Matching Gift Yields $50,000 for Fayetteville State University’s College of Business

The gift will establish the Family Fare Endowed Entrepreneurship Program Fund.  The gift is the result of an agreement among the nine Family Fare franchisees of the greater Fayetteville region, as a part of Family Fare's Shared Purpose Initiative.  This contribution has been matched by donations from other sources, yielding a total pledged contribution of $50,000. In addition, impressed with the level of education being offered by the CBE, Dr. Barnes was also able to secure a supplementary first-year matching gift of $5,000 from Altria.The College of Business and Economics was nominated to receive this donation by franchise owner David Wogbedi, a recent CBE graduate (owner of the Coliseum Family Fare Franchise in Fayetteville). Other contributing franchisees included: Jennifer Ivey - Plaza Family Fare in Dunn; Kulananda Sharma - Newton Grove Family Fare; Sarah Bordeaux - Eastern Blvd. Family Fare; Naveed Syed - Haymount Family Fare; Nadeem Syed - Cliffdale Family Fare; Matthews Varghese - Hwy 42 Family Fare in Garner; Dorian O'Neal - Ponderosa Family Fare; Alfonso Hurtado - Rowan Family Fare; Ron Brewington - Benson Family Fare; and Zubair Syed - Owen Village Family Fare.Jackson, Dean of the College of Business and Economics, noted that the Business School is extremely grateful for this generous gift from the regional franchisees of Family Fare Convenience Stores.  The funds will be used in collaboration with funding received from the U.S. Department of Commerce to establish an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub that will serve as a co-working space and training ground for FSU students interested in launching entrepreneurial ventures.Family Fare Convenience Stores, a franchise-retailer in business since 1936, is headquartered in Durham and has 89 locations throughout North Carolina.Located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Fayetteville State University (FSU) is a public university offering degrees at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. Students enjoy nationally-ranked degree programs, a variety of class choices, excellent teaching, and small classes with professors who have outstanding credentials. As a member of the University of North Carolina system, and with more than 6,300 students, FSU provides students an exceptional, affordable, college experience; a connection to career aspirations; and a close-knit, supportive community centered on students' success.For more information, call (910) 672-1474.