Broadwell Brothers Donate $500,000 to Fayetteville State University College of Business and Economics to be Named for Their Parents
Fayetteville State University (FSU) Chancellor James Anderson announced today a gift of $500,000 by brothers Dohn Jr., Charles and Richard Broadwell in memory of their parents, Dohn B. Broadwell Sr. and Charlotte L. Broadwell. Dohn Sr. was a residential developer in Cumberland County for more than 60 years. He died in 2017. Charlotte Broadwell was a member of the family that owned The Fayetteville Observer for more than 90 years. She died in 1996.
The gift will be used to support the College of Business and Economics for funding scholarships, the Center for Entrepreneurship and a speaker's series. In honor of the gift, the College of Business and Economics will be named the Broadwell College of Business and Economics.
"I am extremely grateful to the Broadwell family for their generosity," Anderson said. "This donation not only will provide tremendous support for our world-class College of Business, but also will allow us to offer scholarships to deserving students, expose them to renowned scholars and speakers and further develop our Center for Entrepreneurship. I could not be more pleased that this highly respected Fayetteville family has made this commitment to FSU and its future."
The Broadwell brothers said the gift reflects their parents' lifelong efforts to help the community grow and prosper.
"The College of Business and Economics is a shining star of excellence for Fayetteville State University and our region of the state. Under the leadership of Chancellor Anderson and the faculty, it has earned the reputation as a hub of innovation and growth, and more and more students are going on after graduation to make their mark in a variety of business fields. We're pleased to be able to honor our parents with this gift in their memory," the brothers said in a statement.
The Broadwell and Lilly families have a long and storied history with FSU. Lilly Gymnasium on the FSU campus was constructed in 1938 and named in honor of Dr. H.W. Lilly, secretary-treasurer of the school's Board of Trustees. Lilly was the grandfather of Charlotte Broadwell and great-grandfather of the Broadwell brothers.
In 2005, The Fayetteville Publishing Company Board of Directors, owners of The Fayetteville Observer, and family members established The Fayetteville Observer Scholarship in the amount of $20,000. Additional donations increased the amount to $50,000. Three years later in 2008, Charles Broadwell established the 1867 Endowed Scholarship Fund in the amount of $50,000.
Fayetteville State University is a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina and the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state, having been founded in 1867. FSU offers degrees at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. With more than 6,200 students, Fayetteville State University is among the most diverse institutions in the nation. Chancellor James A. Anderson is the 11th chief executive officer.