Omega Sweetheart

This unknown beauty was crowned Omega Sweetheart of the 1955/56 school year.

In 1867, seven Black men: Matthew N. Leary, Andrew J. Chesnutt, Robert Simmons, George Grainger, Thomas Lomax, Nelson Carter, and David A. Bryant paid $136 for two lots on Gillespie Street and converted them into a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees to permanently maintain the property as a site for the education of Black children in Fayetteville. The deed was registered on November 29, 1867 by Robert Simmons to the Howard School. General O. O. Howard of the Freedman's Bureau, one of the best-known friends of Black education, erected a building on this site which became known as the Howard School. By an 1877 legislative act, the North Carolina General Assembly provided funds for a Normal School for the education of Black teachers. The Howard School was chosen because of its successful record of academic accomplishment during the previous ten years. It was designated a teacher training institution, and its name was changed to the State Colored Normal School.

In 1969, the institution acquired its present name, "Fayetteville State University," and Dr. Charles "A" Lyons, Jr. succeeded Dr. Rudolph Jones as president of the university. By a legislative act in 1972, Fayetteville State University became a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina System. The legislation also changed the title of the Chief Executive Officer to Chancellor which made Dr. Lyons the first Chancellor of the university. During his tenure, the curriculum was expanded to include a variety of both baccalaureate and master's level programs. In addition, the Fort Bragg-Pope AFB Extension Center in conjunction with the Week-End and Evening College, was established to provide military personnel and other persons working full-time the opportunity to advance their education.

Source: Fayetteville State University