and was excited to   come back to serve as the Director of Alumni Affairs from 2006 to 2009 and is now the new Director of Advancement Services. His love for the university showed as a student, alumni, employee, and now shows through a gift of support. Pace recently joined the Bronco Legacy Circle by making a planned gift to the university.

The Bronco Legacy Circle was designed to honor those who make planned gifts to the university. Planned gifts are deferred gifts that allow people to donate through ways other than outright cash. Planned gifts include appreciated stock, real estate, Charitable Lead and Charitable Remainder Trusts, annuities or a bequest they leave in their will. Pace made the decision to make a planned gift because he felt that the university had given him so much and he wanted to be able to give back.

“Aside from the key patriarchal – matriarchal family influences in my life, Fayetteville State University is the source that poured into me a belief that I could achieve any goal that I set my sights on,” Pace said. “If someone or something pours into you, I feel that I am obligated to give back so that another can experience this great institution ...  For me it was important to show that all alumni can make a difference today.”

Like other members of the Bronco Legacy Circle, Pace will receive a bronze medallion and will be recognized at an annual luncheon hosted by the Chancellor, FSU Leadership, and student leadership. He will also have his name engraved on the Bronco Legacy Wall, located in the newly renovated lobby of the J.W. Seabrook Auditorium.
 
Pace enjoys being back at Fayetteville State and enjoys meeting and working with the alumni. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with loved ones and friends.