Alumni Awards & Recognitions

Every year, Alumni Relations upholds the annual tradition of crowning Mr. or Ms. Alumni and recognizing the Family of the Year. These traditions highlight FSU alumni that are active within the Bronco community and within their own communities. 

Family of the Year Award

For nearly 40 years, alumni of Fayetteville State University have participated in the selection of the FSU Family of the Year. This high honor recognizes multi-generational families who continue to exemplify FSU’s motto: Res Non Verba. Deeds Not Words. The families selected over the past four decades continue to support and enhance FSU through their great efforts. These selfless acts include volunteerism, advocacy, and giving back to FSU through a variety of means.

Family of the Year Nomination Form (PDF)

2025 Family of the Year - The McLean Family

Robert Lee McLean has lived a life of dedication to education, service, and fraternity. A native of Erwin, North Carolina, he was lovingly raised by his grandparents, the late Roberta and James Harrison McLean. He received his early education in the Harnett County Public Schools and graduated in 1957 from Harnett High School in Dunn, North Carolina, where he was a member of the Crown and Scepter Club, National Honor Society.

Following high school, Robert enrolled at Fayetteville State Teachers College (now Fayetteville State University), where he graduated in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. In the spring of 1960, he was initiated into Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Pi Chapter, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to Sigma. His passion for the fraternity was immediate—he attended his first Conclave in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1961, and has participated in most Conclaves since.

Robert McLean’s service to Sigma spans more than six decades. At the national, regional, and state levels, he has served with distinction, including as Treasurer, Secretary, and Chairman of the Necrology and Rededication Committees of the Southeastern Region. He also conducted Music and Financial Workshops, and served two terms as North Carolina State Director, as well as Treasurer and Director of Collegiate Affairs. A charter member of Eta Theta Sigma Chapter in Jacksonville, North Carolina, he was instrumental in creating the Sigma Scholars Recognition Program, which honored outstanding young men in area high schools.

His leadership extended beyond the fraternity into the wider community. Robert chaired the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in partnership with his church, and he has long served as a delegate to church, educational, and fraternity conferences—often at his own expense. His contributions also include active service in his community, working weekly with homeless shelters, supporting his church ministries, his Fayetteville State Alumni Association, and Retired Educators’ organizations (OCAE, NCAE, NEA).  

Robert is a member of St. Julia A.M.E. Zion Church, Jacksonville, NC.  He is a member of the Trustee Board, Men of Zion, and the Male Chorus.  He has served on various committees in his over 55 years as a member of the church.  

Professionally, Robert gave 34 years of his life to education, teaching in the public schools of Wilmington, Delaware, and Jacksonville, North Carolina. Through his career, he touched countless young lives, instilling the values of education and character. Many former students have returned to thank him for the impact he made on their futures, a testament to his lasting influence as an educator and mentor.

Family has always been central to Mr. McLean’s journey. He is married to Marian Patricia McPherson, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Together, they are the proud parents of Sonja Z.M Williams and Roderick Maurice McLean.  They are also blessed with 5 grandchildren, and one great grandson.  

Robert has been recognized for his work in education, the community, school, and the Fraternity; however, his proud to have been inducted into the Distinguished Service Chapter (#188), the highest honor bestowed by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. This distinction reflects his lifelong devotion to the fraternity’s guiding principles of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service.

Today, Robert Lee McLean remains a tireless servant-leader, mentor, and advocate for education, fraternity, and community. 

Marian Patricia “Pat” McPherson McLean is a woman whose life has been defined by giving, service, and love for others. Known for her kind and generous spirit, she is always willing to help anyone in need, encourage young people to be their best, and bring comfort to the sick and shut-in. Her compassion reflects her belief that no one should suffer alone.

Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Pat is the eldest child of the late Lee Alton and Alice Lee Williams McPherson. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Fayetteville State University, home of the Mighty Broncos, and later completed her Master of Arts degree in Educational Media from North Carolina Central University in Durham. She dedicated 30 years to education in Cumberland, Johnston, Jones, and Onslow counties, with the last 25 years of her career spent as a Media Specialist at Jacksonville High School. Even in retirement, she remains connected to education as Secretary of the Onslow County Unit of the Retired School Personnel.

A devoted servant of God, Pat is an active member of St. Julia AME Zion Church, where she faithfully serves as a choir member, class leader, deaconess, assistant Sunday School teacher, missionary, and President of the Lay Council. She has also served as a Past President of the New Bern District Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society and worked as part of the Presiding Elder’s Administrative Staff.

Her dedication to service extends into her beloved sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Pat became a member of Omega Beta Chapter in 1960 while at Fayetteville State University and has been a proud Zeta for more than 60 years. A charter member of Mu Lambda Zeta Chapter, she is regarded as the matriarch and guiding voice of her chapter, serving in numerous roles including Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, and Blue Revue Chairperson. Though never chapter president, her wisdom and presence have been pivotal—when she speaks, others listen. She was honored as Zeta of the Year in both 1996 and 2020.

Pat’s impact has been recognized widely. She has received awards from the Council for the Arts, St. Julia AME Zion Church, the Northeast Community Development Corporation, and has been honored as a Community Pioneer.

At the heart of her legacy is her family. She shares 62 years of marriage with her husband, Robert L. McLean, a retired educator and proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Together they raised two children: Roderick M. McLean, Vice President and General Manager at Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA, and Sonja M. Williams, a retired music teacher and certified group fitness instructor. She is the proud grandmother of five and great-grandmother of one, and she delights in traveling to spend time with them whenever she can.

To all who know her—as mother, sister, aunt, friend, confidante, or mentor—Marian Patricia McPherson McLean is truly a woman of many gifts. She loves her family, church, university, and sorority, and her life stands as an inspiring example of service, leadership, and unwavering faith.

2024 Family of the Year - The Hamer Family

Fayetteville State University excitingly announced the Hamer Family as the 2024 Family of the Year during Fall Convocation: Celebration of our Founders ceremony on Sept. 19 in J.W. Seabrook Auditorium. As multigenerational Broncos, the Hamer Family’s FSU legacy spans from the class of 1949 to 2022. 

Dr. Aljanal “Nel” Hamer Carroll ’94, Ty Hamer-Yelverton ’22, Bettye Gillespie Hamer and Deborah Hamer Skyes on behalf of parents Forrest T. Hamer and Bertha Barnes Hamer ‘49 accepted the award during the event.

Forrest T. Hamer, who attended Fayetteville State Teachers College from 1948 to 1951, met Bertha on campus. As a student, Bertha served in several student leadership role at the FSU Sunday School, president of the Drama Guild, as editor-in-chief of The Voice student newspaper and student council. At 19, she became FSU’s youngest alumna and was also a charter member of the Gold-Wayne Alumni Chapter in 1963.

Alton Hamer followed his brother, Forrest, to Fayetteville State Teachers College and enrolled in 1960. He met his wife, Bettye Gillespie Hamer at FSU in 1961. Their daughter, Nel Hamer Carroll, would attend Fayetteville State University and graduate nearly 30 years later.

Carroll earned her bachelor’s in accounting and economics at FSU in 1994. Carroll’s involvement as a student and alumna are extensive including Miss Gospel Choir ’91, Miss Harris Hall ’93, Senior Class Vice President ’93-'94 and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Fall ’93. Currently, she is an FSU National Alumni Association (FSUNAA) Life Member, President of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Alumni Chapter, and 2nd Vice President of the FSUNAA.

Ty Hamer-Yelverton, Bertha and Forrest’s grandson, earned a bachelor’s degree in education. He was also immensely engaged as an FSU student serving in several leadership roles such as editor of The Voice’s Arts & Culture section, president of the NAACP’s FSU chapter for 2019–2021, vice president of the Future Educators’ Club of the Student North Carolina Association of Educators, and senator and class president of the Student Government Association.

The Family of the Year recognition is a testament to the Hamer family's unwavering dedication to FSU and its values. Their commitment to higher education and community building resonates with FSU's mission and serves as an inspiration to current and future generations of Bronco family members.

FSU is honored to recognize the Hamer family as the Family of the Year and is grateful for their continued support and contributions to the university. Congratulations to the Hamer Family on this well-deserved recognition.

2025–2026 FSUNAA Ms Alumni winner is Cathy Waddell

Dr. Cathy B. Waddell matriculated at FSU and graduated with a BS English Literature degree in 1976 and a Masters of School of Administration degree in 2003. Dr. Waddell is a member of the Cumberland County Alumni Chapter of Fayetteville State University's National Alumni Association and currently serves as the Benevolence Chairman.

"What I enjoy most about being the Fayetteville State University Alumni Queen is the chance to represent the heart and soul of Bronco Nation. Every moment I get to connect with fellow alumni, students, and supporters reminds me of how powerful our FSU bond truly is. I love celebrating our shared history, uplifting our future, and showing that once a Bronco, always a Bronco! Wearing this crown is more than a title—it’s a symbol of service, pride, and the unshakable spirit that Fayetteville State instills in all of us."

Dr. Waddell was born to Luther Boykin and the late Doris Pridgen Boykin and the stepdaughter to Bonnie Boykin. She marries (USAF Retired) TSgt Neil Waddell. She is the mother of R. Korey Gay (wife, Charity) daughter of the late Sunshyne Gay Jacobs, grandmother to Brooke Love Jacobs and the late Allen Jacobs. She is a current member of the Fayetteville State University Foundation Board, a member at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church where she is a choir member. Dr. Waddell's hobbies and interests include community service, shopping and traveling.

Congratulations to the National Alumni Association’s 2025-2026 Alumni Queen, Dr. Cathy B. Waddell. Our runner-up is Shamica Dawes and the second runner-up is Phyllis Goodman.

The 2025-2026 Mr./Miss FSU Alumni Contest raised $64,124.72 towards the Fayetteville State University National Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment.