From the Desk of the President

Dear FVSUNAA Family,

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the 28th National President of the Fort Valley State University National Alumni Association, Inc. As we look ahead, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and excitement for the future of our beloved alumni association. Our foundation is strong, built upon the legacy of generations before us, and it is our collective responsibility to continue their work and ensure that we are leaving a legacy of our own for future Wildcat alumni.

Looking ahead, our theme "Back to the Basics, Moving Forward" serves as a guiding principle for our future endeavors. It signifies a return to the core values that have sustained us while embracing innovation and progress. In this spirit, we are committed to preserving our cherished traditions while actively creating new norms that align with the evolving needs of our members and the broader community.

This is an exciting time for us as an association. We are committed to creating new norms that will elevate our engagement with each other and strengthen the ties between our alumni and the university. By embracing innovation and staying ahead of the curve, we will foster a vibrant community where every member has a voice and feels empowered to contribute. However, in doing so, we must also honor and preserve the traditions that have made the FVSUNAA the strong, supportive network that it is today. These traditions are not just historical markers but living legacies that guide and inspire us in our service to Fort Valley State University.

Together, we will continue to build upon the work of those who have come before us, and as we move into this new chapter, I am confident that we will create a future that is filled with continued success and profound impact. I encourage each of you to engage, stay connected, and actively participate in shaping the future of our association. Together, we will advance the mission of FVSU, support our alma mater, and honor the Wildcat spirit that binds us all.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication, and I look forward to working with each of you as we move forward Back to the Basics while creating a future that honors our past and builds a new legacy for generations to come.

With Wildcat Pride,

Garren M. Walker '22
28th National President
Fort Valley State University National Alumni Association, Inc.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Sarita Miles DeWitt is recognized as a dedicated servant leader with over 30 years of experience in IT, corporate, church, and community leadership. A 1988 graduate of Fort Valley State College with a degree in Computer Information Systems, she also holds an MBA in Information Systems and a master’s certificate in Project Management. As the Director of Global Quality Engineering, Application Delivery, and Release Management at Thryv Holdings Inc., a software company based in Grapevine, TX, her career exemplifies her exceptional skills as a strategic thinker, visionary leader, clear communicator, decisive motivator, adept merger/acquisition integrator, and global resource mobilizer.

    She remains genuinely committed to Fort Valley State University since her graduation, generously contributing her time, expertise, and financial resources. She has served in multiple capacities, including membership on the Department of Computer Science Advisory Board, established by Dr. Lillie Ward, and long-term involvement with the Ralph P. Malone Youth Motivational Task Force. A Life Member of the FVSUNAA, Inc., Sarita is also a devoted member of the DeKalb Chapter, where she served as Immediate Past President for two terms. Her enduring passion for Fort Valley State University, its students, and its alumni shines through her unwavering dedication and service.

    Sarita is deeply devoted to serving both God and her community. She is a Certified Lay Servant and Worship Leader at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Decatur, GA, where she has taken on numerous leadership roles, including Chair of the Finance Committee, SPPRC Chair, and Marriage Ministry leader. Her commitment extends beyond the church as she occasionally volunteers to serve meals at a women’s shelter. In her local community, Sarita has mentored young people and demonstrated her leadership abilities as President and Vice-President of the Homeowners Association. Her dedication reflects her passion for faith, service, and making a positive impact in the lives of others.

    Family is the cornerstone of her life and the source of her greatest joy.  She and her husband, Nick DeWitt, have shared 37 wonderful years together and are proud parents to three sons. As a loving grandmother and favorite auntie,  Sarita cherishes her close-knit family. Fort Valley State University holds a special place in their hearts, with nine immediate family members, including two sons and a daughter-in-love, carrying on the blue and gold legacy.

    She has two personal mantras for life.  The first is “Be Strong, Be Courageous, Be Joyful, Be Kind - God is with me and will make me prosperous.".  The second is pray like it all depends on God and work like it all depends on me.


  • Hometown: Oglethorpe, Georgia

    1976–Graduate of Macon County High School, Montezuma, GA

    1978–Entered Fort Valley State College

    1982–Graduated with B.A. degree in Criminal Justice

    1983-1987–Parole Officer for GA State Board of Pardons and Paroles

    1988-2012–U.S. Air Force Civil Service, Contract Specialist/Contracting Officer

    Began serving with FVSUNAA, Inc. in the early 1990’s in Macon County Area Alumni Chapter.

    Later joined the Warner Robins Area Alumni Chapter and became a lifetime member in the early 2000’s.

    In 2021, became affiliated with Macon County Area Alumni Chapter.

    Currently serves as Macon County Area Alumni Chapter secretary, chair of Scholarship Committee, and chair of Bylaws Committee.

    Serves the FVSUNAA, Inc. as a member of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, District #2 Representative, and chair of Audit Committee.

    Reside in Montgomery, Alabama.


  • Ms. Kasie Swayne, a Spring 2008 graduate of Fort Valley State University, holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from FVSU and a Master of Science in Operations Research from the Florida Institute of Technology. Ms. Swayne commenced her professional career in 2007 as a Financial Management Co-op at Robins Air Force Base, where she demonstrated exceptional proficiency in cost analysis, research, and financial management. Her contributions led to a 17-year tenure, culminating in her appointment as Chief Financial Officer of a significant Air Force program. In 2024, Ms. Swayne transitioned to the Internal Revenue Service, where she currently serves as the Branch Chief for the Business Performance and Analysis Branch within the Human Capital Office. 

    Since graduating, Ms. Swayne has been actively involved in supporting and giving back to Fort Valley State University. She served as a consultant for the Ralph P. Malone Task Force from 2008 to 2018, contributing to the career development office’s annual recruitment efforts. Additionally, she has conducted workshops for the McNair program and the Career Development office on essential topics such as resume building, interview preparation, and career planning. Currently, she is an adjunct professor in the business department and actively participates in the business advisory board, guiding the curriculum development and fostering the advancement of the business department. 

    Ms. Swayne remains committed to fostering opportunities for support to FVSU students and other Black women pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Through her business endeavors, she has established an academic award program that provides additional financial assistance to Black women enrolled at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who are studying in STEM disciplines. In the past two years, she has awarded five academic awards. 

    Her motto is “Today’s accomplishments were yesterday’s impossibilities.” 


  • Joshua Brown is a 31-year-old native of Macon, GA. He is a 2016 graduate of THE Fort Valley State University where he obtained his bachelor's in criminal justice.  While at FVSU, he served as the Lead Student Recruiter for the university, Blue Machine Marching Band President, Student Ambassador Vice President, President of the African American Male Initiative (AAMI), Charter Brother for the FVSU Chapter of the Colligate 100 and President of the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. 

    Upon his graduation from FVSU, Brown went to work in the law enforcement sector and is currently employed with the state of Georgia, as a Special Agent and recently completed the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Special Agent Academy. 

    Brown is currently pursuing his master's degree in Criminology at Georgia Southern University. 

    Brown is an active member of Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church,  the Vice President of The Sound and The Fury Alumni Band Association (BMMB) and an Assistant Head Coach of a championship little league football team in Macon, GA.  


  • Colette Towles is a dedicated scholar with a strong background in mathematics, engineering, and radiochemistry. A former CDEP Scholar at Fort Valley State University, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics (Class of 2022) and later obtained a Master of Science degree in Materials and Nuclear Engineering at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Class of 2024). Currently pursuing a PhD in Radiochemistry at UNLV, she is committed to advancing research in the nuclear nonproliferation field. Beyond academics, Colette has a strong history of leadership and service, having served as Miss Junior and Miss Second Attendant at FVSU. She now continues her commitment to her alma mater as the District IV Representative for the FVSU National Alumni Association. 

  • Phyllis Smith Walker is a native of Marshallville, Macon County, Georgia. She is a member of Fort Valley State College (University) Class of 1977, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education.

    Phyllis is a 2015 retiree from Robins Air Force Base as a Supervisory Human Resources Specialist with the Air Force Reserve Command, Air Reserve Technician (ART) Officer Career Management Program. 

    In May 2016, Phyllis began working parttime for the Association as the Administrative Assistant where she takes great joy and pride working with, and providing assistance to alumni, students, and the university.  She has been actively involved with the Association since the 1990s, serving at the local and national levels.

    Phyllis is the proud mother of two and the doting grandmother of six. She is an active member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Marshallville, Georgia, a life member of Fort Valley State University National Alumni Association, Inc., active member of the Macon County Area Alumni Chapter, a 2024 inductee in the National Alumni Association Hall of Fame, and an active member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Delta Pi Sigma Alumnae Chapter.


  • Jacqueline McLendon, a native of southeast Georgia, is the daughter of Talmadge and Betty Stuckey-McLendon. Being the eldest child, values of responsibility, loyalty, and thoroughness were instilled. Upon graduating from high school, she matriculated at The Fort Valley State College earning a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology. Principles instilled while growing up were guideposts for her as a young adult when she entered the work world after graduate studies at the University of Georgia. She began a career as a Food Technologist in the field of food manufacturing as a Food Microbiologist. Currently Jacqueline is employed as the corporate Food Safety & Quality Assurance Auditor with Bakkavor USA working remotely out of the company’s Charlotte, NC headquarters. This decades long career includes stints with Fortune 200 companies such as Procter & Gamble, The Hershey Company, and The Coca-Cola Company and with the world’s largest privately held employer, Cargill, Inc. She has held management roles in Product Supply and Field Operations platforms. This hard work, determination, and the drive for excellence are characteristics which define her work ethic. 

    These same characteristics are carried through with her involvement in organizations where she is a member and with the church. She has been active with the Saint Stephen Missionary Baptist Church of East Point serving as a member of the Christian Women in Action. She also participated in various church functions and programs. 

    Jacqueline is loyal and dedicated to her alma mater. She is a Life Member of the Fort Valley State University National Alumni Association. In addition to holding membership, she has served in leadership roles with both local chapters and on the national level of the National Alumni Association. Currently she is serving as the National Recording Secretary which happens to be her fourth term on the NAA’s Board of Directors. 

    During her leisure time, Jacqueline enjoys cooking and reading. She also likes to fish, travel and following the FVSU Wildcat football team both at home and on the road during the season. Jacqueline strives to work to ensure that Fort Valley State University remains a viable institution of higher learning for future generations 

  • I am Kederick, a 27-year-old native of Camilla, GA, and a 2020 graduate of Fort Valley State University with a B.S. in Computer Science. I also hold a Master of Science in Information Technology and am currently pursuing my Ed.D. in Curriculum Studies at Georgia Southern University.

    During my time at FVSU, I was actively involved in student leadership, serving in the Student Government Association as a Senator, Director of Housing, and Chief Justice. I also had the honor of serving in the Royal Court as Mr. Sophomore.

    Beyond student government, I was involved in various campus organizations, including the FVSU Choir, Black Men With Initiative, the Resident Assistant program, Boys to Men, and New Student Orientation Leaders.

    After graduation, I started my professional career at Robins Air Force Base, where I worked for a year before transitioning into education as a Network Technician. After two years in that role, I moved to the certified side of education and currently work in instructional technology.


  • Miriam Love is a native of Perry, Georgia. Miriam graduated from Perry High School in 1974, Fort Valley State College in 1979 with a degree in Mathematics Education, Central Michigan University in 2001, earning a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction and in 2008 she earned an Educational Specialist from Central Michigan University in Education Leadership. Her Certifications include Educational Leadership, Teacher Support and Coaching Specialist, Coaching Endorsement, and Mathematics, which are all valid until 2051. Miriam is a National School Reform Faculty Member. Miriam is a multifaceted educator with a broad range of managerial and technical abilities which she uses to develop and improve educational programs. Her proven leadership and teamwork building skills are inherent character traits that contributed to her success as a 38-year veteran educator. During these years, she used her knowledge and experience to plan and present staff development courses, manage special projects, create, and implement new policies, and plan and execute budget requirements. She is a people – oriented leader who is known for motivating parents, students, teachers, and staff to become actively involved in the education process. Her love for teaching is inspired by trusting and believing that teaching is a gift from God, and each of us that has received this gift must use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace (1 Peter 4:10). Miriam believes that to be a good teacher you must be willing to serve. “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and is lacking in daily food, you must help them because faith without work is dead” (James 2:14-17).

    Miriam married Col. Anthony N. Love, 50 years ago and their union have been blessed with three children (Anthony, Marnita, and Kyle) and eight impressive grandchildren. Being married to retired Army Colonel Anthony Love gave Miriam the opportunity to live in two foreign countries (Korea and Japan), and four different states (Missouri, New Jersey, Virginia, and Georgia). Her travels provided real-life experiences that made her an outstanding educator who respects diversity and continuous life-long learning opportunities. During these 38 years Love served as a teacher, Child Development Coordinator, Homebound teacher, Coordinated Vocational Academic Education Coordinator, Freshman Academy Instructional Coach, Great Effective Teacher Leader, Instructional Facilitator, and Department Chair.

    Throughout her career Miriam Love have been awarded the following awards: Support Staff of the Year, Teacher Lifetime Achievement Award, Teacher of the Year (Four different schools), Star Teacher, Teacher of the Year Nominee (Five years North Clayton High School), Star Teacher, Teacher of the Quarter (Three different schools), Teacher of the Month (Three different schools), Nominated for Channel 2 Thanks to Teachers Excellence Award – Decatur High, EXTRA Mile Teacher Award – City Decatur Schools, Department of Defense Award - Taegu, Korea Award for service in school improvement, Education Achievement Award - 100 Black Men, Incorporated of South Metro, and Who’s Who Among American Teachers Selected in 1996, 2002, and 2005. Before starting her career, Miriam was a member of Beta Kappa Chi National Honor Society and Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society and graduated Cum Laude from Fort Valley State University.

    After retirement in 2017, Miriam Love continued her service using her philosophy of education to support the mission of the Fort Valley State University National Alumni Association, Incorporated through service, mentorship, and financial support. Miriam has served as the Chair of Georgia Alumni Association of Historical Black Universities Legislative Conference, Chair of the Hunt-Bond-Troup Scholarship Banquet, Chair of the Blue & Gold Circle Awards Banquet, and the 2021 FVSUNAA, Inc Mini Conference. She is presently serving on three committees: Constitution and By Laws Committee, One Love Picnic Committee, and the Awards and Recognitions Planning Committee. Mrs. Love is a lifetime member of the Fort Valley State University National Alumni Association and have received the Blue and Gold Circle Award and is a member of the FVSU National Alumni Hall of Fame. Miriam Love is currently the President of the Southern Crescent Alumni Chapter and have served in that position for over ten years. She is presently serving as the Regional/District Representative for the Fort Valley University Alumni District I and is a member of the FVSU National Alumni Association Board.

    As a dedicated Alum, Miriam believes we must remember that serving others may not always be easy but is a requirement for living a blessed life.