NCCU Names School of Business Dining Room After Alumni Keith & Marilyn Haywood For $200K Gift
DURHAM, NC — North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has received a transformative $200,000 gift from alumni Keith Haywood (Class of ‘77) and Dr. Marilyn Sutton-Haywood, Ph.D. (Class of ‘75) to benefit the School of Business. In recognition of their generous contribution, the dining room in the School of Business will be named the Keith J. and Dr. Marilyn Sutton-Haywood Dining Room.
The donation will support operations for NCCU’s Hospitality and Tourism Administration program, enhancing opportunities for students to gain hands-on training and expertise in hospitality management. This gift aligns with NCCU’s mission to provide students with transformative experiences and skills to succeed in a competitive global economy.
Keith Haywood, a 1977 graduate, is the president and owner of FDY Inc., a leading food service management company. With over four decades of experience, Haywood has partnered with industry giants such as Marriott Management and Sodexo Management, building innovative ventures across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast. Dr. Marilyn Sutton-Haywood, a 1975 graduate, has been a trailblazer in higher education for more than 40 years, serving in academic and administrative leadership roles at institutions including Kennesaw State University, Bethune Cookman University, and Shaw University.
Both have maintained strong ties with NCCU and are active members of the NCCU Alumni Association Inc.
“Our family is truly blessed and proud to support aspiring students and faculty scholars at North Carolina Central University,” the Haywoods shared. “We hope to inspire students to become leaders and entrepreneurs in the fast-growing hospitality and tourism industry.”
This gift reflects the Haywoods’ enduring commitment to education and their alma mater, reinforcing NCCU’s leadership in preparing students for impactful careers.
About NCCU
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace. Consistently ranked as a top Historically Black College or University, NCCU’s flagship programs in the sciences, education, law, business, nursing and the arts prepare students for professions ranging from clinical research to information science. Founded in 1910, NCCU remains committed to providing access to higher education. With a mission to investigate health disparities, the university’s two state-of-the-art research institutes give students real-world experience working alongside faculty researchers and pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry professionals. The university’s Strategic Plan 2019-2024, Charting a New Landscape for Student-Center Success, focuses on four areas: student access and success; innovation, research, and entrepreneurship; collaboration and partnerships; and institutional sustainability. Visit www.nccu.edu.
Photo courtesy of NCCU