Secretary Linda Hayes Visits Fayetteville on Education Works Tour

FAYETTEVILLE - Dr. James A. Anderson, Chancellor of Fayetteville State University (FSU) welcomed Linda W. Hayes, Secretary of the NC Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to the campus and to WFSS Radio.

Secretary Hayes travelled to Fayetteville as a part of Governor Perdue's Education Works Tour. Governor Perdue's Cabinet members visited schools, community colleges, universities and other educational facilities to highlight the fundamental rule of economics: "growth requires investment – investing in our students and their future and the future workforce that enables North Carolina to grow." [Gov. Perdue]













Secretary Linda W. Hayes and Chancellor Dr. James A. Anderson

The first stop was at WFSS, 91.9 FM's Morning Edition Program. News Director Kathy Klaus conducted the live, half-hour interview with in-depth questions about education, the House Budget, and the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. With a cumulative audience of over 21,000, Secretary Hayes expressed, "Investing in education is vital to the future of both our children and our state. And FSU is a wonderful example of an institution with a solid foundation of education values which are about providing life-long learning, world-class education and facilities, and community partnerships. From the Early Childhood Education Center, to the MBA Program, the comprehensive approach of inclusion is something special and what North Carolina education is all about."

After a tour of the radio station and student run studio, Secretary Hayes toured one of only two Electron Microprobe Labs in the country, and the amazing Trading Room in the School of Business and Economics. As both an operational research and teaching environment, it exhibits the forward thinking FSU is known for throughout the state and the country. Chancellor Anderson comments, "The readiness of a college or university to confront its 21st century responsibilities is directly correlated with the degree to which it has embedded diversity and globalism into the basic philosophy and infrastructure of the institution."

















Secretary Linda W. Hayes and Dr. Lorenzo M. Boyd address Intro to Law Enforcement class. In addition to Dr. Boyd's educational credits, he is a former Deputy Sheriff in Boston, Mass.

The campus tour was complete with a classroom visit to Dr. Boyd's Intro to Law Enforcement. Secretary Hayes addressed the class and encouraged them to continue with their education while sharing some valuable real-life experiences.

Secretary Linda W. Hayes tours FSU's state of the art Trading Room in the School of Business and Economics with Dr. Petur Jonsson


Dr. Shubo Han shows Secretary Hayes FSU's Electron Microprobe Lab. Dr. Han has recently been awarded the Board of Governor's Teaching Award

After spending time at Fayetteville State University, the tour included a stop at E.E. Smith High School. During that visit, Principal Clinton Robinson conducted a tour of three classrooms. Secretary Hayes spoke with Algebra, History, Computer Science classes, and several students taking classes at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Principal Robinson commented, "E.E. Smith has a rich history and wonderful community support. Along with these important components, we have received funding support that has helped us achieve remarkable, positive results. Cuts to our funding would have lasting and possible generational effects. Our test scores, retention rates, and overall student success is the result of many efforts coming together. From the alumni volunteers to the students working against unfavorable odds, we are succeeding. We are changing lives one student at a time. At E.E. Smith, excellence is standard."


















Alumni Jimmy Harvey and Julian Brown of the Parent Community Outreach Office talk with Secretary Hayes about the importance of volunteers

While visiting the high school, Secretary Hayes met with Alumni volunteers and discussed the highly valued contributions of the National Association of E.E. Smith Alumni and Friends and was honored by being awarded the title of Honorary Alumni. With over 5,000 volunteer hours to its credit, the Association provides day-to-day staff and student support, and scholarships to graduating seniors. While offering support and encouragement for the staff and students, Secretary Hayes stated, "I am truly inspired by what I see here today. Starting with the warm greeting from the alumni volunteers, seeing the posted test results in the lobby, then watching the principal actually teach a class – I know that investing in E.E. Smith is the right thing to do. And the return on the investment is phenomenal. When you meet a team that is so committed to excellence, even to the extent of the principal teaching a class daily to show his dedication to the students -- and leading by example to the staff, then you know we have to continue to invest in our future. Our children deserve the best education possible."

Secretary Hayes answers questions from Mr. Purcell's class

Principal Robinson shares teaching time with Secretary Hayes. In addition to the administrative duties of being principal, Mr. Robinson is completing his PhD. and teaching an Algebra class daily