Dr. Willis McLeod, who led Fayetteville State as its first alumnus chancellor, dies

Fayetteville State University announced Friday morning that Dr. Willis B. McLeod has died. The university confirmed the news via Instagram, noting that McLeod was the first person to graduate from the school before later serving as its chief executive.

McLeod earned his degree in 1964. He returned to lead the institution from 1995 to 2003. During those eight years, he focused on increasing student graduation rates and widening access to educational programs. University officials stated that he worked to deepen the relationship between the campus and the surrounding Fayetteville community.

Beyond his administrative role, McLeod was a central figure in local civil rights history. In 1963, he helped organize protests against segregation in the city. In June 2023, he participated in a ceremony to install a historical marker in downtown Fayetteville. The site commemorates the areas where demonstrators gathered during the 1963 movement.

During that 2023 ceremony, McLeod expressed satisfaction that the city was formally recognizing the events of the 1960s. ABC 11 reported that he described himself as proud and happy that the local history was being documented in a public space.

University leaders said they are currently arranging a memorial service. They indicated that further details regarding the date and location will be released once they are finalized.