Dr. Joseph E. Heyward, former provost, and Dr. Lee A. Vickers, former president of Francis Marion University, signed the charter agreement that established the FMU African American Faculty and Staff Coalition on February 24, 1995. Our purpose is to stimulate and enhance cultural awareness, to promote professional development and welfare among faculty, staff, and students.

Our goals include:

• Increasing morale and communication among members
• Creating an atmosphere of community for FMU African American faculty, staff, and students
• Serving as a liaison between the administrative personnel of FMU and the African American faculty and staff
• Examining the university’s efforts in recruitment and retention of African American faculty and staff, and recognizing we play a vital role in contributing to the educational growth of minority students

Our motto, “Together We Can” puts truth into action.

We feel that we have a responsibility to provide guidance, support and financial assistance to qualifying FMU African American students.

With the support and encouragement of President L. Fred Carter, the FMU Administration, our ardent members, and faithful supporters, we are able to award four named scholarships. Given the assistance of generous donors we’ve been able to increase the number of our scholarships.

Recognized AAFSC Scholarships:

• Dr. Joseph E. Heyward Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Dr. Dorothy M. Harris Graduate Student Scholarship Fund
• Ms. Rebecca S. Lunn Scholarship Fund
• Dr. Leroy “Pete” Peterson Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Mrs. Yvonne G. Davis Community Service Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Dr. Alfreda Campbell-Wilson Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Mrs. Linda M. Sullen Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Mr. Carlton Sellers Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Mr. Steven C. Sims-Brewton Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Bishop Donald Jackson – Young Gifted and Blessed Scholarship
• Ms. Yvette Hammonds Pierce Graduate Fellowship
• Mr. H. Vashon Brown Endowed Scholarship Fund

• The Joyce M. Durant Endowed Chair in African & African American Studies (2014)
• Rannie D. Gamble – Recipient of the Honorary Doctorate of Humanities (2015)
• Dr. Linda M. Sullen – Recipient of Honorary Doctorate of Humanities (2023)
• Steven C. Sims-Brewton – Recipient of the Betty Jean Windham Greer Endowed Chair in Library Science (2024)